Overview

Gary specializes in shopping center and commercial development and retail, office and industrial leasing, generally representing developers and property owners, as well as major retailers.  Gary has also represented retail and commercial developers in the acquisition and disposition of both undeveloped land and commercial projects.

Retail and Commercial Development, Commercial Leasing, REAs and Purchase and Sale Experience

Gary has represented major shopping center developers in the negotiation of leases with almost every national, regional and local retailer in the Western United States.  As a result, he has negotiated reciprocal easements agreements (REAs) and development agreements with nearly every "big box" retailer in the United States (e.g., Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, Sam's Club, Kohl's, Home Depot and Lowe's).  In addition, Gary's practice involves the representation of clients in connection with the acquisition of land for development and the acquisition and disposition of major shopping center and commercial developments. He is skilled at the negotiation and drafting of every agreement necessary in connection with the acquisition, development, leasing, and disposition of a shopping center or commercial development. He has also represented major retailers in connection with virtually every facet of leasing or purchasing land for retail operations.  Gary has also represented office developers and major office tenants in the negotiation of significant office leases.

Nationally Recognized In The Retail Industry

Gary is nationally recognized as one of the premier retail transactional attorneys by his clients and peers.  For many years, he has been named one of the country’s best attorneys by The Best Lawyers in America, as well as one of the top real estate lawyers in Southern California by Super Lawyers.  Gary is a frequent lecturer on the subject of retail development, commercial leasing, REAs and purchase and sale agreements, and has spoken at numerous seminars and conferences, including conferences sponsored by the International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC) (the retail industry’s most prominent trade group) and the California Continuing Education of the Bar. Gary is also frequently interviewed by the media on issues related to retail and commercial development.  In June 2013, ICSC honored Gary with the prestigious 2013 Trustees Distinguished Service Award for his commitment to the retail industry.

Experience

  • Represented a major Southern California retail developer in connection with over 750,000 square feet of retail leasing in the Western United States. Continue to represent the developer in connection with all of it leasing transactions.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the acquisition of 55 acres of land in Northern California. Represented the same developer in connection with the sale of a portion of the land to Target (which involved the negotiation of a Purchase Agreement, Reciprocal Easement Agreement and Development Agreement, and the sale of a portion of the land to a multi-family developer (which also involved the negotiation of an Agreement of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Grants of Easements)).

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $100 million acquisition of an existing shopping center in Oregon containing approximately 660 thousand square feet of retail space.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $90 million acquisition of land aggregating approximately 62 acres in Mira Mesa, California, which was developed as a shopping center. Involvement also included representation in connection with acquisition of mitigation properties and negotiation and preparation of City reimbursement agreements relating to infrastructure improvements. Prior to (and following) closing, representation included negotiating leases and parcel sales for the shopping center on behalf of the landowner, including leases and sales with national and regional retailers such as The Home Depot, Edward's Cinema's, Albertson's, and Ross Dress For Less.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the acquisition of raw land in Northern California for approximately $80 million and the subsequent development and leasing of the what is now an approximately 500,000 square foot Target-anchored shopping center.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the disposition of a 50% interest in a major regional mall in Southern California and the negotiation of a related joint venture and property management agreement.

  • Represented office developers and office tenants in the leasing of over 500,000 square feet of office space.

  • Represented a major Southern California retail developer in connection with over 500,000 square feet of retail leasing in the Inland Empire. Continue to represent the developer in connection numerous of its leasing transactions.

  • Represents a major Southern California luxury retail, hospitality and residential developer in connection with nearly all of its retail leasing and development transactions for several of the highest-profile projects in Southern California.

  • Represented a major Southern California retail developer in connection with the leasing of a major destination lifestyle center in the City of Los Angeles.

  • Represented a major Southern California retail developer in connection with the acquisition and disposition of retail developments in California valued at $500 million. Continue to represent the developer in connection with a substantial number of its acquisitions and dispositions.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $100 million disposition of a retail project in Northern California.

  • Represented the developer in connection with all documents required in connection with the development of a Target/Lowe's-anchored shopping center in Southern California.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $50 million disposition of a retail/commercial project in Northern California.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $10 million disposition of a master ground leased retail/commercial project in Northern California.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $9 million acquisition of land for the construction of an office building and multi-family housing units in Northern California.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the acquisition of an existing lifestyle shopping center in Northern California containing approximately 100,000 square feet of retail space. Also assisted in the subsequent leasing of the shopping center.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the sale and acquisition of numerous unimproved properties in the Central Valley of California for the development of approximately 10 shopping centers. Assisting in the development and leasing of all of the shopping centers.

  • Represents the developer in connection with the redevelopment of a major regional mall and mixed-use project in Northern California, including the negotiation of leases with anchor tenants Whole Foods, Ulta and AMC Theatres.

  • Represents the developer in connection with the development of a 250,000 square foot lifestyle center in Northern California designed by one of the most renowned architects in the world. Some of the tenants include The Lot (a luxury movie theatre), Sephora, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Athleta, West Elm, Anthropologie, Equinox, LB Steak, Mendocino Farms and The Slanted Door.

  • Represents the developer in connection with the development and leasing of a 325,000 square foot shopping center in Southern California to be anchored by a major grocery store and health club, including the negotiation of a REA.

  • Represents a major Southern California retail developer in connection with a substantial number of its acquisitions and dispositions of shopping center projects, with a cumulative value over $500 million.

  • Represents a prominent developer of luxury multi-family projects in its ground floor retail transactions throughout the United States.

  • Represents the developer in connection with the development and leasing of a 350,000 square foot commercial project in Northern California, including the negotiation of leases with anchor tenants Bass Pro, City Sports, Total Wine and Ulta and the ground lease of a portion of the project for the construction of a large national hotel.

  • Represents a major Southern California retail developer in connection with over 750,000 square feet of retail leasing in the Western United States.

  • Represents the developer of a major mixed-use development in Santa Monica in connection with its retail leasing.

  • Represents the developer in connection with the redevelopment of an enclosed regional mall and adjacent neighborhood shopping center in Southern California.

  • Represented the seller in connection with the $29 million sale of undeveloped land for construction of a medical office building in El Segundo, California, including the negotiation of related REAs and site development agreements.

  • Represented the buyer in connection with the $25 million purchase and $20 million option to purchase undeveloped land in El Segundo, California, including the negotiation of related REAs and Development Agreements.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the leasing of a 500,000 square foot Target/Safeway anchored shopping center in Northern California.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the acquisition of 55 acres of land in Northern California and later sales of portions of such land to Target and a multi-family developer. Such sales involved the negotiation of a REA, Development Agreement and Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.

  • Represents a major Southern California retail developer in connection with over 750,000 square feet of retail leasing in the Western United States.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $100 million disposition of a retail project in Northern California.

  • Represented a national public company in connection with its acquisition and development of numerous shopping centers throughout California with a total value in excess of $1 billion, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, REAs, Development, Property Management, and Brokerage Agreements, and converting an enclosed regional mall into an outdoor lifestyle shopping center.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $100 million acquisition of a shopping center in Oregon containing approximately 660,000 square feet of retail space.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the development of a Target/Lowe's-anchored shopping center in Southern California.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $90 million acquisition of approximately 62 acres of undeveloped land in Southern California, which was developed as a shopping center. Representation included acquisition of mitigation properties, negotiation and preparation of City reimbursement agreements relating to infrastructure improvements and negotiation of leases and parcel sales with national and regional retailers, including The Home Depot, Edward's Cinema's, Albertson's, and Ross Dress For Less.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $80 million acquisition of undeveloped land in Northern California and the subsequent development and leasing of an approximately 500,000 square foot Target-anchored shopping center.

  • Represented the developer in connection with the approximately $50 million disposition of a retail project in Northern California.

Insights

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Awards & Affiliations

Honors & Recognitions

Best Lawyers, Real Estate Law, 2003-2025

Southern California Super Lawyer, 2004-2023

Selected as an “Influencer in Retail” in Globe St. Real Estate Forum, May 2020, as a member of the Retail and Commercial Development Team, the only law firm included as one of 15 national recipients

Recipient of 2013 ICSC Trustees Distinguished Service Award

Selected as one of 40 attorneys in Los Angeles Business Journal's "Who's Who in Law: Angelenos to Know in Real Estate Law," 2013

Professional Affiliations

International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)

Chairman, Western Division Government Relations Committee, 2003-2006

Chairman, Southern California Government Relations Committee, 2000-2002

Southern California State Director, ICSC Western Division, 1996-1999

Chairman, Western Division Conference Program Planning Committee, 1994-1995

Chairman, Southern California Idea Exchange Program Planning Committee, 1991-1993

Non-Professional Affiliations

Chairman of the Board, Brentwood Art Center, 2012

Bar & Court Admissions

  • State Bar of California

Education

J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, 1979

B.A., University of Rochester, 1976, cum laude

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