Leopold Z. Sher
Louisiana
Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, LLC
909 Poydras Street
Suite 2800
New Orleans, LA 70112
Tel: (504) 299-2101
Email:
lsher@shergarner.com
Web:
www.shergarner.com
Mr. Sher has extensive experience across the full range of real estate, business, and finance transactions. His real estate practice spans the development, acquisition, leasing, financing, and sale of office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, multifamily and mixed-use projects, industrial facilities, condominiums, historic rehabilitation projects, and other complex commercial properties. He has represented major institutional lenders—such as banks, insurance companies, finance companies in private and public financing, industrial development bond transactions, public-private partnerships, and New Markets Tax Credit projects. He also advises businesses on transactions and general commercial matters, and regularly represents landlords and tenants in the drafting and negotiation of sophisticated leasing and operational agreements. His clients include leading national and international companies in sectors including food services, healthcare, title insurance, and oil and gas.
Along with his practice, Mr. Sher is actively involved with many professional and trade organizations, including the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, where he served as Treasurer and a member of the Executive Board; The Association for Real Property and Infrastructure (ARPI) an organization limited in its membership to the top 50 real estate practitioners in the United States and the top 50 real estate practitioners in the United Kingdom; where he served as Treasurer and a member of the Governing Board; the Real Property Section of the American Bar Association, where Mr. Sher has served in many positions, including the Section’s governing Council and as the Section Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates; the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers, which selects its members (fellows) from those attorneys in the United States who serve the asset based lending industry; the American College of Mortgage Attorneys; the Business Section of the American Bar Association, particularly the Commercial Financial Services Committee of the Section; and the American Law Institute, where he is currently serving as a member of the Consultative Group, Restatement of the Law Corporate Governance, The U.S. Law of International Commercial Arbitration and as a member of the Consultative Group, Principles of the Law, Compliance, Enforcement, and Risk Management for Corporations, Nonprofits, and Other Organizations.
- Monte Lemann Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching, Tulane University Law School, 2025
- Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America, 2011, 2012, 2014-2022, 2024
- Best Lawyers since 2006 Administrative / Regulatory Law, Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Equipment Finance Law
- Lawdragon 500 named Mr. Sher one of its Leading Lawyers in America, 2007-2021 and one of its Top Managing Partners You Need to Know for 2008. Lawdragon named Mr. Sher a Lawdragon Legend in 2016, and in 2021
- Inducted to the Lawdragon 500 Hall of Fame. Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America member for 2024
- Louisiana Super Lawyers 2007-2023, recognized in the New Orleans Top 50 (2013-2023), Louisiana Top 10 (2007-2012, 2014-2023) and Louisiana Top 50 (2007-2023)
- Chambers and Partners 2004 – 2023 USA Rankings in Real Estate (Band 1)
- New Orleans Magazine’s 2018 Top Lawyers List for Corporate Law, International Arbitration and Securities Regulation
- Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017
- Nation’s Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2016
- Who’s Who Legal Real Estate Directory – Leading Real Estate Lawyer, 2015
- New Orleans City Business has awarded Mr. Sher the first annual Leadership in Law Award for 2005, as one of the top 50 Lawyers in New Orleans, 2005
- Voted the 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” for in Land Use and Zoning Law in New Orleans
- Best Lawyers since 2006 Financial Services Regulation Law, Franchise Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance / Land Use and Zoning / Municipal / Real Estate, Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Municipal Law
- Best Lawyers since 2006 Nonprofit / Charities Law, Project Finance Law, Real Estate Law, and Securitization and Structured Finance Law
- New York, New York: A Multi-Topic CLE Seminar, “Issues with Arbitration Clauses,” and “Choice of Law vs. Forum Selection”, Louisiana State Bar Association, November 19, 2016 – November 21, 2016
- Mr. Sher has spoken on the following topics: Expropriation/Condemnation/Eminent Domain, Capital Markets, Leopold Z. Sher, Co-managing Member (cont’d) Ethics, Real Estate Finance, Government Bailouts, Asset Based Lending, Disaster Recovery, Environmental Law, Limited Liability Companies, Workouts, Leases, Title Insurance, Lender Liability, Civil Forfeiture, Distressed Real Estate, Brokerage Agreements and Arbitration.
- Mr. Sher participates annually in the Tulane Law School Intersession “Transactional Boot Camp” program.
