A.Y. Strauss is pleased to announce that Jon D. Kelty has joined as a partner in the firm’s Commercial Real Estate Group.

Jon focuses on commercial real estate matters, particularly retail leasing. He effectively negotiates for clients, leveraging insights gained from his previous senior roles in both in-house legal and business positions. His strategic guidance enables clients to achieve practical solutions in their commercial real estate endeavors.

“Jon’s extensive experience and business-minded approach make him an invaluable asset to our team,” said Aaron Y. Strauss, firm managing partner. “His unique background in both legal and business roles will enhance our service offerings and help our clients navigate complex real estate transactions.”

With a proven track record in the real estate sector, Jon has worked on a wide range of projects, including lease negotiations, acquisitions, and development agreements. His comprehensive understanding of both the legal and business aspects of real estate enable him to provide clients with holistic advice tailored to their specific needs. As part of A.Y. Strauss, Jon aims to further strengthen the firm’s reputation as a leader in commercial real estate law.

“I’m excited to join the talented group of lawyers at A.Y. Strauss,” said Kelty. “This role will allow me to leverage my retail leasing experience to support our clients and work closely with the team to elevate our practice and achieve outstanding results together.”

Before joining A.Y. Strauss, Jon was a leasing executive at Simon Property Group, where he completed nearly 1,000 leases totaling almost 3 million square feet. He also held in-house positions with Vornado Realty Trust and a major construction management firm, and gained valuable experience as an associate in the Real Estate Departments at Cole Schotz and Lowenstein Sandler.