20 Commerce Drive in Cranford — Courtesy: Newmark Knight Frank
By Joshua Burd
A global law firm is leasing nearly 35,000 square feet in Cranford as part of a relocation from its longtime headquarters, in a transaction announced Thursday by Newmark Knight Frank.
Brokers with NKF represented the practice, Lerner David, in the 10-year, 34,373-square-foot deal at 20 Commerce Drive. The global intellectual property boutique law firm is moving operations from Westfield, where it had been for nearly all of its 50-year history.
NKF Vice Chairman David Simson, the firm’s chief operating officer in New Jersey, and Associate Director Dan Reider represented Lerner David alongside Michael Jones of Cole Schotz. CBRE Executive Vice President Joseph Sarno Jr. and Eric Zabarkus represented the landlord, Signature Acquisitions.
“We are delighted to support Lerner David in the relocation of their firm headquarters to Cranford,” Simson said. “This property was a particularly compelling option given its location and easy accessibility, combined with the modernized workspaces Signature Acquisitions has been developing at 20 Commerce Drive.”
Lerner David, which also has offices in Japan and China, will now be headquartered at a building with direct access to the Garden State Parkway. Since acquiring 20 Commerce in 2017 as part of a Mack-Cali Realty Corp. portfolio, Signature Acquisitions has begun to modernize the building with upgraded cafeteria space, conference centers and an on-site management office.
“As we strive to retain current talent and attract future attorneys to grow and strengthen each of our practice areas, we are pleased to deliver the kind of workplace talent of that caliber seeks,” said Keith Gilman, co-managing partner of Lerner David. “We look forward to continuing to serve our clients in this new location.”
