Department profile
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

Real Estate: Corporate

USA Guide 2026 : New York


Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

Real Estate: 
The practice counsels clients on the acquisition and disposition of single assets and portfolios, distressed real estate and workouts, mortgage and mezzanine financing and restructuring, development and construction, leasing, joint ventures, real estate investment trusts, and real estate litigation. 

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Real Estate: Corporate - New York


What the Team is Known For

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is frequently sought for guidance on some of New York City's largest and highest value developments. The firm provides stellar service in a wide variety of real estate transactions, from joint venture formations to acquisitions and dispositions. The team is noted for its quality land use and zoning practice and offers additional expertise in assisting clients on a spectrum of real estate project issues, including related litigation.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson currently represent RXR on a multi-billion dollar joint venture to develop a brand-new international terminal at JFK Airport in Queens, New York.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Fried, Frank is incredibly sophisticated. The breadth of their knowledge and experience in litigation is unmatched.

    Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Fried, Frank's land use team is the strongest in NYC right now.

    Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Fried, Frank has a unique combination of preeminent practitioners in all areas of real estate law, from land use to dirt to financing, combined with qualified and deep benches for support.

    Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleMelanie Meyers
    Senior StatespeopleMelanie Meyers

    Melanie Meyers

    Melanie Meyers has significant experience counseling major developers and commercial clients on zoning and land use matters.

  • Star IndividualsJonathan L Mechanic
    Star IndividualsJonathan L Mechanic

    Jonathan L Mechanic

    Jonathan Mechanic is regularly sought out by clients for his depth of experience across a wide variety of real estate matters, offering particular strength in high value acquisitions and development concerns.

    • He is truly the best in the business. No one compares.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Jon Mechanic, in particular, is an exceptional lawyer and a true leader. His ability to structure complicated deals is unmatched in my experience working with major firms across the country.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Jon is the top real estate lawyer in New York.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Jon Mechanic is omnipresent in the market.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Jon Mechanic is the dean of real estate. His practice has been highly successful for at least thirty years.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 1David Karnovsky
    Band 1David Karnovsky

    David Karnovsky

    David Karnovsky is frequently engaged to advise on land use and zoning concerns relating to high profile development matters.

    • David is a legend in his field. His knowledge coupled with his thoughtful delivery sets him apart!

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • David is knowledgeable, empathetic and a trusted colleague.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • David is one of the best in the business for land use work.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • David's expertise and experience in the New York City land use process is second to none and he has been a stellar resource.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 1Janice Mac Avoy
    Band 1Janice Mac Avoy

    Janice Mac Avoy

    Janice Mac Avoy co-heads the firm's real estate litigation group and is recognized for her extensive experience in the full range of real estate-related litigation matters.

    • Janice is always my first call for real estate litigation issues in New York.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Janice is a terrific litigator, she is very experienced and knowledgeable in this field.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Janice has decades of experience and is well-versed and highly regarded in this area.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 1Matthew Parrott
    Band 1Matthew Parrott

    Matthew Parrott

    Matthew Parrott is a respected practitioner who co-heads the firm's real estate litigation practice and routinely advises on high stakes finance-related disputes.

    • Matt is my go-to litigator for complex cases.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Because of Matthew's work in the courtroom, we were able to successfully execute on everything much quicker than we thought.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Matthew has strong client relationships and market influence.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Matthew did a perfect job from my standpoint.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Matthew is top-tier in high value litigation.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 1Robert J Sorin
    Band 1Robert J Sorin

    Robert J Sorin

    Robert Sorin is noted for his experience acting for real estate investment trusts on acquisitions, dispositions and leasing. He offers expertise in handling projects including retail, hospitality and office developments.
    • Rob has a sterling reputation.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Rob is best in class.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • He makes the process non-stressful.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 2Adam Endick
    Band 2Adam Endick

    Adam Endick

    Adam Endick represents a varied client base in an array of property concerns, including acquisition, development and leasing transactions.

    • Adam is super-smart and easy to work with.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Adam is a superb attorney and a kind smart man. He always engages with clear thought and organized ideas. We know we are well taken care of with him and his team.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 2Michael Barker
    Band 2Michael Barker

    Michael Barker

    Michael Barker regularly acts as lender's counsel to investors on a range of complex transactional matters. He offers substantial expertise in acquisitions and dispositions and complex financings, among other things.
    • Michael is a smart guy who is very deal-oriented and he is a good problem-solver.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Michael is a pleasure to work with and talk to.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Michael has great market knowledge.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 2Michael Vines
    Band 2Michael Vines

