Areas of Focus
“I aim to practice law the ‘right way’ — zealously advocating for my clients but doing so in a professional manner.”
Overview
Glenn Motelson helps landlords and tenants navigate complex commercial real estate transactions in New York City and nationwide. Focusing on leasing for offices, retail space, office condominiums and warehouses, he represents top developers and owners who want to maximize their holdings, and large and small businesses in search of operational space. He also handles dispositions of commercial properties.
Glenn has been a key player in transactions that created major corporate headquarters and new developments — including many of the largest leasing transactions in New York City. His extensive experience allows him to quickly identify and solve the most critical legal issues in the context of a company’s overall business goals. As a result, Glenn’s clients meet essential deadlines and allocate risk appropriately for the short term and into the future.
With a diverse leasing practice, Glenn is experienced in both office and retail leasing. He understands the unique considerations of each type of space and negotiates deals that address the business realities involved.
A familiar face throughout the real estate landscape, Glenn develops constructive working relationships with all parties in order to work through challenging issues. Despite the inherently adversarial nature of many real estate transactions, he prides himself on a practical, collaborative approach that facilitates closings rather than hindering them. His responsibility to his clients is Glenn’s priority, and their well-being is always paramount.
Representative Experience
Represented a real estate development company in the leasing up of its new development at Hudson Yards, including the anchor tenant lease of approximately 800,000 square feet with a multinational company, and subsequent leases with an investment management firm and an Am Law 100 law firm.
Represented a New York developer in the leasing up and re-positioning of its new development in Long Island City, Queens, including leases with 2 major department stores and a coworking space of more than 1 million square feet.
Represented a New York developer in retail leases at its Hudson Yards project. These retail leases are critical to the client's desire to provide retail amenities to its office and residential tenant base at the project.
Acting as outside general real estate counsel for a Fortune 500 company in connection with all of its North American real estate transactions, including leased and owned properties.
Assisted a global management consulting firm in leasing almost 200,000 square feet for its New York City headquarters in Hudson Yards, a newly constructed state-of-the-art building in an up-and-coming district.
Advised a real estate development firm in leasing over 250,000 square feet at its new development in Brooklyn to a college for its new campus.
Insights + Events
- Event Davis+Gilbert: Back to Business Interdisciplinary Webinar | Restart, Reopen and Re-entry: Back to Business 3.0
July 22, 2020
- Event Davis+Gilbert: Back to Business Interdisciplinary Webinar | Restart, Reopen and Re-entry: Back to Business 2.0
June 3, 2020
- Press Release Davis+Gilbert Represents Tishman Speyer in Lease With Pfizer For 800,000 S.F. of Office Space in Hudson Yards
April 12, 2018
Credentials
Education
- George Washington University (J.D., with honors, 1998)
- University of Michigan (B.A., with distinction, 1995)
Distinctions
- The Best Lawyers in America® 2018-2024, Real Estate Law
- The Best Lawyers in America® 2025, Real Estate Law
Bar Admissions
- New York
- New Jersey
Associations
Member, American Bar Association
Member, New York State Bar Association