Biography

Michael Smith is a partner in Herrick's Real Estate Department, one of the largest in New York City. 

Mike has extensive experience on a wide array of sophisticated commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, leasing, joint ventures and construction projects. Mike’s diverse client base includes developers, owners, investors and lenders both in New York City and nationally.    

Mike has a particular depth of experience with development projects in New York City. This includes representing clients throughout the entire life cycle, such as land acquisition and assemblage, development rights transfers, joint ventures, preferred equity investments, construction, mortgage and mezzanine financing, construction license access agreements with neighboring properties, easements, restrictive declarations, development agreements, zoning lot development agreements and cantilever agreements. Over the years, Mike has developed a niche in representing both developers and sellers on transfers of development rights by zoning lot merger, as well as construction license access agreements with neighboring properties.  

Mike also regularly represents lenders and investors on real estate financing transactions, including land and construction loans. 

Mike has been recognized by Legal 500 for his excellence in the field of Real Estate. In 2020, Mike was named to Crain's New York Business, "Rising Stars in Real Estate" listing. This list honors young professionals making an impact in New York City real estate who also contribute to the profession and the greater community. In 2014, Mike was featured in Real Estate Forum’s "Tomorrow’s Leaders," a list of two dozen professionals age 35 and under that have made a noticeable impact on New York City’s real estate market. 

Mike is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional, a credential awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council to professionals who have an advanced understanding of green building practices and the LEED Green Building Rating System. 

Prior to joining Herrick, Mike was an associate at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (now Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP).