Biography
Michael K. Kuhn focuses on commercial real estate, with a particular emphasis on office and retail leasing, within the firm’s Real Estate Group.
With 38 years of practice in Houston commercial real estate, Michael brings a wealth of experience and practical knowledge of the local market to the advantage of his real estate clients. Over his career, Michael has handled all types of real estate acquisition, disposition, development, and leasing matters. With significant experience in most every area of real estate law, he is able to responsively address clients’ needs and to create innovative solutions.
Michael is a recognized authority in office and retail leasing. He routinely drafts and negotiates commercial leases and advises 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
Board Certifications
Commercial Real Estate Law
Over his career, Michael has handled the office leasing for as many as six Class “A” downtown office buildings in Houston, Texas. Currently, he does the leasing work for two of the Houston area’s premier shopping districts. His practice is not limited to either Houston or Texas, and he routinely handles 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, 2018-2024
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2005-2013, 2021-2023
- Top Lawyers, H Texas magazine, 2006-2010
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2004-2007
- Ranked for Real Estate – Texas
- “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)
October 11, 2023
Client ResultsMichael 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.
September 19, 2023
Attorney NewsJackson 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 NewsJackson 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.
January 24, 2022
Client ResultsMichael 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.
December 14, 2021
Speaking EngagementsTiana DeLeo Dunn and Michael Kuhn Discuss Retail Leases and Internet Sales at ICSC+U.S. Law Conference
Tiana Dunn and Michael Kuhn were featured during the 2021 ICSC+U.S. Law conference roundtable sessions. Presented by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the conference was held on November 3-5, 2021, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis in California.
December 13, 2021
Client ResultsMichael 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.
September 22, 2021
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 57 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2021
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.
September 1, 2021
Client ResultsMichael 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.