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Nick Hockens concentrates his practice on the representation of developers, institutions and non-profit organizations before the New York City Planning Commission, Board of Standards and Appeals, and Landmarks Preservation Commission. He represents clients in a variety of New York land use and zoning matters, including re-zonings, special permits, variances, designations and alterations of landmarked buildings, and air rights transactions.

Concentrations

  • Land use and zoning

Capabilities

Experience

  • Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, Nick was an associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP and represented developers, investors, landlords, tenants and other parties in a wide variety of commercial real estate transactions, including sales and acquisitions, developments, financings and leasings of office, luxury residential, retail and mixed-use properties.
  • Nick has worked in Seattle as an urban planner for the Federal Transit Administration  (1996-1999) and the Puget Sound Regional Council of Governments (1994-1996).
  • In his Ph.D. dissertation, Nick studied the role of architecture, urban space and privacy in facilitating political deliberation.

Recognition & Leadership

  • Team Member, City & State, "Top 50 NYC Lobbyists," 2021  
  • Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Real Estate - Land Use/Zoning, 2021-2023     
  • Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Real Estate and Construction - Land Use/Zoning, 2015-2020
  • Team Member, Chambers & Partners USA Real Estate Law Firm of the Year, 2017-2018 and 2022
  • Team Member, a U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, "Law Firm of the Year" in Real Estate Law, 2015
  • Team Member, a Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2011-2013, 2015, and 2022
  • Team Member, The Legal 500 United States, "Top Tier" Firm in Real Estate, 2013 and 2014
  • Member, Winning Team, Chambers USA Award for Excellence, Real Estate, 2010 and 2013

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., Harvard Law School
    • Editorial Board, Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review
  • Ph.D., Political Science, Northwestern University
    • Outstanding Dissertation Student Award
  • M.A., Political Science, Northwestern University
  • B.A., Oklahoma State University
Admissions
  • New York