Kristopher J. Stark

My focus

Real Estate

I advise clients on all aspects of real estate transactions including the acquisition, disposition, leasing, development, construction, and operation of real estate assets. My clients include landlords, developers, investors, family offices, private equity companies, tenants, and restaurant operators.

Real Estate Disputes

I have substantial experience litigating, and negotiating the resolution of complex real estate, construction, and shareholder disputes involving real estate assets and interests.

Representative experience

Real Estate

• Advising multi-family developers on the acquisition, financing, and development of high-rise developments across the country
• Advising landlords with respect to retail leasing transactions for flagship and anchor tenants, including leases for Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tesla, Patagonia, and Christian Dior
• Advising private equity clients on leasing transactions and real estate related issues for their portfolio companies
• Advising a nationally recognized restaurant group on leasing transactions and related issues throughout the country
• Representing a landlord with respect to a long-term ground lease for a hotel on Michigan Avenue
• Representing a Michigan Avenue landlord with respect to the management and leasing of a food hall
• Advising sellers and purchasers in the acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate assets across all asset classes
• Representing a buyer on its acquisition of the Chicago Theatre
• Advising the seller of three properties and two related rooftop businesses adjacent to Wrigley Field to the owners of the Chicago Cubs

Real Estate Disputes

• Favorably prosecuting, defending, and resolving a series of commercial lease disputes between the owner of a historic Chicago office building and certain tenants that have allowed the owner to proceed with its anticipated $130 million redevelopment of the building
• Obtaining dismissal, at both the trial and appellate levels, on behalf of one of the nation’s largest developers regarding claims of specific performance and breach of contract in a proceeding adverse to a foreign investor group
• Advising developers and owners on construction delay and defect claims and related contract issues, including the resolution of litigation and contractor claims involving a $200+ million mixed use development on behalf of a major university