The Legal 500 United States 2021 edition has once again recognized Herrick, Feinstein LLP as a leading law firm, ranking Herrick's Real Estate (Tier 5), Land Use/Zoning (Tier 3) and Sports (Tier 4) practice areas.
Real Estate
Herrick was ranked as a leading law firm for its Real Estate Department by The Legal 500 United States 2021. Herrick was recognized as "a long-established and well-connected participant in New York’s real estate market. The practice is adept in projects and transactions relating to retail, sporting, condominium, entertainment, hospitality, residential and office assets, providing a one-stop-shop service, with additional expertise in land use and zoning, finance, tax, public-private partnership and environmental matters."
The Legal 500 named Belinda Schwartz as a recommended attorney, explaining, "Belinda Schwartz (‘an outstanding team leader’) chairs the department and is a veteran of several of New York’s largest development projects in addition to various portfolio transactions, restructuring, fund formation and joint venture mandates. The team is also an active participant in the field of Opportunity Zones and is currently involved in over a dozen ongoing projects in that space." Michael Smith and Brendan Schmitt were also listed as key lawyers in the practice.
One client remarked, "Belinda Schwartz is an incredible person that always provides wise counsel and challenges you to think differently about a situation."
Another client echoed, saying, "Their networking, resources and connections to others, especially during this COVID time highlights why they are such an important asset to our company. Those firms that could not provide ongoing services clearly are at a deficit."
An additional client graciously added, "I strongly believe that this firm has my back and makes sure that my interests are well protected. Their honesty and integrity are forthright. They spend the time to educate their clients and are not condescending in their commentary. I never have the feeling that my issues are not important but rather a feeling that I am a valued client."
"Belinda Schwartz is an outstanding team leader, client advisor, advocate and confidant. Personal service with all the technical expertise," recalled another interviewee, with another adding that Herrick brings "attentiveness and client focus all while providing the most professional legal service."
Land Use & Zoning
Describing the Land Use & Zoning practice, The Legal 500 mentions that Herrick has "one of New York's go-to land use and zoning practices, [and] is adept at advising on the full range of matters in the area and has a particularly strong relationship with the firm's government relations practice, playing a crucial role in planning negotiations with government agencies." They added that, "Mitchell Korbey has recently been engaged in the city's proposed rezoning of Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal neighborhood, acting for major developer Property Markets Group (PMG)... [and associate] Robert Huberman stood out on several fronts in 2020." The Legal 500 recommended both Mitchell and Robert in the area of Land Use & Zoning.
Sports
The Legal 500 United States 2021 ranked Herrick's Sports Law Group describing the team as "prominent in the field of sports broadcasting, advising leagues and individual teams in connection with their broadcast right deals and advising major franchises on broadcast joint ventures and network ownership." Clients praised Herrick's "[d]eep expertise and focus in sports law."
In describing the practice, The Legal 500 further highlighted the work of three recommended attorneys: "Irwin Kishner, a well-regarded sports lawyer who has been involved in matters relating to the burgeoning area of global e-sports as well as in the legalization of sports wagering in the US; Daniel Etna, who has extensive experience in all aspects of sports matters, including joint ventures, and stadium and arena development; and Eric Stabler, a name to note for financing work."
About The Legal 500 USA
The Legal 500 Series, now in its 34th year, is widely acknowledged as the world’s largest legal referral guide. More than 300,000 buyers of legal services are surveyed and interviewed globally each year. The Legal 500 is an independent guide, and firms and individuals are recommended purely on merit. It is the only guide to truly reflect the needs of corporate counsel by focusing on the strength in depth of the teams (practice and associates) rather than simply list individual partners.
