Experience
Leigh Hellner is a seasoned attorney with over 25 years of experience in commercial real estate law, including time as in-house counsel to a major developer and as private counsel to institutions across the Midwest. Known for her sharp legal insight and pragmatic business acumen, Leigh focuses on helping clients achieve their goals through carefully negotiated deals and forward-thinking strategies.
Leigh counsels a broad range of clients — developers, investors, not-for-profits, and educational institutions — on all aspects of commercial real estate:
- Retail, office, and industrial leasing
- Acquisition and disposition of commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family properties
- Financing transactions for both borrowers and lenders
- Public-private partnerships
- Urban redevelopment and institutional expansion projects
She is committed to balancing technical detail with strategic vision, offering practical solutions that move projects forward efficiently.
Notable Results
- Redevelopment – Cleveland Urban Core-Led acquisition and adaptive reuse in Ohio City, University Circle & East 4th Street
- Office Leasing– Negotiated 50+ leases for Chicago-based real estate owner in downtown Cleveland
- Regional Shopping Center– Represented suburban developer in acquisition and build-out
- Higher Education Expansion– Assisted private university with campus modernization in University Circle
- Mixed-Use Apartment Project– Seven-story complex with 350-space garage in Little Italy
- In-House Counsel– Oversaw deals for 35-property regional shopping center investment firm
- Warehouse & Industrial Portfolio– Guided 25M sq. ft. portfolio through financing, leasing & transactions
- Student Housing Development– Facilitated 315-unit residential joint venture with a state university
Professional and Civic Engagements:
- Member, LawPact®
- Member, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Recognition and Honors:
- AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Crain’s Cleveland Business “40 Under 40”, 2010
- Ohio Super Lawyer®, 2015–2020
- Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star®, 2005, 2006, 2009–2011
Leigh lives in Shaker Heights and enjoys time with her two adult children. Outside the office, she loves music, visual arts, and hiking with her two Labrador Retrievers.
Contact Info
Education
B.A., with Honors, Northwestern University
J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School
