Benesch Welcomes Partner Duncan Delano to Real Estate and Cannabis Practice Groups

Benesch is pleased to announce that Duncan Delano has joined the firm’s Real Estate and Cannabis Practice Groups as a partner in its growing New York office. A strategic business advisor to both real estate and cannabis industry clients, Duncan structures, negotiates and closes complex real estate transactions and advises cannabis clients on operational, regulatory and licensing matters.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Duncan to the team,” said Real Estate Vice Chair Jared Oakes. “His cross-disciplinary experience at the intersection of real estate and cannabis law brings significant value to clients operating in highly regulated markets and strengthens our presence in New York’s dynamic real estate sector.”

“I’m excited to contribute to the continued growth of Benesch’s New York real estate group,” said Duncan. “The firm is expanding not only in New York but nationwide, and it’s energizing to be part of that momentum. The real estate team is building something special and I’m confident we’ll achieve lasting success.”

Duncan focuses his practice on real estate financing transactions, representing both lenders and borrowers, where he assists clients on mortgage, construction, bridge and mezzanine loans, repurchase lending, loan participations, sale-leasebacks, co-lender and intercreditor agreements, collateralized loan and debt obligations, and other financings and syndications, loan modifications, restructurings, and workouts.   Duncan also handles all types of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions of real estate and debt, joint ventures, and commercial leasing involving office, retail, industrial, hospitality, and mixed-use properties nationwide.

In the cannabis industry, Duncan is at the forefront of the highly regulated adult-use markets in New York and New Jersey. He helps clients acquire, maintain, finance, and sell cannabis licenses, structure and scale cannabis businesses, and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. He currently chairs the New York City Bar Association’s Cannabis, Drugs & the Law Committee.

Prior to joining Benesch, Duncan was a partner at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Lewis & Clark Law School and his B.S. in Environmental Geoscience from Boston College.

Benesch’s New York office opened in 2023 with just eight attorneys and has since grown to nearly 50, many of whom joined from leading Big Law firms. The office continues to play a vital role in Benesch’s strategic expansion.