REAL ESTATE AND REAL ESTATE FINANCE
The firm’s Real Estate and Real Estate Finance department has earned a reputation of providing quality services at reasonable prices in varied aspects of real estate law. We represent clients in the acquisition, sale, leasing, development and financing of residential, office, industrial retail projects and community associations. Clients include developers, syndicators, landlords, tenants, lenders, sellers and investors.
Real Estate and Real Estate Finance Attorneys
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David S. MandelManaging Partner
David S. Mandel
Managing Partner
Background
David Mandel is the firm’s managing partner and chairman of its Real Estate department. His practice is focused on the areas of Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions, Leasing and Finance, Commercial Transactions and Corporate law.
His real estate practice includes representation of national and regional retail tenants, as well as national, regional and local shopping center owners and developers. He also represents landlords and tenants in office and industrial leasing matters, borrowers and lenders in commercial loan transactions, buyers and sellers of commercial properties and apartment complexes and developers of both traditional and condominium type residential communities and shopping centers.
Mr. Mandel has also recently acted as local counsel for a Pension fund in connection with their acquisition of a portfolio of nine shopping centers. In addition to his real estate representation, he represents non real estate business clients in corporate and transactional matters, advising them on a wide variety of issues including business formations, employment agreements, shareholder and partnership agreements, corporate reorganizations and mergers and acquisitions.
Mr. Mandel has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Education
- Villanova University, B.S. in Economics, cum laude, 1974
- Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 1977
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Philadelphia Bar Association
- International Council of Shopping Centers
Awards
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyer® 2004 – 2015
- Recipient, Villanova University Economics Department Adam Smith Award, 1974
Presentations and Publications
- Mr. Mandel has taught several seminars at conferences for the International Council of Shopping Centers, of which he is a member, including “The Duty to Mitigate Damages–Does it Exist?”, “Common Area Maintenance–What’s Hot, What’s Not”, and “A Half Baked Idea?–Issues Arising from the Purchase, Sale and Financing of a Shopping Center Under Construction”
- Mr. Mandel has also lectured at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute Real Estate
Contact
David S. Mandel, Esquire
Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP
The Bellevue
200 South Broad Street, Suite 600
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.790.0100
215.790.0509 (fax)
dmandel@astorweiss.com
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Stephen H. GreenOf Counsel
Stephen H. Green
Of Counsel
Background
Stephen Green is Of Counsel to the Firm. His practice is focused in the areas of business, real estate, tax and estate planning, administration, and litigation. Among other representations, he has taken companies public and has helped neighborhood family business be sold. He has handled large commercial real estate transactions as well as home purchases. He administers estates of all sizes and has litigated large estate matters. He prepares simple Wills and sophisticated estate plans.
Education
- Lafayette College, A.B., Phi Beta Kappa
- Columbia University Law School, J.D.
- New York University Law School, LLM in Taxation
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- The United States Tax Court
Professional Affiliations
- Former chair of Philadelphia Bar Association Fee Disputes Committee
- Lecturer in Continuing Legal Education seminars
- Former member of the Boards of the Support Center for Child Advocates, the Philadelphia Association for Retarded Citizens, and the Friends
Neighborhood Guild
- Former President of the Associated Alumni of Central High School, Philadelphia
- Lecturer on business law at two area colleges
Presentations and Publications
- Guardianship in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Bar Institute Article
- “Activism and the Tax Status of Exempt Organizations”, Pennsylvania Bar Quarterly Article
- “Understanding Estate Planning and Wills” authored by Stephen H. Green
- “Willmaking”, article in the the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Contact
Stephen H. Green, Esquire
Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP
The Bellevue
200 South Broad Street, Suite 600
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.790.0100
215.790.0509 (fax)
sgreen@astorweiss.com
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Paul C. AstorSenior Partner
Paul C. Astor
Senior Partner
Background
Paul Astor is the senior partner and chair of the firm and its executive committee. Mr. Astor founded the firm in 1954. Today, his practice is focused on the areas of Corporate and Commercial Law, Trusts and Estates, Real Estate Law and Domestic Relations.
Mr. Astor has held several positions with multiple government agencies, including serving as special counsel to the Governor of Pennsylvania, helping to bring Volkswagen’s manufacturing plant into the Commonwealth, and serving as special counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Lottery Division. Mr. Astor has served as Chairman of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Law Day and has chaired its Public Relations Committee.
