Everybody wants to reduce their carbon footprint these days, and for good reason.  Companies are catering to a demographic that is continually more concerned about the environment – both for their own health and for the health of the environment.  A lot of the changes that can be made to acheive these concerns and ambitions...Read More

If you live in California you are used to new laws encumbering business seemingly everyday.  Well, this month is no different.  California has two new regulations that are supposed to take effect on July 1, 2013, the Accessibility Statute and the Energy Disclosures Regulations.  But of course, the state isn’t quite ready for the onslaught...Read More

Tenants “renew” leases all the time, but almost always outside the legal bounds of the renewal right in their lease.  Technically, most tenants negotiate a “lease extension,” as opposed to “renewing” the lease.  As a matter of fact, I have been in the business for almost a quarter century (Did I just say that?  Ouch!),...Read More

I was lucky enough to have a business / pleasure trip to Amsterdam recently.  What a great place!  As a Californian I haven’t thought much about the impact that the Netherlands has on the world, but when you visit, you realize how much influence the Dutch have had globally.  Widely regarded as the first capitalist country, the...Read More

Assignment and Subleasing Below are some simple rules to live by when negotiating sublease and assignment rights from Gregg Pasternak: The Assignment and Subleasing clause is one of the most heavily negotiated in the Lease. Although most tenants do not expect to effectuate a transfer during their lease term, many do end up needing to...Read More

I was recently introduced to Gensler’s magazine “Dialogue.”  If you are into commercial real estate issues like workplace and architecture it is a must read with great pictures of Gensler’s recent projects.  In issue #22 there are some interesting thoughts on private offices vs. open plan in an article called “Stressed out by Openess”.  Check...Read More

In corporate real estate buzzwords like Sustainability, LEED, and Workplace are all the rage, and for good reason.  We all care about the environment in which we live and work. New approaches and technologies allow us to alter our workplace for the better (unless you miss your private office!) and help protect the environment.  So,...Read More

It is amazing to me how many times I have represented tenants who would prefer to remain in their current location only to find that their landlord wants to “hold them hostage.”  What do I mean by this?  Well, most landlords are pretty smart and they understand how expensive it is for a tenant to...Read More

Many tenants are large enough in an office project to warrant asking for a building top or monument sign.  Just like retail tenants expect, this signage can drive new business or enhance the brand of the company.  In either case the negotiation of the signage rights requires a detailed examination of the situation.Read More

Many of our clients voice concern about waiving statutory rights in leases.  Gregg Pasternak is an attorney.  He specializes in the proper documentation of office and retail leases on behalf of our clients.  Below are his thoughts on the common waiver language in found in typical California leases: Statutory Waivers California leases typically contain language in a number of provisions...Read More