Leo V. Leyva
Memberlleyva@coleschotz.com New York Office1325 Avenue of the Americas, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019
New Jersey Office
Court Plaza North, 25 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
T: NY: 646-563-8930 / C: 201-314-7995 / F: NY: 646-563-7930
Legal Practice Assistant: Ruth Chave
T: 201-489-3000, ext. 5027
rchave@coleschotz.com
OVERVIEW
Leo Leyva is co-chair of the Litigation and Real Estate Departments, as well as the Real Estate Special Opportunities Group. Described by sources as a “trusted adviser and advocate” and “focused and loyal purveyor of sage legal advice” by Chambers USA (2014 and 2012 editions), Leo has an expansive litigation practice with a concentration on high-profile real estate litigation, complex commercial litigation and corporate reorganization. He also focuses on real estate and construction-related services. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. See Award Methodology.
Leo regularly represents a wide array of clients in all aspects of real estate litigation; corporate dissolution and shareholder disputes/oppression actions; contract claims; distressed portfolio and asset sales; distressed commercial loan workouts and restructurings; construction performance and payment disputes; director and officer liability matters; and creditors’ rights and insolvency. According to Benchmark Litigation, clients regard him as a “unique attorney, who possesses a keen business sense along with best-in-class legal advice.”
Recognized as a “Local Litigation Star” in New York and New Jersey by Benchmark Litigation, Leo also represents private equity, hedge and real estate opportunity funds; national lending institutions; bridge and convenience lenders; property owners and developers in connection with the acquisition and sale of distressed properties and debt, joint ventures, commercial real estate litigation, project development, asset disposition, foreclosures, and bankruptcy-related workouts and restructuring. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. See Award Methodology.
Since joining the firm in 1989, Leo has played a leading role in the following recent notable matters:
- Represented domestic and international hedge funds in ongoing litigation alleging lender liability against an international banking firm, with claims of $380 million and counterclaims of $1.2 billion.
- Represented a prominent Wall Street executive and former hedge fund founder in litigation brought by four former partners in various courts and in arbitration seeking millions in damages for a variety of claims, including breach of contract and violation of New York labor laws.
- Represented the owners/operators of 22 recreational vehicle resorts located throughout the country in a dispute arising out of two loan portfolios, totaling in excess of $100 million in securitized commercial loans, secured by first mortgage liens on various RV resorts, which are the subject of multistate foreclosure and receivership proceedings.
- Represented the general contractor in connection with construction and contract related claims and causes of action arising from the development of an international airport terminal in New York, NY as well as a casino project in the Northeast.
- Represented the owner in connection with various construction related claims and causes of action arising from the conversion of a large commercial building to high-end residential condominiums in Brooklyn, NY.
Leo is regularly lauded for high quality work in media outlets and has been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for his “outstanding legal strategy and implementation.” Leo has also been featured in New York Metro Super Lawyers, New Jersey Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America. He was named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers’ 2013 and Best Lawyers’ 2015 Hackensack in the category of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. He was also selected as a 2017 AV Preeminent® Top Rated Lawyer, a 2014 AV Preeminent® Top Rated Lawyer in Appellate Law and Commercial Litigation, and a 2013 AV Preeminent® Top Rated Lawyer in Real Estate Law through Martindale-Hubble. Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business cited Leo for "outstanding legal strategy and implementation." No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. See Award Methodology.
In addition to his appointment to the New Jersey Council of Economic Advisors by Senate Minority Leader Thomas H. Kean, Jr., Leo is actively involved in a host of professional organizations, including the New York and New Jersey Federal Bar Association, the New York and New Jersey State Bar Association (Debtor/Creditor Section), the Bergen County Bar Association (Debtor/Creditor Section) and the Construction Lawyers Society of America.
Leo received his B.A. from Seton Hall University and his J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law, where he served as the business editor of the Rutgers Law Review. After law school, he served as law secretary to the Hon. Arthur J. Lesemann, Chancery Division, Superior Court of New Jersey.
Services
Education
Rutgers Law School- Newark, J.D., 1988; Rutgers Law Review, EditorSeton Hall University, B.A., 1985Bar & Court Admissions
New Jersey, 1988New York, 1989U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1988U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1993U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1994U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1997U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 2010NEWS
News
G4 Funds $230M Loan to Recap Chetrit, Bistricer Condo
As published in: Real Estate Weekly December 15, 2020
Cole Schotz Advises G4 Capital Partners on $232m Financing for Manhattan Condominium
December 2, 2020
11 Cole Schotz Attorneys Named 2020 New York Metro Super Lawyers
November 2, 2020
Procida provides $52M construction loan for Manhattan Transit Village
As published in: Real Estate Weekly October 27, 2020
Cole Schotz Represents Procida Funding in $39.85 Million Construction Loan for NJ Apartment Community
October 26, 2020
'Big-Picture Plans Are a Series of Near-Future Tasks,' Cole Schotz's Leo Leyva Says
As published in: New Jersey Law Journal September 18, 2020
Cole Schotz Ties Success to 'Contemplating the Whole Client, Beyond the Legal Issue'
As published in: New Jersey Law Journal September 18, 2020
Best Lawyers Recognizes 36 Cole Schotz Attorneys on 2021 List
August 20, 2020
NJLJ Announces 2020 Professional Excellence Honorees
June 2, 2020
Chambers USA Recognizes 17 Cole Schotz Attorneys- 2020
April 24, 2020
Wake Up Call: Cole Schotz represented property management company Dino & Sons Realty Corp.