Education
- Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, B.S. in Economics, 1951
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1954
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
- The Brandeis Law Society
- Philadelphia Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Awards
- Recipient of “Lifetime Achievement” Award of American Associates of Ben Gurion University, November 2007
- American Heart Association, honoree
- Chairman’s Circle, Abramson Center for Jewish Life
- Legacy Society, Federation of Jewish Agencies
Community Involvement
- Served on the advisory Board of Hudson United Bank and is counsel and Director of WEAZ-FM Radio, Inc. (B101)
- Served as President and was named Honorary President of the Justice Lodge of B’Nai B’rith
- Honorary Director of the Abramson Center for Jewish Life (formerly Philadelphia Geriatric Center)
- Serves as a Director on the Leadership Council of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania
- Associate Chairman and Founder of American Associates of Ben Gurion, University of Negev
- Director on National Board of AABGU & Chairman of its Governance Committee
- Trustee of the Federation of Jewish Agencies
- Supporting member of the National Liberty Museum
- Supporting member of the Academy of Music
- Supporting Philadelphia Opera Company
- Served as President of Men’s Club, Temple Beth Hillel-Beth-El and served as Board Member
- Co-Chairman (2 years) Federation “Circle of Partners”
Presentations and Publications
- Served on panels (seminars on Ethics and Law) at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and Villanova Law School
Contact
Paul C. Astor, Esquire
Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP
The Bellevue
200 South Broad Street, Suite 600
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.790.0100
215.790.0509 (fax)
pastor@astorweiss.com
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Bradley D. O’BrienPartner
Bradley D. O’Brien
Partner
Background
Bradley O’Brien is an attorney with the firm, with his practice focused on Commercial Lending and other banking transactions. Mr. O’Brien has represented both lenders and borrowers, as well as serving as special transactional counsel to various financial institutions.
Education
- Temple University, B.A. – Political Science, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, President’s Scholar
- Dickinson School of Law, J.D., 1980
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Business and Commercial Finance Section
Contact
Bradley D. O’Brien, Esquire
Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP
The Bellevue
200 South Broad Street, Suite 600
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.790.0100
215.790.0509 (fax)
bobrien@astorweiss.com
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Jerrold V. MossSpecial Counsel
Jerrold V. Moss
Special Counsel
Background
Jerrold “Jim” Moss is Special Counsel to the firm, with his practice focused in the areas of civil litigation and business transactions. Mr. Moss represents clients involved in commercial disputes, personal injury claims and general business transactions. His clients have included advertising agencies, condominium associations, artists and arts organizations, medical providers and law firms. Mr. Moss has established “new law” through arguments to appellate courts. Before joining the firm, he chaired the litigation department at Rubin Quinn Moss & Patterson.
Education
- Pennsylvania State University, B. A.
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, J. D.
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- U. S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
- Served on Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association
- Served on Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
- Served as President of the Government Study Commission (which drafted the Home Rule Charter of Cheltenham Township)
- Served on Cheltenham Township Zoning Board
Community Involvement
- Served as Vice President, Society Hill Civic Association
- Serves as President of Council, Society Hill Towers Owners Association
- Serves as Counsel and on Executive Committee of Central Delaware Advocacy Group
- Served on Mayor’s Central Delaware Riverfront Advisory Group
- Served on Board of Directors of Muse Gallery
- Served on Board of Directors of Cheltenham Center for the Arts
Presentations and Publications
- Mr. Moss taught Business Law at Spring Garden College
Contact
Jerrold V. Moss, Esquire
Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP
The Bellevue
200 South Broad Street, Suite 600
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.790.0100
215.790.0509 (fax)
jmoss@astorweiss.com
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Ronald B. GlazerOf Counsel
Ronald B. Glazer
Of Counsel
Background
Ronald B. Glazer is of counsel to the firm and a member of the Real Estate Business & Financing groups. He concentrates his practice in all types of development and investment real estate, creation and operation of condominium and homeowners’ associations, joint ventures and structuring mixed-use projects. He handles acquisition, sale, leasing, financing, development and operation for owners, developers, leasing and management agents, associations and lenders. Ron’s practice also includes alternative dispute resolution as an arbitrator of disputes. He has been trained as an arbitrator by the American Arbitration Association.
Prior to joining Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP, Mr. Glazer was of counsel to a suburban Philadelphia firm. He previously was a senior partner in WolfBlock LLP’s Real Estate Practice Group.
Mr. Glazer is considered a national authority in the field of condominiums and homeowners’ associations. He has authored a number of published articles on various aspects of real estate law and has chaired panels and lectured for numerous organizations, including the International Council of Shopping Centers, the National Banking Law Institute, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations, the Practicing Law Institute and several commercial program providers.