    Michael Vines

    Michael Vines is a respected financing lawyer with notable expertise advising clients on complex loan originations.
    • Michael is supremely committed to us and is always available day and night.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Michael is a tremendously hard worker and he is very good at distilling complex issues and advising on things we need to worry about and what not.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Michael gives us very accessible advice and distils complicated advice into explainable solutions.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 2Wallace L Schwartz
    Band 2Wallace L Schwartz

    Wallace L Schwartz

    Wallace Schwartz counsels developers and investors on a variety of sophisticated real estate transactions. He has substantial experience acting in matters including acquisitions and sales, developments and financings.
    • Wally, as the group head, sets the standard for his team and has been one of the most reliable lawyers that we have used.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • I call Wally directly if I have an issue and he is always receptive and responsive.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Wally is a deal-making lawyer. He is practical and thoughtful in his approach, and always available to help make sure deals get done the right way.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 2Zachary Bernstein
    Band 2Zachary Bernstein

    Zachary Bernstein

    Zachary Bernstein is well-regarded in the field of zoning and land use for his work advising clients on a range of complex mandates. He regularly assists real estate firms on the zoning aspects of their development projects.
    • Zach is really creative.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Zach's name is synonymous with real estate deals in the city.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 3Carol Rosenthal
    Band 3Carol Rosenthal

    Carol Rosenthal

    Carol Rosenthal offers great experience handling the land use and zoning aspects of large development projects. She regularly represents both developers and real estate owners.
  • Band 3Emilie Cooper
    Band 3Emilie Cooper

    Emilie Cooper

    Emilie Cooper is highlighted for her strength in advising clients on a wide spectrum of complex commercial disputes in the real estate sector.

    • Emilie is incredibly sophisticated, responsive and has a fantastic approach to strategically resolving issues.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Emilie is the most diligent person I have ever met. She has a great strategic mind and is a great advocate for her clients.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Emilie is a fantastic litigator who has an incredible mind.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 3Fiona Kelly
    Band 3Fiona Kelly

    Fiona Kelly

    Fiona Kelly heads the firm's corporate real estate transactions practice. She advises investors and private equity firms on a range of transactions including joint ventures, acquisitions and development.

    • Fiona is our go-to for global issues and helps us navigate many of our decisions around local counsel, especially in geographies where we are less familiar.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Fiona is smart, up to date, responsive and knowledgeable in the funds space.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 3Michael Werner
    Band 3Michael Werner

    Michael Werner

    Michael Werner co-chair's the firm's real estate department and is well-versed in a wide range of New York commercial real estate matters, including leasing, acquisitions and dispositions.

    • All my dealings with Michael have been very positive. He is reasonable and tough when necessary and bright to deal with.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Michael has a deep breadth of knowledge in multiple parts of the business.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Michael is our go-to real estate attorney. He is smart, commercial and detail-oriented.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • We trust Michael Werner to handle our most critical matters. He has great business sense and technical proficiency.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 3Steven Rudgayzer
    Band 3Steven Rudgayzer

    Steven Rudgayzer

    Steven Rudgayzer is a real estate partner, who focuses his practice on the corporate side of transactions. He is adept at complex joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions for major clients in the industry.

    • Steve is incredibly responsive and makes himself available for urgent issues.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • He has an excellent command of issues and an excellent sense of the market.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • When I talk about commercial and pragmatic, Steven's who I talk about. He is super-smart and efficient and very much understands commercial perspective.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Steven is highly experienced and easy to work with. He gives you direct feedback that is easily digestible for a non-lawyer.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 3Tal Golomb
    Band 3Tal Golomb

    Tal Golomb

    Tal Golomb represents developers, lenders, owners and not-for-profits in the acquisition, development and financing of real estate assets.
    • Tal is a full resource on hard, complex projects.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Tal demonstrates thought and leadership about how to handle complex transactions and complete them.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Tal is a fantastic attorney with a wealth of experience and knowledge about highly specific material that allows our project to thrive.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Band 4Christy Mazzola
    Band 4Christy Mazzola

    Christy Mazzola

    Christy Mazzola is noted for her deft handling of commercial real estate transactions, which includes acquisitions, developments and leasings.

    • Christy thinks outside the box and is constantly available day or night. No deal is too small and no challenge is too great.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Christy is always prepared, knows the issues and is totally focused on the best results for my company.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Christy can break down the crux of a disagreement in layman's terms with practical examples so all parties can respond quickly.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • She is super responsive and deal-focused.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
  • Up and ComingJeremy Kozin
    Up and ComingJeremy Kozin

    Jeremy Kozin

    Jeremy Kozin routinely advises developers and corporations on an array of zoning and land use approvals.

    • Jeremy is so knowledgeable about everything going on and the history of the business.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA
    • Jeremy does an excellent job navigating the details and nuance to provide comprehensive analysis.

      Real Estate: Corporate respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP (19)

New York

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