Speaking Engagements

May 5, 2023

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

Commercial Leases in a Post-Covid Era: Case Review & Drafting Tips

The purpose of this program is to provide an update on the significant cases dealing with Covid and commercial Leases with a particular focus on rent abatement, construction delays and insurance. We then examine the impact of these cases on the ways that commercial leases are drafted and negotiated.

Sponsored by CEB

May 18, 2023

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

Relocation – Commercial Lease Clauses & Amendments

Commercial leases often grant landlords the right to relocate a tenant. Tenants do not like this provision and often vigorously negotiate. This webinar examines some compromises that can be made to a relocation provision and then provides an overview of key terms in a relocation amendment.

Sponsored by the Real Property Law Section

June 15, 2023

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

How to Decide if You Are Ready to Go Solo

Part of the CLA 2023 Virtual Solo and Small Firm Summit

TBD

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

Organizer & Moderator, “Beginner’s Guide to Commercial Leasing in England”

Commercial Leasing Around the Globe Series, sponsored by the Real Property Law Section, the International Law Section of the California Lawyers Association, and Women in Leasing Law. 

MARCH
25TH 2023

SONOMA, CALIFORNIA

Whose Space is it Anyway?: Top Issues in Subleasing in a Post-Pandemic World

With the current glut of subleased space on the market, negotiations among sublandlords and subtenants are at a fever pitch. In addition,  landlords are taking an increasingly active role in subleases through the master landlord consent.  This presentation will focus on the goals of all parties to the sublease transaction and suggest useful solutions to the challenges facing completion of the transaction.

Sponsored by the Real Property Law Section and Women in Leasing Law

JANUARY
20TH, 2023

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

Advanced Issues in Commercial Lease Assignments and Subleasing

Assignment and subletting issues have become increasingly important now due to work-from-home initiatives and other post-Covid impacts on commercial real estate — while the landlord has entered into a lease with a specific tenant and would prefer that the original tenant remains for the remainder of the term, a tenant requires flexibility in terms of mitigating its damages if the leased premises are no longer needed by the tenant. In this program, Jo Ann Woodsum provides an in-depth examination of key lease provisions regarding assignment and subletting as well as a review of the following important documents: sublease, assignment, and landlord’s consent. This course is relevant to commercial leasing lawyers as well as to practitioners who review commercial leases from time to time. Discussion includes: 

• Standards and timing of landlord approval
• Profit sharing
• Landlord recapture rights
• Sublandlord perspective of sublease
• Subtenant perspective of sublease
• Necessary modifications for change of use
• Construction during assignment
• Specifics of landlord consent e.g., non-disturbance 

Sponsor: California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)

DECEMBER
1ST, 2022

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

Top Tips for Lawyers Reviewing Letters of Intent for Commercial Leases — Sponsored by the Real Property Law Section of the California Lawyers Association

Topics will include the critical terms which must be in every commercial lease letter of intent (LOI), the differences between binding and non-binding LOIs, the roles of attorneys and brokers in negotiating LOIs and how to provide thoughtful and helpful feedback on LOIs to your landlord and tenant clients. We will also review key elements of LOIs for subleases and assignments.

NOVEMBER
28TH, 2022

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

Securitizing the Commercial Real Estate Lease

A tenant’s obligations under a commercial lease can be securitized in various ways, each involving different considerations. In this course, Jo Ann Woodsum provides an in-depth analysis of how commercial landlords determine the amount and type of security as well as evaluates each of the three main types of security: cash security deposits, letters of credit, and guaranties. This course is essential for all lawyers who are required to review commercial leases — whether representing landlords or tenants - and assumes some experience with commercial leases. Discussion includes: 

• Bankruptcy implications  
• Negotiation strategies  
• Security obligations  
• Security types

Sponsor: California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)

SEPTEMBER
8TH, 2022

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

Introduction to Commercial Leasing Sponsored by the Real Property Law Section of the California Lawyers Association

Topics will include an overview of the following lease provisions: Term, Rent, CAM/operating expenses, security deposits (including letters of credit and guaranties), repairs, surrender, holding over, subordination, insurance/indemnification, landlord remedies, standard statutory waivers, construction issues (including work letters) and renewal options. Particular attention will be paid to each of the landlord’s and tenant’s goals and negotiation strategies.

FEBRUARY
18TH, 2022

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

Top Ten Tips for Reviewing a Commercial Lease, Contra Costa County Bar Association 

This is an essential program for those attorneys who do not practice commercial leasing but need the knowledge. It will also be a good program for experienced commercial lease attorneys to compare notes. Jo Ann Woodsum will provide extra insights into issues related to the pandemic and force majeure.

OCTOBER
20TH, 2021

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

Organizer & Moderator, “Beginner’s Guide to Commercial Leasing in Ireland”

Commercial Leasing Around the Globe Series, sponsored by the Real Property Law Section, the International Law Section of the California Lawyers Association, and Women in Leasing Law.

MARCH
31ST, 2021

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

“Dogs in the Workplace: Top 10 Tips for Drafting the Commercial Lease to Allow Dogs in the Office” 

California Lawyers Association

Non-CLA Member Price – $75.00
CLA Member Price – $55.00

There is a growing trend of employers adopting dog-friendly policies in the workplace. These companies argue that dogs in the workplace reduce stress and encourage positive social interaction among employees.

Commercial landlords who previously prohibited dogs in the workplace have had to learn how to accommodate the tenant requirement of allowing dogs in the workplace.

This webinar will examine the various lease provisions and other documents which are typically incorporated into a commercial lease to both protect the landlord’s interest in maintaining a first-class office project and ensuring that the tenant can bring dogs into the workplace. Special consideration will be given to the difference between service dogs and emotional support dogs.

Topics Covered:

• Landlord concerns about dogs in the workplace
• Tenant’s need for dogs in the workplace
• Differences between service dogs and emotional support dogs
• Modifications to premises & office project to accommodate dogs
• Landlord “dog rules” including consequences for tenants who do not follow such rules
• Modifications to standard indemnity and insurance provisions
• Landlord’s role in resolving disputes about dogs
• Tenant dog policy

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DECEMBER
9TH, 2020

VIRTUAL WEBINAR

“The New Force Majeure Clause in Commercial Leases” 

The Sixth Annual Northern California Women in Commercial Leasing Law Symposium, Commercial Leasing in the time of COVID, for the Real Property Law Section of the California Lawyers Association.

OCTOBER
10TH, 2019

MONTEREY, CA

“What Every Non-Leasing Lawyer Needs to Know About Commercial Leasing”

California Lawyers Association Annual Meeting

Relevant hashtags: #CLAAnnualMeeting19 #CALawyers

CLA Twitter: @CALawyersOrg

CLA Facebook:
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CLA Instagram:@CALawyersOrg

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