Education
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, LL.B., cum laude, 1967
- Dickinson College, B.A., cum laude, 1964
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- American College of Real Estate Lawyers
- College of Community Association Lawyers
- International Council of Shopping Centers
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Philadelphia Bar Association, former chair of Real Property Section
Awards
- Best Lawyers of America, included for over 30 years
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
- Whose Who in America
- Whose Who in American Law
- Whose Who in Real Estate
- Chambers USA
Presentations and Publications
- Pennsylvania Condominium Law & Practice, 1975
- Pennsylvania Condominium Law & Practice, 2d Ed., 1981
- Pennsylvania Community Association Law & Practice, 2009
Contact
Ronald B. Glazer, Esquire
Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP
The Bellevue
200 South Broad Street, Suite 600
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.790.0100
215.790.0509 (fax)
rglazer@astorweiss.com
Acquisitions and Sales
Representing clients in the purchase and sale of commercial real estate includes the drafting, reviewing and negotiating of letters of intent, purchase and sale agreements and conveyance documents.
When representing purchasers of commercial real estate, we also negotiate and review financial documents and provide our clients with a detailed due diligence plan. In helping our clients navigate through the due diligence process we will review title and survey matters, environmental matters and all other property evaluation documents. Additionally, we will also review, to the extent necessary, condominium documents, lease agreements and provide our clients with a summary of the relevant laws and ordinances in the jurisdictions where the property to be purchased is located.
Whether our clients are purchasing or selling commercial property, our goal is to guide our clients through the transaction process by maximizing our client’s information base so that they can make informed decisions and document the transaction to provide our clients with all necessary protections.
Our firm has represented clients in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania through numerous sales and purchases, including the purchase and subsequent sales of shopping centers, commercial condominiums, apartment buildings, strip malls, industrial complexes and stand-alone commercial structures.
Financing
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Representation of borrowers in various types of real estate loan transactions
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Syndications
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Sale-leasebacks
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Representation of institutional and private lenders in acquisition and construction loan transactions
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Loans to condominium co-op and homeowners associations
Residential
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Representation of developers and purchasers in connection with new construction
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Representation of homeowners and condominium associations
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Counseling of clients in connection with the purchase and sale of existing housing
Community Association Law
In addition to preparing and updating documents to govern condominiums, planned communities and cooperatives, we represent developers in connection with turnover of control and construction defect litigation.
We represent individual and small groups of unit owners in connection with disputes as to how the association is being run and how unit owners are being treated.
We also represent associations in connection with implementation of the turnover of control from the developer, operation of the association, rights of the association and the unit owners, counseling and providing documentation for implementation of association policies (such as collections, access to records, transparency, dealing with troublemakers and issues under the Fair Housing Laws including discrimination and dealing with handicapped persons) and negotiation and preparation of management agreements.
Development
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Counseling of clients and the preparation of documents regarding the form of ownership, such as subdivisions, condominiums, co-ops or planned communities
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Negotiations of contracts with architects and contractors
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Declaration of condominiums for residential, commercial and industrial projects
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Joint venture agreements
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Development agreements
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Reciprocal easement agreements
Leasing
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Extensive representation of both landlords and tenants in retail, office and industrial leasing
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Representation of landlords in tenant eviction matters
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Ground leases
Shopping Center/Retail Development
Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP handles shopping center/retail development transactions on a national basis. Their attorneys have completed development, redevelopment, leasing, and financing transactions for both owners and major retail clients in numerous states, including Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, Illinois, Washington D.C. and Maryland.
We have extensive experience in retail development and redevelopment of shopping centers including conceptualization and entitlement of new shopping centers; acquisition and disposition of existing and partially constructed shopping centers; construction and structured financing of shopping centers; tenant relocation; real property management; leasing and lease administration; construction administration; use restrictions and tenant exclusives; parking, access, visibility and signage rights; operating covenants; co-tenancy matters; percentage rent requirements; complex construction, operation and reciprocal easement agreements; joint development agreements; recapture/acquisition rights agreements; and retail condominium developments.
Our attorneys have worked on all types of retail shopping center transactions, including:
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Target, Wal-Mart, Lowe’s and Home Depot anchored shopping centers
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Community grocer anchored shopping centers
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Movie theatre and entertainment complex transactions
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Power centers, mixed use projects, and urban shopping centers
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Free-standing drug store projects
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Free-standing fitness centers for national tenants
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De-malling transactions
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Landlord and tenant retail leasing, ranging from anchor and junior anchor leases, to pad leases, to urban location leases, to mall leases, to leases of in-line space
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Restaurant leasing and liquor license transactions
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Sale of retail assets out of bankruptcy
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Redevelopment transactions involving significant public inducements, PILOTS and incentives
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Joint ventures with retail shopping center REITs
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Structured finance, construction and mezzanine financing of shopping centers
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REIT formation and TICS