Howard Grossman

Senior Counsel

Howard is a nationally recognized real estate attorney who has been representing developers, operators, investors, and lenders in their most complex transactions for more than 40 years. He is a leading practitioner in the joint venture arena, adept at structuring sophisticated, multi-party agreements, and negotiating transactions involving diverse capital sources such as private equity, public finance, preferred equity, and senior debt. Howard also focuses his practice on guiding development of urban mixed-use projects that include hotel, apartment, retail, and/or office space.

With vast experience representing both institutional investors and operating partners, Howard offers a 360-degree perspective centered on a deep understanding of the needs and interests of all participants. He has earned a reputation for his ability to view a transaction not just in legal terms, but in business terms as well. He approaches every project with an eye toward fostering cooperation among all parties, identifying practical solutions, and achieving clients’ overarching business goals.

As counsel to owners across all commercial real estate asset classes, with particular focus on hotels, Howard has represented clients in the structuring, negotiation, and documentation of arrangements with lenders, tenants, franchisors, managers, and other constituent parties to address unforeseen stress in the real estate market. Owners of full-service, upscale, convention center, and other hotel properties turned to Howard for help on issues involving the closure, suspension, and limitation of service attendant to the coronavirus pandemic.

Howard's keen appreciation of client priorities comes in part from having devoted nearly 10 years to serving as a senior manager at two well-known Philadelphia-area real estate investment firms. He was director of acquisitions for a top 50 multifamily owner and operator, and chief investment and chief operating officer of a regional multifamily owner and operator whose portfolio included more than 30 assets in eight states. In these positions, Howard was responsible for sourcing, underwriting, financing, and closing multifamily property acquisitions, establishing and managing joint venture equity relationships, and directing the operations and management of the portfolio properties.

Howard is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and has served as a moderator and participant on a number of real estate industry panels. He is involved in a number of charitable endeavors through the Federation of Jewish Agencies, serving as a member of Jewish Federation Real Estate.

Experience

News

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

Cozen O’Connor Represents Equus Capital Partners, Ltd. in Nearly $1 Billion Acquisition of Industrial Real Estate Portfolio

February 07, 2022

Philadelphia, February 7, 2022 – Cozen O'Connor represented affiliates of Equus Capital Partners, Ltd. in the acquisition of a portfolio of industrial properties throughout the Southeast and Sun Belt.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

82 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 19 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2021 Guide

May 26, 2021

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 82 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2021 edition; of those, 15 lawyers have been recognized nationally.

Cozen O’Connor Represents Equus Capital Partners, Ltd. in $1 Billion Multi-Tiered Real Estate Transaction

April 20, 2021

Cozen O'Connor represented affiliates of Equus Capital Partners, Ltd. in a multi-tiered transaction that included the sale of two portfolios of industrial properties throughout the Southeastern United States.

200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 20, 2020

Best Lawyers selected 200 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).

63 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 16 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2020 Guide

May 14, 2020

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 63 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2020 edition.

Publications

Fiscal Cliff Act Impacts on Energy Efficiency Credits [Real Estate Alert]

January 07, 2013

Besides extending the lower tax rates for millions of Americans, as well as avoiding across the board federal budget cuts, the eleventh-hour legislative compromise reinstated two business and personal tax credits applicable to energy efficiency residences and appliances. Contractors or developers of homes or low-rise multi-family projects, as well as individuals considering energy efficient renovations or appliance purchases, should consider the availability of these tax credits.

The Push for a Greener Philadelphia: City Adopts New Energy Benchmarking Requirements for Owners of Large Commercial Buildings [Real Estate Alert]

December 14, 2012

In August 2012, the mayor of Philadelphia signed into law Bill 120428-A, which establishes new energy benchmarking requirements for owners of certain large commercial and mixed-use buildings. The energy benchmarking bill requires owners of “covered buildings” to report and disclose data annually related to energy and water usage and other building characteristics.1 Covered buildings include any commercial building with at least 50,000 square feet, and all commercial portions of any mixed-use building where at least 50,000 square feet of the building is devoted to commercial use.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Bisnow: Philadelphia State of the Market 2018

April 25, 2018 - Philadelphia, PA

4th Annual Philadelphia Multifamily Summit

October 28, 2014 - Philadelphia, PA

Education

  • University of Florida, J.D., 1976
  • New York University, LL.M., 1977

Awards & Honors

Chambers and Partners USA, 2017-2024
* This award is conferred by Chambers and Partners. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Urban Land Institute
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association