- He also regularly speaks on ethics and professionalism at the New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinator’s CLE Program.
- American Law Institute, Member, Consultative Group for Compliance, Enforcement, and Risk Management for Corporations, Nonprofits, and Other Organizations, 2016
- Super Lawyers Advisory Board, Member, 2014 – Present
- American College of Real Estate Lawyers, Board of Governors, Treasurer, Member
- American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Member
- American Arbitration Association, Panel of Arbitrators, Member
- Anglo American Real Property Institute, U.S. Group, Treasurer
- American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers, Member
- American Law Institute, Member; Member Consultative Group for Rest. Third, The U.S. Law of International Commercial Arbitration
- Tulane Law School Dean’s Advisory Board, Member
- Arts Council of New Orleans, Board of Directors, 2010 – Present
- New Orleans Opera Association, Secretary – Present
- Lender’s Counsel Group of the American Land Title Association (ALTA), Member
- American Bar Association, Real Property Section, Governing Counsel, Section Delegate to the House of Delegate, Member
- American Bar Association, Special Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness, 2011 – Present
- Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law’s Task Force on Real Property Law School Curriculum Committee, 2009-2010
- American Bar Association Judicial Division, Member, 2009 – Present
- American Bar Association, Business Section, Commercial Financial Services Committee, Member
- American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Member, 2000 – Present
- International Council of Shopping Centers, Member
- American Bar Foundation, Member
- Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys, Member
- Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys, Inc., Member
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- New Orleans Bar Association, Member
- CCIM, Louisiana Chapter Commercial Real Estate, Member
- Louisiana Land Title Association, Member
- Louisiana Bankers Association, Member
Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert assists clients in navigating the fast-changing real estate market, including securing alternative financing sources, responding to overbuilt market conditions and complying with complex local, state and federal environmental regulations. The firm handles all types of real estate matters, from routine purchase agreements to sophisticated development projects.
The firm has been recognized by Chambers USA as one of the “Top Litigation and Real Estate Firms” in Louisiana.
The firm represents both commercial entities and individuals in transactions involving real property, including land and structures. Its experience encompasses projects such as Class A office buildings, convention centers and planned developments. The firm provides guidance in areas including:
- Property law
- Historic preservation efforts
- Purchase and sale agreements
- Drafting and negotiation of construction contracts
- Title insurance matters and title examinations
- Quiet title actions
- Closings
- Lease negotiations and agreements
- Environmental remediation and cleanup reimbursement matters
Additional Real Estate Services
Real estate finance. The firm advises on real estate financing matters, including mortgages, debt restructuring, sale-leasebacks, like-kind exchanges, loan workouts, nontraditional financing arrangements and foreclosure. The firm also assists with the formation of real estate investment trusts (REITs) and related matters.
Real estate disputes. Sher Garner provides representation in real estate disputes, offering both litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration. These matters may involve title insurance claims, foreclosure issues, brokerage commission disputes, landlord-tenant disagreements and property management conflicts.
Real estate development and construction. The firm advises clients involved in development and construction projects across multiple industry sectors.
Zoning and land use. Sher Garner works closely with governmental entities on zoning, environmental impact reviews and land use planning matters. The firm has significant experience litigating land use and zoning disputes, as well as constitutional challenges related to municipal zoning and permitting decisions. Its lawyers are equipped to assist with concerns involving zoning, land use and eminent domain.
Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, LLC takes an attentive and client-focused approach to each matter it handles. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, the firm serves a diverse, multi-jurisdictional client base. Its team of approximately 40 attorneys provides the sophisticated legal services commonly associated with larger firms, while maintaining the personal attention and sensible staffing of a smaller practice.
The firm’s lawyers work collaboratively with one another, with experienced support staff, and with clients to deliver high-quality, efficient, and effective legal services.
When legal issues require knowledge across multiple disciplines, the firm offers single-source convenience through a broad range of practice areas. It routinely advises clients on business and corporate matters, business disputes, governmental issues, insurance concerns, employment and labor law, and additional areas of need.
The firm’s hallmark is its attention to client needs that goes beyond ordinary professional obligations. When litigation becomes necessary, its attorneys serve as strong and assertive advocates, fully prepared to protect clients’ rights. At the same time, the firm values reasonableness and cooperation, tailoring its approach to each client and each matter. Clients seeking transactional assistance can expect candid assessments and practical, direct, and economically sensible solutions.