Jessica E. Kempf

Jessie has a wide range of real estate experience. In addition to negotiating and drafting real estate transactional documents such as letters of intent and purchase and sale agreements for office, industrial, retail, hotel, casino and residential developments, she also has substantive experience in construction agreements, mortgage and mezzanine finance and complex title, survey, and mapping issues. Her experience also extends into municipal entitlements and environmental and zoning matters. Jessie also has familiarity and experience in real estate and securities litigation and in oil and gas leasing and title matters.

Worked with large grocery store chain to identify the value of 920 supermarkets in the U.S. for the company’s Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization. Convinced the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to reject 148 store leases in 14 states, saving the company almost $60 million a year on rent. Created special, short form of leasehold mortgage, collateralizing the company’s leases for an $800 million Debtor in Possession credit facility and saving the company millions of dollars in recording fees and taxes.



Represented lender in fund’s $36 billion acquisition of office properties, conducting due diligence for trophy properties in Manhattan and handling the closing logistics for a $7.8 billion credit facility. Resolved emergency related to the title company giving a mezzanine finance endorsement, allowing the closing to proceed on schedule.



Defended the Hong Kong business partners of a high-profile Manhattan developer in a $1 billion real estate litigation, writing the briefs that ultimately led to the dismissal of the suit and a moratorium that prevented the developer from removing his assets from the partnership.



Advised large homebuilder on land banking issues and assisted in strategy and negotiation for a multi- billion dollar work-out, keeping the company out of bankruptcy.

Good to know

Job Types Attorney
Areas of Practice 1) Real Estate and 2) bankruptcy
Law School The University of Texas at Austin School of Law (J.D.,2004)
Education University of Texas at Austin (B.A.,2000)
Bar Member / Association New York State Bar Association,California State Bar Association
Most recent firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, New York, NY
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