Recognized by Chambers

David's clients say it best: “There's rarely a time where something comes up that David doesn't know the answer to; he is just a great resource for our clients." - Chambers 2024

New York Times insider

David has been quoted frequently in The New York Times, giving an insider’s view about up and coming commercial real estate projects in Philadelphia.

David admits that he has the messiest desk
in the firm

But when challenged he has proven time and again that he has the uncanny ability to locate any piece of paper on a moment’s notice.

David M. Scolnic helps clients realize their goals in acquiring, developing, constructing, financing, investing, leasing, and managing large and small real estate projects and portfolios locally, nationally and internationally.

In addition to representing traditional real estate clients – such as developers, investors, lenders, and brokers – David represents companies that do not consider themselves to be in the real estate business but nonetheless have substantial ongoing real estate needs. Whether representing a budding business in leasing its first office or one of the nation’s foremost providers of rehabilitation services in creating a new hospital in Los Angeles, David meets the real estate needs of his clients.

With a master’s degree in City Planning, David has extensive experience handling projects using a myriad of public grants, loans and other participation – whether financial or otherwise – from various levels of government, including local, state and federal.  David has helped clients bring to fruition both urban and “inner-ring” suburban redevelopment.

Representative Matters

  • For nearly 15 years, David has represented the Township of Lower Merion, Pa., in its quest to create a state-of-the-art, mixed use “transit oriented development” in Ardmore, Pa.
  • David represents Select Medical Corporation, a leading provider of rehabilitation health care services and long term acute care, in the construction, acquisition, sale and leasing of rehabilitation hospitals, long term acute care hospitals, and other health care facilities in over 20 states, from Florida to California.
  • David represents United States Cold Storage, Inc., one of the nation’s largest refrigerated warehousing companies, in development of its facilities across the country, including one at the old Bethlehem Steel site, reputed to be the nation’s largest brownfields redevelopment project. The facility has grown to over 450,000 square feet of refrigeration and freezer space.
  • For over 25 years, David has represented Oliver Tyrone Pulver Corporation and affiliates in redevelopment and leasing of approximately 1,500,000 square feet of office and hotel space in the Tower Bridge development project in the boroughs Conshohocken and West Conshohocken, Pa. Once an old steel-producing area, the area is now thriving with new businesses and residents.
  • David has represented Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA, one of the world’s largest producers of absorbent hygiene products, packaging solutions, and publication papers, in a variety of leasing matters, including the leasing of a North American headquarters in Philadelphia.
  • David is proud to represent, on a pro bono basis, East Park Leadership And Conservation Center, a unique joint venture between National Audubon Society and Philadelphia Outward Bound in their creation of a new “Discovery Center” on over 50 acres of park land in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which will provide conservation of habitats for birds and also outdoor and leadership opportunities for urban youth.

Honors & Awards

AWARD METHODOLOGIES

Named in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in Real Estate

Listed in Pennsylvania Best Lawyers for Real Estate, 2022-2024

Listed in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for Real Estate, 2005-2024

Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Real Estate Law, 2024 – 2025

New York University School of Law Annual Survey of American Law, Articles Editor, 1985 – 1986

Publications & Lectures

“Pennsylvania: Real Estate Trends, Developments, and Concerns,” Chambers USA 2021, May 2021

“Trends and Developments in Pennsylvania Real Estate,” Chambers USA 2020 Regional Real Estate Guide, May 2020

“Force Majeure, Impracticability, Frustration of Purpose, and Other Legal Issues Relating to Real Estate Responses to COVID-10,” Hangley Aronchick Real Estate Alert, March 18, 2020

“Joint Venture Agreements: The Marriage of Convenience, ” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, April 28, 2014, and April 11, 2016

“The Developer’s Perspective: Redevelopment Projects and How Redevelopment Authorities Can Assist in Financing in an Ever-Changing Financial World,” Using Redevelopment Law to Transform Blighted Areas Panel, Pennsylvania Bar Association 2012 Spring Meeting, May 9, 2012

Panel member, “Legal Opinions – Current Issues and Trends,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute Real Estate Institute, December 7, 2011, and August 7, 2012

Lectured numerous times at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania regarding urban redevelopment

“Re-Opening Closing Opinions: A Current Look at Critical Issues in Real Estate Opinions,” Coordinator and Presenter, ALI-ABA Video Webcast, May 26, 2011

“Working with Various Redevelopment, Municipal and Industrial Development Authorities: the Developer’s Perspective,”  Business of Brownfields Seminar, Pittsburgh, PA, April 19, 2010, and PA Brownfields Seminar, September 28, 2010

“Understanding Warehousemen’s Liens,” HB Litigation Conferences at NFI Industries, Cherry Hill, NJ, March 15, 2010

“UECA Implications for Real Estate Transactions,” Conference on Uniform Environmental Covenants Act, Fairless Hills, Pa., February 19, 2009

“Juggling Multiple Public and Private Funding Sources in Real Estate Development,” ABA Annual Convention, San Francisco, California, August, 1997

Adjunct Faculty at Villanova University School of Law, Lawyering Skills Program, Construction Contracts and Leasing, 1994-2000

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Memberships & Community

National Association of Industrial and Office Properties

Philadelphia VIP Program, 1986 – Present
Board of Directors, 2000-2001

American Bar Association Section on Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, 1986 – Present
Subcommittee on Asset Management, 1997-1998
Subcommittee on Public/Private Partnerships in Real Estate Development, 1995-1997

Philadelphia Bar Association, Real Property Section, Executive Committee

Pennsylvania Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Former Member, Section Council
Past Chair, Section Committee on Title Insurance

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