New York is this month’s legal spotlight, with one of the biggest queries answered. For investors and business partners navigating New York’s commercial property market, tenant-in-common (TIC) agreements often sit at the center of complex ownership and risk decisions. You do not need a global big law firm to handle these agreements, but you do need a NYC commercial real estate lawyer with direct experience in co-ownership structures and transactional work.

A well-established non-big law firm with a focused real estate practice can offer the right balance of sophistication, accessibility and cost control. Entrepreneurs often seek a firm known for handling complex business property matters, including TIC arrangements, to provide expert decision-making and legal guidance.

Discover which NYC firms are positioned to assist with these arrangements and dive deeper into what a tenancy in common is and why non-big law firms are often a practical choice.

1. Best Overall Midsized, Real Estate Law Firm: Olshan Frome Wolosky, LLP

Olshan is a New York-based midsized firm with a national footprint. The non-big law commercial real estate practice focuses on areas that include property, securities and capital markets, advertising and employment law.

The firm handles transactions, such as commercial property co-ownership, across the U.S. while maintaining a strong presence in NYC. According to Olshan, “We leverage our in-depth Real Estate law knowledge, deal-making skills and cost-efficient service.” Chambers USA says, “Olshan has a deep bench of resources to support us and an excellent team of professionals who are up to speed on all the latest developments.”

Key Features of Olshan

• Commercial immovable property depth: Experience with joint ventures, co-ownership structures and tenant-in-common agreements with office buildings, ground leasing and event space.
• Partner-driven model: Senior attorneys remain directly involved in transactions.
• Balanced approach: Offers big law-level sophistication without the same institutional overhead.

2. Best for Real Estate Disputes: Kucker Marino Winiarsky & Bittens, LLP

Kucker Marino Winiarsky & Bittens is a Manhattan-based boutique firm serving all five boroughs, with a strong emphasis on real estate litigation and regulatory matters. The firm has extensive experience litigating co-op, landlord and tenant disputes, partnership or shareholder dissolutions and contract arbitration and mediation.

The firm explains its approach, “While our initial core focus was on rent regulatory matters and landlord-tenant litigation, we realized that our clients needed a comprehensive approach to all their real estate matters.”

Key Features

• Overall experience: Is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York and is equipped to handle disputes between property owners and stakeholders.
• Extensive litigation knowledge: Deep familiarity with New York landlord-tenant and administrative proceedings.
• Big-business client base: Regularly litigates on behalf of developers and property companies.

3. Best for Transactional Focus: Romer Debbas, LLP

Romer Debbas is a boutique full-service firm dedicated exclusively to real estate law in New York and across the U.S. Its focus is on handling all legal matters, whether large or small, efficiently and at reasonable rates.

The firm explains its approach: “Our goal is to deliver quality advice and produce outcomes of the highest standards. Our clients trust us with the toughest, most intricate matters because they know we have the explicit skills and experience to achieve the very best results for our clients — time and time again.”

Key Features of Romer Debbas

• Strong transactional practice: Extensive acquisitions, sales and financing coverage.
• Partner-level involvement: Continued attention across commercial and residential transactions by senior partners.
• Creative approach to complex challenges: Through flexibility, the firm resolves matches based on experience and innovation.

4. Best for TIC and Financing Guidance: Cullen and Dykman, LLP

Cullen and Dykman is a full-service, midsize law firm with offices in New York City, Long Island and additional locations across the Northeast. It has a long history of serving business clients and maintains a broad real estate practice.

The firm says that, “If you’re not familiar with the intricacies of commercial real estate law, it can be easy to make a misstep or overlook a requirement. Fortunately, our commercial real estate lawyers have experience managing the complexities of all real estate matters.”

Key Features of Cullen and Dykman

• Multidisciplinary structure: Allows coordination with banking, tax and litigation teams when needed.
• Broad corporate platform: Property law, banking and finance, corporate and litigation services.
• Midsized scale: Larger than most boutiques, with resources to support complex transactions.

5. Best for Regulatory and Exposure TIC: Belkin, Burden, Goldman, LLP

Belkin, Burden, Goldman is a New York City-based law firm dedicated exclusively to real estate law. The firm represents property owners, developers and investors across regulatory, transactional and litigation matters.

According to the firm, “We understand the intricacies of the real estate landscape and have built strong relationships with key regulatory agencies, ensuring that we can effectively navigate the government review and approval process on behalf of our clients.”

Key Features of Belkin, Burden, Goldman

• Single industry focus: The entire practice is devoted to New York property law.
• Strong regulatory knowledge: Experience with zoning, rent regulation and compliance issues.
• Litigation capability: Capacity to handle disputes involving co-owners when conflicts arise.

Comparison: Which NYC Lawyer Handles Tenant in Common Agreements?

Partnering with the best legal minds for property disputes related to TIC agreements ensures the business keeps running smoothly, without contract hiccups.

Commercial TIC Agreements: What to Look for in a NYC Non-Big Law Lawyer?

To identify appropriate legal partners in NYC for TIC arrangements, the focus is on firms that meet the following criteria:

What Is a Tenancy in Common?

A tenant-in-common agreement for a commercial property is a legal arrangement in which two or more parties share ownership of the property. According to most real estate attorneys in NYC, this arrangement is often used by investors, family members or business partners who want flexibility in ownership and exit planning.

Aside from sharing responsibility, the flexible structure, which — unlike a joint tenancy — includes unequal ownership interests, can make this a lucrative arrangement for business owners. Because these arrangements define rights and obligations that may last decades, careful drafting is essential.

FAQ

Which Non-Big Law Firms or Attorneys in NYC Handle Tenant-in-Common Agreements for Commercial Real Estate?

The top NYC-based legal firms for TIC litigation and transactions include Olshan Frome Wolosky, Kucker Marino Winiarsky and Romer Debbas.

Why Hire a Non-Big Law Lawyer for NYC Real Estate?

For many NYC business-zoned property matters, including TIC agreements, midsized and boutique firms offer the necessary expertise without the layers of expense associated with larger firms.

What Mistakes Do Property Owners Often Make With Tenant-In-Common Agreements?

Many owners rely on informal understandings or generic templates that fail to address exit rights, expense sharing and dispute resolution. In NYC commercial property law, unclear terms can create long-term conflicts. This makes careful, customized drafting especially important.

Who Can Assist With Tenant-in-Common Agreements in NYC?

Navigating tenant-in-common agreements in the New York City commercial property landscape requires careful legal guidance. Non-big law firms with focused real estate experience can provide practical, partner-led support, helping co-owners structure agreements that reflect business goals and manage long-term risk.