Herrick’s Israel Practice

The lawyers in Herrick’s Israel Practice deliver comprehensive legal services to Israeli clients who pursue investment and business opportunities in the U.S. Our practice draws upon the collective strength of our corporate, tax, real estate, government relations and litigation lawyers, who use their extensive experience to guide clients through the complex legal issues and transaction structures inherent in cross-border investments. Herrick’s Israel Practice is an integral part of our broader international experience.

Our lawyers have close relationships with leading Israeli law and accounting firms, which allow for close collaboration and coordination of legal services. As a result of these relationships, we are able to confidently refer clients and contacts, and help make valuable connections when needed. We also add value, whenever possible, by introducing clients to joint venture partners, financing sources and investment opportunities. Many of our lawyers are fluent in Hebrew, able to conduct business and review documents in Hebrew, and regularly travel between Israel and the U.S. to conduct “on the ground” meetings to enhance client service.

Real Estate

Our real estate lawyers provide Israeli clients with informed U.S. market insights to help further business goals. We have over 90 years of experience in commercial real estate law, close ties to the most prominent real estate players, and proven experience advising non-U.S. investors and developers on U.S. transactions. Many real estate acquisition and development transactions involve joint ventures between developers and equity sources or private equity investments from domestic or international funds. Our lawyers have advised clients on hundreds of these transactions, involving every type of commercial real estate asset.

Investment Funds & Corporate

Our corporate and securities lawyers have practical experience advising Israeli clients on the legal and regulatory issues involved in doing business in the U.S. We regularly advise on a variety of operational, general corporate business and securities law matters. Herrick attorneys also advise clients on the formation of REITS, hedge and private investment funds, and other investment vehicles. We have extensive experience with joint venture and co-investor transactions and can address concerns about investing in the U.S. market as our work is supported by a complement of tax, ERISA, securities and regulatory lawyers available to tackle the most complicated structural issues in a practical and timely manner.

Tax

Our tax lawyers help clients navigate the extremely complex taxation concerns inherent in bringing a business to the U.S. Drawing on a deep understanding of cross-border investment structures, we regularly advise non-U.S. investors on the tax implications of acquisitions and investments in the U.S. Our extensive knowledge of cross-border tax matters allows us to anticipate issues before they arise, thereby helping clients reduce risk and minimize tax burdens at both the business and individual level.

Financing

Our financing team represents a wide array of institutional and non-institutional lenders and borrowers and offers a deep understanding of the intricacies of the origination process, from commitment to closing. Our clients include insurance companies, commercial, investment and private banks, pension funds, specialty lenders, funds as well as investors and borrowers who call on us for a wide range of financings, including bond offerings, portfolio financings, bank offerings, bridge loans, acquisition loans, construction financings, mezzanine loans, syndicated loans and other complex financings.

Art Law

Our art litigation attorneys are recognized throughout the world as leaders in the art recovery area. With a focus on complex art litigation and dispute resolution, and a broad range of corporate and commercial art law experience, we have successfully resolved recovery claims on behalf of foreign governments, museums, the heirs of Holocaust victims, the heirs of famous artists and other claimants, and have recovered hundreds of lost and stolen antiquities and artworks worldwide.

Government Relations

Our Government Relations Group, comprised of a former member of Congress and various former New York City and State officials, provides clients with a full range of government relations capabilities, including political lobbying and assistance with government contracts – all focused on helping our clients expeditiously further their business objectives. Additionally, we provide our clients with access to a broad network of government contacts in order to facilitate new relationships with the U.S. government and its U.S. business leaders.

Litigation

Our litigators understand our clients’ business objectives – protecting their interests is our first priority. Whether a swift resolution is sought or a trial becomes necessary, our lawyers work efficiently to bring about a positive and successful resolution. Our lawyers provide arbitration, negotiation and mediation services in disputes and are well versed in the rules and procedures of leading arbitration institutions in the U.S. and abroad. Additionally, our clients benefit from our extensive experience in state and federal courts and our ability to aggressively litigate a case through both the trial and appellate levels.

Support for Family Offices

Our attorneys have extensive experience in advising family owned real estate businesses with substantial real estate portfolios and have guided clients through a variety of real estate transactions and business issues, as well as a wide range of related legal matters, including wealth preservation, generational transfers, restructurings, succession planning, conflict resolution and the division of family holdings.

