Larry Welch

Larry Welch is a partner and Chair of the Real Estate Group, specializing in high-profile real estate transactions for clients in entertainment, advertising, restaurants, and professional services. 

He handles leases, purchases, sales, construction, and financings of diverse commercial properties such as retail stores, restaurants, and office spaces nationwide. Mr. Welch supports clients throughout their real estate ventures, from starting businesses to acquiring investment properties and personal residences. 

In addition to his real estate transactions practice, Mr. Welch works with the Frankfurt Kurnit Litigation Group to resolve real estate-related disputes, and with the Frankfurt Kurnit Hospitality Group to provide legal advice to restaurateurs and their business partners.

He chairs the New York City Bar Association’s Hospitality Law Committee and has spoken on real estate topics for various organizations. Mr. Welch is an active member and former Chair of the “Prep in Real Estate” Alumni Committee for “Prep for Prep.”

He holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and a B.A. from Vassar College and is admitted to practice in New York. 

awards & recognition

Lawyers of Color: Law Firm Leaders 2022

education

Fordham University School of Law (J.D.)

Vassar College (B.A.)

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

New York City Bar Association Hospitality Law Event

Larry Welch hosts a New York City Bar Association Hospitality Law Committee event at Frankfurt Kurnit.

May 20 2025

2025 Restaurant Law Conference

Larry Welch is a speaker for the session "Real Estate Issues" during the 2025 Restaurant Law Conference hosted by the New York City Bar Association. Details here.

September 26 2025

Past Speaking Engagements

Top Provisions to Look Out for When Negotiating a Restaurant Lease

Larry Welch is a speaker for the session, "Top Provisions to Look Out for When Negotiating a Restaurant Lease" during a webinar hosted by the Federal Bar Association. Details here.

January 23 2025

Introduction to Due Diligence in Commercial Real Estate Sales: Buyer and Seller Considerations, Pitfalls to Avoid

Larry Welch is a panelist for the session, "Introduction to Due Diligence in Commercial Real Estate Sales: Buyer and Seller Considerations, Pitfalls to Avoid" during a webinar hosted by Strafford.

October 28 2024

Restaurant Law in New York City

Larry Welch is a panelist for the session, "Restaurant Law in New York City" during a webinar hosted by the New York City Bar Association. Read more.

May 15 2024

Restaurant Law in New York City

Larry Welch presents, "Real Estate Issues" during the Restaurant Law in New York City webinar hosted by the New York City Bar Association. Read more.

May 10 2023

Detecting Legal Issues in Appraisal Reports, Commercial Leases, Environmental Assessments

Larry Welch presents, “Detecting Legal Issues in Appraisal Reports, Commercial Leases” during a webinar for Strafford. Read more.

March 8 2023

ReWIREd – Adventures in Rehabbing Baltimore

Larry Welch moderates the panel, “ReWIREd – Adventures in Rehabbing Baltimore” hosted by Prep Alumni Council Real Estate. Read more.

May 9 2022

Retail Lease and Guaranty Agreements – Pandemic Updates

Larry Welch presents, "Retail Lease and Guaranty Agreements – Pandemic Updates" during a CLE presentation for Judicial Title. Read more.

February 10 2022

Opening a Restaurant in New York City: Legal Issue Boot Camp

Larry Welch presented, “Five Courses of Restaurant Leasing,” during a New York City Bar Association program in connection with the Opening a Restaurant in New York City: Legal Issue Boot Camp.

March 1 2017

news & press

Avoid the “Change of Control” Trap to Keep Your Finance and Sale Deals Moving Forward

Commercial leases often require tenants who are selling or refinancing their companies to obtain landlord consent prior to transfers, assignments or sublets. But not all “Transfer, Assignment or Sublet” clauses are created equally. And giving a landlord too broad an approval right for changes in control can create headaches for commercial tenants—including lost business opportunities, or even lost lease rights. Here’s how to avoid a common trap. Read more.

Opening Your Restaurant: Avoid the “Good Guy Guaranty” Leasing Trap

Chefs and other restaurateurs face myriad legal issues when launching a new eatery. One of the most common legal issues that we see arises from the so-called “Good Guy Guaranty” leasing clause—a widely misunderstood agreement that can create a false sense of security about a restaurant owner’s potential monetary exposure under their real estate lease. (Note: we use the common industry term 'good guy guaranty' clause in this alert while recognizing it is potentially outdated.) Below, we identify this trap and outline some steps that aspiring restaurateurs can take to avoid it. Read more.

The Real Deal Magazine Largest Deal of the Day

Congratulations to our client, Sandra Halpern, whose sale of a commercial property in Queens, New York, was featured in The Real Deal as the largest deal of the day. Frankfurt Kurnit’s Larry Welch advised Ms. Halpern on the sale, Adam J. Osterweil advised on trust and estate issues, and Michael La Femina, Réne Scotland, Nikki Torain, Hilary Geier, and Don Thoresen provided valuable assistance in closing the deal. View Article

Frankfurt Kurnit Represents Prodject LLC in its Sale to The Independents Group, Inc.

New York-based Prodject LLC (“Prodject”), the renowned creative agency specializing in brand strategy, design and execution for events and content in fashion, music, art, and popular culture, was acquired by The Independents Group, Inc., a global marketing and communications company. Read more.

Lawyers of Color: Law Firm Leaders 2022

Lawyers of Color included Lisa E. Davis and Larry Welch as Law Firm Leaders. Law Firm Leaders is a comprehensive directory of minority law firm leaders who are either managing partners, executive committee members, or practice group heads. View Article

Frankfurt Kurnit Adds Real Estate Practice Chair

Crain’s New York, The New York Law Journal, Law360, and The New York Real Estate Journal covered the news that Larry Welch joined the firm as a partner and chair of our real estate group. View Article

Frankfurt Kurnit Adds Real Estate Partner Larry Welch

Frankfurt Kurnit has added Larry Welch as a partner in the firm’s Real Estate Group. Read more.