Michael K. Kuhn
Practice Areas
Experience
- Investment, Leasing, & Management
- Office Real Estate
- Restaurant Real Estate
- Retail & Mixed Use Real Estate
Biography
In Memoriam
Our friend and colleague Michael Kuhn passed away on April 14, 2025. Michael was a Board-certified commercial real estate lawyer for 45 years, including 25 years at Jackson Walker. We send our most sincere condolences to his family and friends. Read more about Michael’s legacy of professionalism, mentorship, and friendship.
Michael K. Kuhn focused on commercial real estate, with a particular emphasis on office and retail leasing, within the firm’s Real Estate Group.
Michael brought a wealth of experience and practical knowledge of the local market to the advantage of his real estate clients. Over his career, Michael handled all types of real estate acquisition, disposition, development, and leasing matters. With significant experience in most every area of real estate law, he responsively addressed clients’ needs and created innovative solutions.
Michael was a recognized authority in office and retail leasing. He routinely drafted and negotiated commercial leases and advised clients on complex leasing issues and strategies.
Education
B.A., magna cum laude, Duke University
J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Professional Certifications
Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law
Over his career, Michael handled the office leasing for as many as six Class “A” downtown office buildings in Houston, Texas. He did the leasing work for two of the Houston area’s premier shopping districts. His practice was not limited to Houston or Texas, and he routinely handled office and retail leasing matters throughout the country.
- Represented the owner of the Rice Village Shopping Center in the lease negotiations for most of the existing tenants including Shake Shack, Altar’d State, Front Burner Restaurants (Sixty Vines), Warby Parker, Hopdoddy, CB2, West Elm, and Mendocino Farms Sandwiches.
- Represented the owner/developer of Village Towers, a newly-constructed mixed-use office/retail complex, in the lease negotiations for office tenants including 2nd.MD, Prologis, and Spur Energy and notable local restaurant tenants including Texadelphia, Treebeards, and Masraff’s. In 2021, Houston Business Journal named Village Towers a finalist for “Project of the Year” in the Office Building or Campus category of the 2021 Landmark Awards.
- Represented a partnership in negotiating leases with a restaurant group to bring two restaurants to Texas Tower in downtown Houston. Both leases total over 8,000 square feet in the 47-story office tower.
- Represented the landlord of 1000 Main in the early renewal of Shell Trading & Supply North America’s 259,000-square-foot lease. The transaction was named the largest lease deal in Houston in 2021.
- Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1990-Present
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Real Estate Law, 2008-2016, 2018-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2005-2013, 2021-2024
- Top Lawyers, H Texas magazine, 2006-2010
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2004-2007
- Ranked for Real Estate – Texas
- “Reducing Carbon Footprint Requires a Tricky Path for CRE,” Law360 (February 2024)
- “Defining Gross Sales for Restaurants and Retailers in the BOPIS Era,” ICSC+U.S. LAW Workshop (October 2022)
- “Redefining Gross Sales as Omnichannel Retailing Takes Hold,” ICSC US Shopping Center Law Conference Roundtable (November 2021)
- “Rent Relief in the Time of Pandemic,” UT Law CLE’s Bernard O. Dow Leasing Institute (November 2020)
- “Allocating Risk in Real Estate Leases: Contractual Indemnities, Additional Insured Endorsements and Waivers of Subrogation,” Strafford Publications Webinar (September 2016)
May 6, 2025
Spotlight
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.
September 17, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2024
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of 71 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2024 “Texas Super Lawyers” list.
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
February 16, 2024
Insights
Reducing Carbon Footprint Requires a Tricky Path for CRE I Law360 (Subscription Required)
By Michael Kuhn and Mahira Khan
The evolving landscape of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures within the commercial office market is shifting from voluntary green initiatives to mandatory regulations in the U.S. and EU. Previously, ESG-related practices, such as the inclusion of green provisions in leases, were implemented at the discretion of landlords and tenants. However, this dynamic is changing due to increased regulatory pressure and societal debates surrounding ESG initiatives.
September 19, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
September 21, 2022
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 64 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2022
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Practice Experience
Over his career, Michael handled the office leasing for as many as six Class “A” downtown office buildings in Houston, Texas. He did the leasing work for two of the Houston area’s premier shopping districts. His practice was not limited to Houston or Texas, and he routinely handled office and retail leasing matters throughout the country.
- Represented the owner of the Rice Village Shopping Center in the lease negotiations for most of the existing tenants including Shake Shack, Altar’d State, Front Burner Restaurants (Sixty Vines), Warby Parker, Hopdoddy, CB2, West Elm, and Mendocino Farms Sandwiches.
- Represented the owner/developer of Village Towers, a newly-constructed mixed-use office/retail complex, in the lease negotiations for office tenants including 2nd.MD, Prologis, and Spur Energy and notable local restaurant tenants including Texadelphia, Treebeards, and Masraff’s. In 2021, Houston Business Journal named Village Towers a finalist for “Project of the Year” in the Office Building or Campus category of the 2021 Landmark Awards.
- Represented a partnership in negotiating leases with a restaurant group to bring two restaurants to Texas Tower in downtown Houston. Both leases total over 8,000 square feet in the 47-story office tower.
- Represented the landlord of 1000 Main in the early renewal of Shell Trading & Supply North America’s 259,000-square-foot lease. The transaction was named the largest lease deal in Houston in 2021.
Recognition & Accolades
- Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1990-Present
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Real Estate Law, 2008-2016, 2018-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2005-2013, 2021-2024
- Top Lawyers, H Texas magazine, 2006-2010
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2004-2007
- Ranked for Real Estate – Texas
Publications & Speeches
- “Reducing Carbon Footprint Requires a Tricky Path for CRE,” Law360 (February 2024)
- “Defining Gross Sales for Restaurants and Retailers in the BOPIS Era,” ICSC+U.S. LAW Workshop (October 2022)
- “Redefining Gross Sales as Omnichannel Retailing Takes Hold,” ICSC US Shopping Center Law Conference Roundtable (November 2021)
- “Rent Relief in the Time of Pandemic,” UT Law CLE’s Bernard O. Dow Leasing Institute (November 2020)
- “Allocating Risk in Real Estate Leases: Contractual Indemnities, Additional Insured Endorsements and Waivers of Subrogation,” Strafford Publications Webinar (September 2016)