Profile
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 2022-2023
- 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, 2002
- Editorial Board, Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review
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Ph.D., Political Science, Northwestern University, 1993
- Outstanding Dissertation Student Award
- M.A., Political Science, Northwestern University, 1987
- B.A., Oklahoma State University, 1986
Admissions
- New York