Neil S. Kessler

Partner

Richmond
Business Phone: 804.697.1450
Business Fax: 804.698.6002

neil.kessler@troutmansanders.com

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Neil has extensive experience in all areas of commercial real estate, including the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, construction, and sale of apartment projects, office buildings, shopping centers, office parks, manufacturing facilities, hotels, mixed-use projects, and residential developments. He regularly advises banks, mortgage brokers, and insurance companies on commercial real estate matters, including workouts and foreclosures. In addition, he has recently prepared the construction contracts and bid materials for a major semiconductor manufacturer.

Publications
"When Required Insurance Is Unavailable At Any Price--Reallocating Casualty Risk Post 9/11 and Katrina," ABA Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, April 2007.

"Basic Insurance Issues for Commercial Real Estate Attorneys Including Indemnity, Hold Harmless and Subrogation," U.S. Shopping Center Law Conference, October 2006.

"Insurance Issues Every Real Estate Lawyer Should Understand," U.S. Shopping Center Law Conference, October 2004.

"Is Armageddon Insurable?," American College of Real Estate Lawyers, Spring 2002, co-author.

"Insurance and Indemnity Issues: An Update Since the Events of 9/11," 2002 Real Property Section Annual Meeting, North Carolina Bar Association.

Real Estate Transactions in Virginia, 2001, 2003, 2008 and 2012 editions, co-editor.

“Negotiating Construction Documents: Include The Contractor,” Probate & Property, January/February 2001.

Virginia Editor for “A State-By-State Guide To Construction & Design Law,” American Bar Association Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law.

"Case Note on Environmental Law: Calvert Cliff's Coordinating Committee, Inc. v. AEC, 449 F.2d 1109 (D.C. Cir. 1971)," George Washington Law Review, May 1972.

"Proposed Legislation of Interest to Real Estate Attorneys," Real Property Newsletter of Virginia State Bar, summer 1987.

Co-author of monthly legal column for Construction Specifications Institute of Richmond (VA) Newsletter (1989-1993).

Speaking Engagements
Frequent lecturer at International Council of Shopping Centers Law Conferences.

American Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Law meetings on topics relating to insurance and indemnity, construction contracts and financing.

Current Civic Activities
Leadership Metro Richmond (Chairman of the Board, 2011 – Present; Board of Trustees, 2006 – Present)

Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce (Executive Committee 2003 –2010; Trustee, 2011 – Present; Board of Directors, 2012-Present)

Greater Richmond Chamber Foundation (Board, 2010 – Present)

Valentine History Museum (Board of Trustees, 2006 – Present)

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Foundation (Board of Trustees, 2004 – 2010)

Jewish Community Federation of Richmond (President, 2006 – 2008)

Richmond Jewish Foundation (President – 2004 – 2006; Board of Trustees, 2007 – Present)

Former President of The Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts

Other Distinctions
Recognized in The International Who's Who of Real Estate Lawyers 2010

Selected for inclusion in the May/June 2010 Law & Politics’ Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition; Selected by Law & Politics as a Virginia Super Lawyer in Real Estate (2006-2011)

Achieved Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards

Named to Virginia Business magazine’s Legal Elite in Real Estate/Land Use (2004-2011)

Recognized in Best Lawyers in America in Real Estate Law (2007-2011) 

Presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Henrico Business Council of the Greater Richmond Chamber (April 2006)

Fellow, Virginia Law Foundation

Henrico Business Leaders (Board of Directors, 2010-Present)

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Education

  • The George Washington University, J.D., cum laude, 1973
  • Washington and Lee University, B.A., cum laude, 1969


Bar Admissions

  • Virginia


Memberships

  • Virginia State Bar Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course Faculty (2010-2013)
  • Richmond Real Estate Group (Assistant Secretary, 2010-2011; Secretary, 2011-Present)
  • American College of Real Estate Lawyers (Board of Governors, 2000-2005)
  • American Bar Association (Fellow, ABA Law Foundation; Member, Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law/Real Property Division; Membership Committee (2011-present); Commercial Real Estate Transactions Committee (Chair, 2008-2011); Committee on Design and Construction Contracts, Co-Chair, Design and Construction Subcommittee, 1996-2006; Committee on Property and Casualty Insurance, Chair, 2006 - Present; Committee on Recent Developments in Real Estate Law)
  • Virginia State Bar (Real Estate Section, Past President, currently member of Board of Directors)
  • Virginia Bar Association (Real Estate Section)
  • Richmond Bar Association (Real Estate Section, former President)
  • Member of Construction Specifications Institute
  • Member of International Council of Shopping Centers (Member of Law Conference Program Committee)
  • Member of Advisory Board of Virginia Land Information Project of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service (1986 - 2000)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University Real Estate Circle of Excellence (Past President, currently member of Board of Governors)