Leasing

Victory for Mississippi Oystermen: Court Strikes Down Controversial Reef Leasing Law

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HARRISON COUNTY, Miss. — A ruling from Chancery Court Judge Jim Persons has declared a recently enacted law permitting the leasing of Mississippi’s oyster reefs unconstitutional, delivering a significant victory for local fishermen facing economic challenges. Gerald Blessey, an attorney for Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United, emphasized the importance of this ruling for the state’s oyster harvesters. “These oystermen can continue to fish as their ancestors have for 200 years during the period of the injunction,” he said, highlighting the long-standing tradition of oyster fishing in the area. The law, signed by Governor Tate Reeves in … Read more

Study Reveals Ohio Law Favors Gas Drillers Over Landowner Rights in Shale Leasing Deals

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — In the expansive fields of Ohio, where shale reservoirs hold lucrative natural gas deposits, landowners find themselves facing a pressing dilemma. Ohio’s unique legal framework empowers gas drilling companies to compel property owners to enter into lease agreements, even when they are reluctant or outright opposed. This legal mechanism, known as “unitization,” is increasingly under scrutiny for its impact on individual property rights. “Unitization” laws were designed to streamline the extraction process and minimize the environmental footprint by allowing a single operator to extract resources across a unified area, even if it … Read more

Law Firm Leasing Surges in 2023, Signaling Potential Turnaround for Commercial Real Estate Market

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NEW YORK — Office leases in New York City were disappointingly small in 2023, signaling a slowdown in the commercial real estate market. While some deals were larger than in the previous year, they still fell short of the record-breaking leases seen in 2019. However, the market made a surprising recovery towards the end of the year, with several significant leases signed in December. The largest lease of 2023 was signed by the white shoe law firm Paul Weiss, who took 765,000 square feet at Fisher Brothers’ 1345 Avenue of the Americas. This lease seemed … Read more