Leo Jacobs

Leo tirelessly and zealously works to build trust and long-standing relationships with his clients, who rely on his counsel, representation, negotiation, and advocacy to forge speedy, practical paths to move forward.

From the courtroom to the board room, Leo has a demonstrated talent for devising, positioning, and advancing sophisticated yet straightforward arguments to mitigate risk and reach successful outcomes.

Leveraging his vast and deep knowledge of debt and equity structures, Leo employs all legal tools available to quickly and efficiently achieve the best result for his clients. As such, his law practice seamlessly bridges commercial litigation, corporate transactions, and various forms of financial rehabilitation across federal, state, and bankruptcy courts as well as administrative tribunals and other forums. Examples include Chapter 11, UCC 9, UCC 8, pledges, mezzanine financing, subprime commercial lending, real estate, asset management, special situations, and restructurings. He also counsels clients on tough questions related to business disputes, regulatory compliance, employment law, and fiduciary and agency interests, including those related to allegations of white-collar and other corporate crimes.

Previously, Leo served as General Counsel at New York Equity Management, LLC, a privately held company that focused on the full lifecycle of real estate litigation finance investments (acquisition, construction, development, management, leasing, and sale) and held a portfolio of distressed and other commercial and residential properties. His role at NYEM straddled legal and business issues, from advising management on commercial matters, litigation, real estate, and compliance to spearheading efforts that increased the value of the firm’s properties upon sale.

Earlier in his legal career, Leo also served as an associate attorney at the prominent administrative and environmental law firm, Cohen Hochman & Allen. At Cohen Hochman, Leo defended and advanced the interests of high-profile management before federal, state, and New York City government agencies and the courts. He represented clients across a range of industries and under various regulatory regimes, including health, transportation, sanitation, air, water, hospitality, and waste removal. During his tenure at the firm, he appeared daily in court and was recognized for his ability to address novel compliance issues, reduce violations, and negotiate settlements with governmental and civil litigants.

Among other non-profit and community service, Leo has also devoted hours of pro bono representation to the Bukharian Jewish People and acts as its Chief Counsel, serving at the request of President Leon Nektalov and the Board of the Bukharian Jewish Community Center.