Areas of Focus:

• Capital markets technologies
• Data privacy and security
• Employment
• Financings
• Intellectual property
• Joint ventures
• Litigation
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Real estate
• Securities offerings
• Tax
• Venture Capital

Real Estate at Herrick

Established as a real estate boutique in 1928, Herrick maintains one of the country’s largest and most accomplished commercial real estate law practices. From our offices in New York City and Newark, New Jersey, we represent sophisticated owners, developers, lenders, investors and other stakeholders in a diverse range of activities.

Development

Our lawyers and urban planners handle every phase of the development process. Early on, we counsel clients on zoning and due diligence matters, and are actively involved in site acquisitions, assemblages and development rights transactions. We also assist in forming joint ventures, negotiating financing facilitates, and operational aspects of the project, including leasing, property management and condominium law concerns.

Acquisitions and Sales

We counsel clients in the acquisition and sale of commercial real estate across the U.S. Our lawyers have extensive experience in local and national transactions, including single asset and portfolio transactions, and are known for developing practical legal solutions that help clients realize hidden value. From a trophy office building acquisition to the sale of boutique hotel, you can rely on our ability to effectively structure and close the most complex deal.

Land Use and Zoning

Our lawyers and urban planners assist clients with zoning changes, special permits, variances, development rights transfers, landmarks proceedings, tax abatements and economic development initiatives. We have broad experience handling government approvals, and leading rezoning applications through the New York City Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. We also help clients address environmental risks by conducting due diligence, providing compliance counseling, and assisting with regulatory permitting and approvals.

Public Private Partnerships (P3s)

We represent developers, investors, government entities, not-for-profits, lenders and contractors through all phases of P3 transactions, including the development of procurement requests for governmental entities, crafting procurement responses for project sponsors and their investors, structuring financing arrangements, negotiating construction and management contracts, and executing dispositions and restructurings.

Government Relations

Our government relations group, which includes elected and appointed officials at the federal, state and local level, guides clients in all phases of the legislative and administrative process, including representation at all New York City agencies and entities that oversee commercial real estate development and activity.

Commercial Leasing

We regularly represent high-profile landlords and tenants in retail and office leasing, sale leaseback transactions and complex ground leases for retail, commercial and industrial properties. From small office spaces to entire building leases, you can rely on us to guide you through every phase of your transaction – from term sheet to move-in.

Real Estate Finance

We represent a wide array of institutional and non-institutional lenders and borrowers in mortgage, construction, mezzanine and other finance transactions, and offer a deep understanding of the intricacies of the origination process, from commitment to closing. We also counsel institutional clients on the due diligence, purchase and sale of commercial loan portfolios and loan participation interests.

Cooperatives and Condominiums

We are active in all areas of cooperative and condominium law, particularly issues requiring more sophisticated representation, such as multi-faceted transactions, litigation and investigations by governmental agencies, including the New York State Attorney General’s Office. We regularly help developers navigate public offerings of new construction and conversion projects, development rights sales, and the structuring of complex transactions such as the creation of condominiums to separate ownership interests in individual buildings. We also represent lenders in assessing loans for potential condominium projects, and frequently advise on problematic issues once a loan is made.

Real Estate Litigation

Our litigators are steeped in the industry, so we work smarter and faster than general litigators, who need to get up to speed on complex real estate matters. We also have an ingrained sense of the deal – which allows us to aggressively defend your interests, both in and out of court. Our litigators also stay at the forefront of trends in dispute resolution and case law. For example, for the past 27 years one of our partners has penned the New York Law Journal’s weekly column on real estate case law. Another one of our partners authored the book New Jersey Foreclosure Law, a seminal treatise that is regularly used by New Jersey’s judges and legal practitioners.

Loan Workouts, Restructurings and Foreclosures

Lenders, borrowers, investors, special servicers and other stakeholders rely on our experience to facilitate the restructuring and recovery of real estate assets. We also represent portfolio managers in acquiring, restructuring and foreclosing real estate loans, and in selling and leasing acquired properties.

Joint Ventures

As the number of participants in a transaction grows, so too does the need for experienced counsel. Our attorneys work closely with the principals to structure their relationship starting at acquisition, and on through the development, construction and financing stages.

Recent Accolades:

• One of Chambers USA’s top 15 New York real estate law firms
• Law 360’s “Top 100” U.S. based law firms with the most global real estate partners
• Ranked for excellence in real estate law and land use and zoning law, US Legal 500
• Named a “real estate powerhouse” by Crain’s New York Business
• Named a Tier 1 firm in New York City for Real Estate Law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 2020; and ranked nationally for Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning Law and Real Estate – Litigation 2020.
• One of New York City’s largest commercial real estate law firms (The Real Deal, 2015-2019)