Investment, Leasing, & Management
When it comes to commercial real estate investment, leasing, and management, our attorneys are particularly proficient in all aspects of the process. From assisting clients in choosing the right properties, to timely and cost-effective closings, Jackson Walker has the skill, experience, and dedication to bring our clients’ vision for the property to fruition.
Our projects range from small pad sites and neighborhood centers, to office buildings and high-rises, to large regional malls and megastores. Our multi-property portfolio practice demands that we are engineered to handle large volume projects, creating efficiencies and big-picture industry knowledge. Whether scaling up or handling one-offs, we will ensure the transaction is handled effectively and efficiently.
We have seen it all, so we know the intricacies of the market and the directions it is moving.
Investment
We represent institutional, commercial, or private investors, as well as REITs, pension funds, and opportunity funds, with a keen ability to perceive and protect the differing objectives of each.
We take seriously our obligation to help clients make an informed decision about what property will best suit their investment goals. Risk tolerance changes depending on the client, the asset type, the project, and the objectives. While we strive to maintain a positive can-do attitude, we also recognize that identifying the “pain points” in any real estate investment is crucial to effective representation.
Leasing
The lease is the lifeline of commercial real estate. Our leasing lawyers are actively engaged in the market and handle hundreds of leases a year for landlords and tenants and for all property types. We are deal makers and pride ourselves on providing practical, creative advice for renting commercial properties to complex, large-scale leasing transactions — no matter the size, term, complexity, property type, or purpose of the lease.
Strong leases adapted to the needs of landlords and tenants that are well-suited for each other can mean the difference between success and failure.
When working with landlords, we are keenly aware of the client’s budget needs and the need for transaction efficiency.
When representing tenants, we pay particular attention to market rent provisions, operating cost pass-throughs, tax issues, and other matters that affect the client’s operating costs. We also look at the tenant’s future, ensuring their rights to adjust lease terms according to the demands of their business.
Due to their hybrid nature between acquisition and leasing, ground leases are unique to the commercial real estate market. They create additional complications such as who receives condemnation awards or insurance proceeds and how financing is handled, as well as issues regarding transfer taxes, SDNAs, use restrictions, and liability. Our attorneys have significant experience in ground leasing and pad site development for developers, restaurants, retailers, and more.
Management
We know how to handle large volume clients effectively and efficiently. We manage their preferences across the portfolio, saving them time and ensuring consistency. Our knowledge and understanding of each particular client helps us avoid problems on the front-end and solve them on the back-end.
Successful management requires a comprehensive understanding of the numerous issues essential for successful leasing. From restrictions to signage rights, parking and access, operating covenants, and reciprocal easements, we excel at ensuring the lease addresses these issues in a way that facilitates ease in management.
- Acted as sole counsel for an office fund that purchased 20 Class A office properties to build a portfolio of over $500 million
- Represented Office REIT on the sale of premier office properties in Houston, D-FW, Albuquerque, Denver, Austin, and New Orleans
- Represented three separate landlords as leasing counsel for office portfolios of 28 million square feet, 2.5 million square feet, and 1.5 million square feet
- Negotiated the bondable lease of an office building of over 1 million square feet, coupled with the construction of the office building
- Negotiated numerous leases of over 250,000 square feet, representing both landlords and tenants
Michael Kuhn Negotiates Lease to Bring NRG Headquarters to 3 Houston Center
Jackson Walker partner Michael Kuhn represented Brookfield Properties in finalizing a lease agreement with Houston-based NRG Energy. This agreement will facilitate the relocation of their headquarters to the newly redeveloped 3 Houston Center by January 2026.
Client Results • October 11, 2023
Michael Kuhn Represents Landlord in Shell Oil Co.’s Lease Renewal at 1000 Main
Jackson Walker partner Michael Kuhn represented Union Investment Real Estate GmbH in an agreement with Shell Trading & Supply North America to renew its lease at 1000 Main, located in Houston’s Central Business District. At 259,000 square feet, the transaction was named the largest lease deal in Houston in 2021.
Client Results • January 24, 2022
Michael Kuhn Handles Lease Negotiations With What If Syndicate Restaurant Group to Join Houston’s Texas Tower
Michael Kuhn negotiated leases with What If Syndicate to bring two restaurants to Texas Tower in downtown Houston. Both leases will total over 8,000 square feet in the 47-story office tower, which topped out in March 2021 and is nearing final completion.
Client Results • December 13, 2021
Michael Kuhn Negotiates Lease to Bring Puttshack to The Shops at Houston Center
Jackson Walker client Brookfield Properties has negotiated a lease to bring Puttshack, an indoor mini-golf entertainment venue, to The Shops at Houston Center. With the venue expected to open in late 2022, Brookfield Properties hopes to draw in Houstonians to the three-level retail destination with a newly renovated and transformed dining and entertainment experience.
Client Results • September 1, 2021
Jackson Walker Represents a Partnership Between Radom Capital and JPMorgan on Leasing for Montrose Collective Mixed-Use Project Coming to Houston
Jackson Walker is representing a partnership between Radom Capital and JPMorgan in leasing the mixed-use project Montrose Collective, which broke ground on February 10 and is expected to be completed in late 2021.
Client Results • February 19, 2020
Michael Kuhn Serves as Landlord Counsel in Politan Row Food Hall Lease at Rice Village
As foodies in Houston anticipate the autumnal opening of the wildly popular food hall Politan Row, Jackson Walker congratulates real estate partner Michael Kuhn on his role as landlord counsel in negotiating the lease at Rice Village.
Client Results • September 10, 2019
‘Houston Business Journal’ Awards Jackson Walker Client NRG for History-Making Sublease
Last year, Jackson Walker successfully represented NRG Energy Inc., a Fortune 500 integrated power company, in the sublease of its new office space at 910 Louisiana in downtown Houston.
Client Results • May 4, 2018
Jackson Walker Represents NRG in Downtown Houston Sublease Transaction
Jackson Walker real estate attorneys Pat Sharkey and Amanda Sheneman successfully represented client NRG Energy, Inc. in the sublease of its new office space at 910 Louisiana tower in downtown Houston.
Client Results • August 24, 2017
In Memoriam: A Tribute to Michael Kuhn
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our friend and partner Michael Kuhn on April 15, 2025. Michael was a cherished member of our team and a beloved friend to many. His contributions to our firm and the legal community were immense, and his presence will be profoundly missed.
Spotlight • May 6, 2025
Jackson Walker Expands Real Estate Financing Practice With Addition of Andrew Ingrum and Michelle Vincent Parker
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the expansion of the Finance & Banking practice with the additions of Andrew A. Ingrum and Michelle Vincent Parker as partners in the Dallas office.
Attorney News • November 3, 2021
Jackson Walker Expands Commercial Leasing Experience With Addition of Fort Worth Partner Travis McNellie
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the addition of Travis W. McNellie as a partner in the Fort Worth office. Joining our Real Estate practice, Travis boosts the Firm’s experience handling commercial leases, particularly involving office and industrial properties, across Texas and the United States.
Attorney News • January 22, 2021
- Retail development
- Land acquisition
- Site selection
- Land use issues
- Construction issues
- Ground leases
- Headquarters leases
- Warehouse and industrial leases
- Manufacturing facility leases
- Subleases
- Office leases
- Turnkey leases
- Build-to-suit leases
