Joseph C. Shenker
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Recognized since 2001
New York, New York
Real Estate Law

At the end of 2012, The Financial Times stated that Joseph C. Shenker is “one of the rare lawyers who can turn his hand to many legal disciplines.” This observation highlights Mr. Shenker’s practice that includes experience in negotiated mergers and acquisitions (public and private); domestic and cross-border joint ventures; the representation of private equity investors and family investment offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia; securities offerings; private and public financings; commercial real estate; professional sports-related transactions; and tax and estate planning.
A personal adviser to dozens of the world’s most active and influential business leaders and families, he has counseled clients on significant transactional matters across a number of practice areas and industry sectors.
Mr. Shenker joined S&C in 1980, became a partner of the Firm in 1986, led the Firm’s global commercial real estate practice for over 20 years, has been a member of the Firm’s Management Committee since 1996, was named vice chairman of the Firm in 2006, and became chairman of the Firm on January 1, 2010.
Among his pro bono and community activities, Mr. Shenker is a member of the Steering Committee of the Board of Visitors of Columbia Law School and a member of the Board of Trustees of The Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Mr. Shenker has been recognized in numerous publications, including Chambers, Euromoney, Mondaq, New York Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America©.
Contact & Links
- Lawyer Page: https://www.sullcrom.com/lawyers/JosephC-Shenker
Location
- 125 Broad Street
New York, NY 10004-2498
Education
- Columbia University School of Law , JD, graduated 1980
Bar Admissions
- New York, New York Bar
83 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
15 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America awards

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Real Estate Law, New York City (2012)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 for work in:
- Real Estate Law
Awards:
- Named one of the “Top Ten Agents of Change” by The Financial Times’ U.S. Innovative Lawyers 2012 report (November 2012)
- Recognized as “Dealmaker of the Week” by The Am Law Daily for his representation of the seller—Frank McCourt—in the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers to Guggenheim Baseball Management (April 1, 2012)
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Commercial Real Estate, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016; REITS, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016; Securities, 2010)
- Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business (REITs, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; Commercial Real Estate, 2002, 2003)
- The Legal 500 United States, Volume IV (Commercial Real Estate, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- New York Super Lawyers (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers: Best of the Best (Commercial Real Estate, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
- PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook (Commercial Real Estate, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
- PLC Cross-border Corporate Real Estate Handbook (2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2012-2013)
- The International Who’s Who of Real Estate Lawyers (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
- The International Who’s Who of Sports and Entertainment Lawyers (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- Lawdragon 500: Leading Lawyers in America (Mergers, Commercial Real Estate, Corporate Governance, Bankruptcy, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016; Banking and Finance, 2006)
Publications
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