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Allen Matkins Expands New York Real Estate Practice With Leasing Team Addition

Reported by Citybiz
May 18, 2026· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Allen Matkins, a California-based commercial real estate law firm, opened a New York City office in Midtown Manhattan, marking its first significant expansion outside the West Coast and establishing a foothold in the East Coast real estate market.
  • • The firm committed to hiring 30 attorneys over a multi-year period to build out its New York real estate practice, signaling substantial capital investment in the expansion.
  • • Recent lateral hires include real estate finance specialist Jeannine M. Olmo, first-chair trial lawyer Brian Hail, and partner Michael Kostecka, demonstrating the firm's targeted recruitment strategy to strengthen its New York-based real estate and litigation capabilities.
  • • Jason Robinson was appointed as Senior Counsel to the growing New York real estate practice, reflecting the firm's continued talent acquisition efforts in the market.
  • • The expansion positions Allen Matkins to serve East Coast clients previously counseled remotely, broadening its national footprint in the commercial real estate legal services sector.
Summary
Allen Matkins, a full-service real estate and business law firm headquartered in California, has expanded its geographic footprint with the establishment of a New York City office located in Midtown Manhattan. The firm, which had previously focused its practice on the West Coast, identified the New York market as a strategic priority for growth, particularly given its existing client relationships with East Coast-based commercial real estate investors and developers.

The New York expansion reflects a multi-year staffing commitment, with the firm planning to hire approximately 30 attorneys to build out a comprehensive real estate practice. This significant hiring initiative indicates management's confidence in the market opportunity and its intention to establish a full-service capability in the region rather than maintaining a representative office.

The firm has executed several key lateral hires to accelerate the build-out of its New York practice. Jeannine M. Olmo joined the firm's Global Real Estate Group focusing on real estate finance transactions, while Brian Hail, a first-chair trial lawyer, and partner Michael Kostecka added depth to the firm's litigation and transaction capabilities. Jason Robinson was appointed as Senior Counsel, further strengthening the practice's senior leadership bench. These hires underscore Allen Matkins' strategy of recruiting experienced practitioners with established client bases and specialized expertise in East Coast real estate markets.

The expansion enables Allen Matkins to deepen client relationships with institutional investors, family offices, and commercial real estate developers on the East Coast, transitioning from a remote service model to an integrated local presence. For institutional investors and alternative asset managers active in New York real estate transactions—spanning acquisitions, financings, and dispute resolution—the firm's expansion provides an additional options for counsel with established West Coast expertise now available locally.

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Citybiz Allen Matkins Expands New York Real Estate Practice With Leasing Team Addition