The commercial leasing arena is in a period of steady transformation, driven by new appellate decisions, shifting business realities, and increasing attention from policymakers. This CLE program equips practitioners with an updated understanding of these changes and their practical consequences for clients on both sides of the lease.

The session begins by revisiting the fundamentals of Guaranty Law, tracing how recent rulings have refined its scope and altered the way courts evaluate landlord–tenant obligations. From there, the program examines a series of notable decisions—among them the Court of Appeals’ opinion in 1995 Owner LLC v. West Side Advisors LLC—and unpacks the lessons these cases offer for negotiating, drafting, and litigating commercial leases and guaranties.

Participants will gain strategies for strengthening key contractual provisions to better manage risk and address the vulnerabilities highlighted by current case law. The program will also explore the growing conversation around commercial rent regulation, outlining potential impacts on the leasing market and discussing the role of legal advocacy as proposals continue to surface and evolve.