Kathryn focuses her practice exclusively on retail leasing, bringing specialized experience within this niche area of commercial real estate. She advises institutional landlords and developers on lease negotiations, title review, due diligence, and complex development and ground lease matters, including national anchor tenants and inline shops.
Known for her practical, solutions-oriented approach, Kathryn helps clients navigate the complexities of retail leasing by balancing legal precision with business strategy. She is a strong negotiator and advocate, with a deep understanding of how lease documents reflect the business terms and commercial objectives of each deal. Clients value her clear drafting, thoughtful problem-solving, and guidance that is both legally sound and commercially realistic.
Kathryn stays current on evolving trends and issues in the retail leasing space, allowing her to anticipate challenges facing landlords and provide proactive, strategic counsel. She is recognized for being a steady, responsive partner who helps move deals forward efficiently while maintaining a focus on broader investment goals.
Prior to entering private practice, Kathryn worked at a commercial REIT, adding meaningful depth to her practice. This experience gives her firsthand insight into the operational and strategic challenges faced by property owners, enabling her to step into her clients’ shoes and offer counsel aligned with their day-to-day realities and long-term objectives.
An active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Kathryn regularly speaks at the ICSC Law Conference and the ICSC+ OKIMP Law Symposium and serves on the planning committees for both events. She has been recognized for her work in real estate by Best Lawyers® and Ohio Super Lawyers®.
Outside of her legal work, Kathryn serves on the board of Goods Bank NEO, a nonprofit focused on connecting community organizations with essential goods. She also enjoys rowing on the Cuyahoga River, racing sailboats on Lake Erie, and spending time with her family.
Representative Experience
- In 2020, Benesch exclusively represented Site Centers Corp. on all lease amendments throughout Site’s portfolio required as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Represented a multi-faceted redevelopment of an existing shopping center located in the Chicago, IL area that encompasses nearly 700,000 square feet. The project includes a land sale to a prominent national retailer that owns an adjacent parcel to allow for a store expansion by that retailer, as well as significant related site work. Benesch is coordinating all aspects of the redevelopment and transaction for the client.
- Ongoing representation of a global real estate investor in all leasing transactions, asset management work, and multiple redevelopment projects across an 11 million square foot portfolio of malls and shopping centers throughout the U.S.
- Represented the owner/developer in the leasing of an enclosed regional mall into an urban, mixed-use project, including experiential retail, office, parking, and a multifamily apartment project.
- Ongoing representation of multiple owner/developers (including publicly held REITs) in numerous leasing transactions nationwide with national, regional, and local tenants.
- Served as retail leasing counsel in several regions (including West, North, and Midwest) for an owner and operator of grocery-anchored shopping centers.
- Represented several of the largest shopping center owners in the United States in the negotiation and documentation of rent relief amendments due to COVID-19. This included the negotiation and documentation of over 1,000 lease amendments representing hundreds of millions of dollars in annual rent.