As published in: Bloomberg Big Law Business January 9, 2020
Cole Schotz Advises Dino & Sons in $36M Acquisition of North Carolina Shopping Center
January 2, 2020
Cole Schotz Represents The Mcsam Hotel Group in $250m Financing of Times Square Hotel Project
December 23, 2019
Cole Schotz Represents Procida Funding in $39 million Construction Loan for Luxury NJ Apartment Complex
December 6, 2019
Cove lands $750M loan for Hudson Commons
As published in: Real Estate Weekly December 4, 2019
Gibson Dunn, Cole Schotz Steer $155M NYC Tri-Borough Loan
As published in: Law360 November 7, 2019
Nine Cole Schotz Attorneys Named 2019 New York Metro Super Lawyers
September 24, 2019
NYC Real Estate Week In Review 2019
As published in: Law360 September 4, 2019
Savanna Picks Up 360 Lex for $180M, Plans Repositioning
As published in: Connect New York August 21, 2019
EVENTS
Recent Events
Webinar: The Do's and Don'ts of Real Estate investing, How to Start and Grow your Portfolio
Attorney Speaking: Leo V. LeyvaJune 8, 2020Leo Leyva and Jordan Metzger are panelists at the 17th Annual US Real Estate Opportunity & Private Funds Investing Forum
Attorneys Speaking: Leo V. Leyva and Jordan J. MetzgerJune 13-14, 2016Leo Leyva is a panelist at the The WeiserMazars New York Commercial Real Estate Summit
Attorney Speaking: Leo V. LeyvaMay 10, 2016Panel Moderator in IMN’s 16th Annual US Real Estate Opportunity & Private Fund Investing Forum
Attorney Speaking: Leo V. LeyvaJune 15, 2015Cole Schotz Construction Department Cocktail Reception
Attorneys Speaking: Brian L. Gardner, James T. Kim and Leo V. LeyvaOctober 15, 2014The 2nd Annual Real Estate General Counsel Forum, IMN, Union League in New York, NY
Attorney Speaking: Leo V. LeyvaSeptember 10, 20123rd Real Estate Preferred Equity & Mezzanine Financing Summit, The Pierre Hotel, New York, NY
Attorney Speaking: Leo V. LeyvaMay 9, 2012Hand Over The Keys, Sell, Restructure or Adding New $$: The Equity Holders/Buyers Guide to Working Out Your Project
Attorney Speaking: Leo V. LeyvaJune 1-2, 2011PUBLICATIONS
Publications
COVID-19 Cole Schotz Interdisciplinary Task Force
March 17, 2020
Samuel Weiner, Richard W. Abramson, Gary M. Albrecht, Michael D. Sirota, Jordan A. Fisch, Jennifer L. Horowitz, Steven R. Klein, Paul W. Kim, Randi W. Kochman, Leo V. Leyva, Norman L. Pernick, David A. Rubenstein, Jeffrey H. Schechter and Warren A. UsatineWhat's Trending- Opportunity Zones
March 4, 2020
Jennifer L. Horowitz, Leo V. Leyva, Marc P. Press, Jeffrey H. Schechter and Philip R. HirschfeldForte Real Estate Secures $39M Construction Loan for Middlesex Multifamily Project
GlobeSt December 9, 2019
Leo V. Leyva, Rab N. Nalavala and Jennifer Y. ChungBefore the Next Storm: Tips for Owners and Managers
Commercial Property Executive December 14, 2012
Leo V. LeyvaImpact of Amended Rule 2019: What Bankruptcy Practitioners Should Know
New Jersey Law Journal January 23, 2012
Leo V. Leyva and Felice R. YudkinLeo Leyva was quoted in, "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul: Fraud in Real Estate JVs"
National Real Estate Investor October 25, 2011
Leo V. LeyvaReserve the Right to Appoint Your Own Special Servicer
Real Estate Finance & Investment March 15, 2010
Jordan A. Fisch and Leo V. LeyvaContracting Party Acting in Bad Faith?
New York Law Journal January 4, 2010
Leo V. Leyva and Nolan E. ShanahanRetaining Lien: A Useful Tool in Uncertain Economic Times
New York Law Journal December 16, 2009
Leo V. Leyva and Jed M. Weiss