David S. Kriss

Co-Founding Partner
Direct 646-454-4120 Fax 646-454-4160
dkriss@kandfllp.com
  • Commercial Real Estate Finance
  • Commercial Real Estate Lending
  • Distressed Debt Transactions
  • Office, Retail, and Industrial Leasing
Overview Representative Matters Honors & Awards Professional Experience Professional Memberships

Overview

After leaving “Big Law,” David Kriss formed the Law Offices of David Kriss in 1990, to provide high quality real estate legal counsel to a select group of clients. In 2002, Jerry Feuerstein became a partner and Kriss & Feuerstein LLP was formed. Since the formation of the firm 20 years ago, the partnership has grown into a highly successful boutique real estate firm specializing in real estate transactions and lending of all types, as well as real estate litigation and related bankruptcy matters.

“K&F offers a deep bench of real estate attorneys with extensive experience and exemplary training in all types of real estate transactions.”

As lead counsel, David spearheaded numerous high profile transactions such as the purchase and financing of Union Station in Washington, DC, 619 West 54th Street in New York City, Faneuil Hall Market Place in Boston, MA, and 625, 635 and 650 Madison Avenue in New York City. Additionally, David has handled hundreds of other acquisitions, financings and leasing of shopping centers, office buildings, industrial and residential properties in major urban markets throughout the United States.

In addition to his acquisitions and development practice, David represents numerous real estate lenders in commercial and residential lending transactions. Having come through three turbulent economic cycles over the past 40 years, he has considerable experience in workouts, foreclosures, and bankruptcies.

Martindale-Hubbell® has awarded David with the Highest Level of Professional Excellence, ranked AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5.0. David has also been selected as a “Top Rated Real Estate Attorney in New York” and has been named to New York Metro Super Lawyers® highly regarded lists for eight consecutive years.

Mr. Kriss resides with his family in Larchmont, NY where he has served for many years as the Chairman of the Village Zoning Board.

Representative Matters

  • Acquisition and financing of JC Penney location in Queens, New York.
  • Representation of Taconic Investment Partners for new headquarters lease at 111 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.
  • Acquisition and financing of major residential development site in Central Islip, NY with IDA and CMBS financing.
  • Acquisition and financing of Plaza Hotel, New York, NY.
  • Sale of One Faneuil Hall Square, a 10 story office building adjacent to Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
  • Acquisition, financing and refinancing of Union Station, Washington, DC.
  • Acquisition and financing of the Shops at the Bravern Shopping Mall, Bellevue, WA.
  • Successful restructuring of mortgage loan on Memphis, TN shopping center with servicer for CMBS pool.
  • Acquisition of office building and retail space at 635 Madison Avenue, New York, NY.
  • Purchase of mid-town Manhattan land for future hotel development.
  • $60MM refinance of mid-town New York Doubletree Hotel property with Wells Fargo.
  • Acquisition and financing of ground lease for office building parcel at 625 Madison Avenue, New York, NY.
  • Rendering of numerous opinions with respect to the enforceability of New York law for the benefit of UBS, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citibank, Well Fargo, Bank of America, and a variety of other lenders in securitized loan transactions.
  • Representation of private equity lenders in numerous bridge and construction loans.
  • Representation of landlords in numerous office and retail leases.
  • Representation of clients in numerous purchases and sales of retail, residential and office properties in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Texas and other states.

Honors & Awards

  • Selected to New York Metro Super Lawyers 2013-2021
  • Martindale-Hubbell® Highest Level of Professional Excellence, ranked AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5.0 by Martindale.

Professional Experience

  • Law Offices of David Kriss, Founder
  • Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
  • Baer Marks & Upham LLP

Professional Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Chairman of the Village of Larchmont Zoning Board

Education

American University, Washington College of Law, J.D.

  • Assistant to the Dean

George Washington University

  • magna cum laude

 

Admissions

  • State and Federal Courts in New York