Our Attorneys
James Harrington
Partner
Biography
James Harrington leads the firm's real estate practice. He represents owners, developers, and investors in the acquisition, financing, leasing, and disposition of commercial and residential property.
Real estate work is detail work, and Mr. Harrington is a detail lawyer who never loses the shape of the deal. Clients know him for the same quality in every matter: he answers when the deadline matters, and he flags the issue that would otherwise surface after closing.
- Education
- J.D., Fordham University School of Law; B.A., Boston College
- Bar Admissions
- New York
- Memberships
- New York State Bar Association, Real Property Law Section; New York City Bar Association
Professional Background
A considered practice.
Mr. Harrington spent a decade in the real estate department of a New York firm, closing acquisitions, financings, and leases for institutional and private clients before joining Williams Cummings to lead its real estate practice.
His matters include purchases and sales of office, retail, and multifamily property; ground and space leases; construction and permanent financing; and the joint venture structures that pair capital with development skill. He works alongside the firm's corporate and estate planning lawyers when a property is a family asset or a business one.
Representative Experience
Work with a purpose.
- Represented a developer in the acquisition and construction financing of a mixed-use building in Brooklyn.
- Negotiated a portfolio of commercial leases for a retail client rolling out new locations across the tri-state area.
- Advised a family on the disposition of a multifamily property and the tax-conscious structuring of the sale proceeds.
- Structured a joint venture between a landowner and a developer for the redevelopment of an industrial site.
Approach
How James works.
Mr. Harrington translates contracts, diligence, and conditions into plain counsel so owners make informed decisions at every step. He runs a disciplined deal, with checklists, deadlines, and no open ends at closing.
He is candid about what a property is worth arguing over and what it is not. Clients appreciate an advocate willing to tell them when a point costs more to fight for than it is worth.