Jon Knipe works on a wide range of real estate matters, including joint ventures, new development projects, financing, and leasing. He has spent a significant portion of his career involved in the planning, financing, development, construction, leasing, marketing, and operations of mega-projects and public-private partnerships, including the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site after 9/11 and the building of Time Warner Center on Columbus Circle.
Prior to joining the firm, Jon was executive vice president and general counsel for Silverstein Properties, Inc. He was the company’s chief legal officer and corporate secretary. He was also a member of the company’s investment committee and management committee, and one of his primary responsibilities was managing the legal and business aspects of Silverstein’s projects at the World Trade Center site. While at Silverstein, Jon integrated the risk management department into the legal department and gained extensive experience regarding insurance coverage issues. He also oversaw the acquisition of several high-profile properties across the United States and overseas.
Jon was also general counsel for Fisher Brothers, a New York City based real estate development and finance company. Before Fisher Brothers, he was a vice president at the Related Companies where he was a member of the development team that completed Time Warner Center on Columbus Circle.
Jon earned his bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University and his law degree from Delaware Law School. He is active in a number of nonprofit and educational programs, including serving on the board of trustees of the Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF); as a member and the former chairperson of the Penn State Smeal College of Business Real Estate Advisory Board and as member of the adjunct faculty at New York Law School where he teaches a seminar on real estate joint ventures, public and private.