J. Adam Rothstein

Adam Rothstein provides strategic counsel to clients engaged in real estate and other business transactions across the country. During his more than three decades practicing law, he has represented a wide range of real estate owners, operators, investors, and users in billions of dollars of transactions. From developing strategy and executing transactions to resolving disputes, Adam gives practical, business-minded and timely advice.

His practice mainly concentrates on the hospitality, retail, office, and self-storage sectors, catering to a diverse clientele that includes publicly traded REITs and entrepreneurial ventures. Adam's expertise is particularly evident in his leasing practice. 

Adam represents clients in their day-to-day acquisitions, dispositions and financings (including significant credit agreements), as well as in their longer-term investment strategy, such as joint ventures, syndications, and investment fund creation. He represents both landlords and tenants on major leases as well as hotel owners in specialized restaurant and other leasing transactions and in construction and related contracting. He also represents clients in loan workouts and restructurings. Notably, he recently represented a landlord client in drafting and negotiating the largest commercial lease in metropolitan Detroit within the last five years, involving over 340,000 square feet of space. Additionally, he has managed commercial lease transactions totaling more than 1,000,000 square feet in the past five years.

Adam is sought out for his “relationship-focused” approach to client service, and his “very good technical skills and attention to detail” (Chambers USA).

Practice Areas

Representative Matters

• In the last 20 years, has represented retail real estate clients in the acquisition and disposition of more than 400 shopping centers in 45 states and in more than $1 billion in financings
• Represented Pebblebrook Hotel Trust in acquisitions and dispositions valued at approximately $10.0 billion since 2010
• Represented Pebblebrook Hotel Trust in securitized loans, loan assumptions and unsecured loans exceeding $2 billion in value since 2011, including the then-largest single unsecured loan ever made to a lodging REIT in 2012
• Represented a landlord client in the single largest commercial lease (in excess of 340,000 square feet) for a landlord in metropolitan Detroit within the last five years and he has represented landlords in commercial lease transactions exceeding 1,000,000 square feet of commercial space within the last five years

Education

Admissions

Awards

• Listed in Chambers USA, 2012-2024
  • Recognized in Real Estate in Michigan; Chambers USA states: 
    • “Adam is one of the most sophisticated real estate lawyers that I have ever worked with. I consider him part of my team.” “Adam has been an invaluable partner; his dedication to our firm and our goals is tremendous.”
    • "[Adam] is incredibly responsive, smart and focused on the right matters conducive to getting results. He is a great partner to our firm and our first call in any legal-related matter."
    • "Adam Rothstein regularly advises retail and hospitality clients on the real estate aspects of their business. He is also well versed in assisting REITs with various acquisitions and financings. He co-chairs the real estate department at the firm." Clients add "He is extremely experienced and understands both legal and business perspectives," "I count on him as a trusted resource" and "He is a capable lawyer."
    • "Market commentators describe him as 'an outstanding practitioner.'"
    • "Adam Rothstein is 'business-minded, practical and responsive,' according to one source. He is adept at handling acquisition and financing matters."
    • "Adam Rothstein has three decades of experience advising on real estate matters, with a particular focus on the retail and hospitality sectors. One client says that he 'has a great skill in simplifying the complex and communicating it clearly and concisely. He is also very persuasive, business-minded and practical.
    • “[Adam] focuses his practice on the retail and hospitality industries. He is recognized for his abilities across a wide range of real estate matters, including acquisitions, dispositions and specialized leasing transactions.”
    • "Clients value Adam Rothstein's negotiation skills and his ability to execute a strategy effectively, describing him as 'very relationship-focused, efficient and business minded."
• The Best Lawyers in America, 2006-2025
  • Recognized in practice area of Real Estate Law, 2006-2025
  • Recognized in practice area of Leisure and Hospitality Law, 2025
• Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006-2024
• Law Bulletin Media
  • Leading Lawyers, Real Estate Law: Commercial, 2017, 2023-2024
  • Leading Lawyers, Real Estate Law: Finance, 2017, 2023-2024
• DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2010, 2011, and 2014-2017, 2025
• Honored by BTI Consulting Group as a 2016 Client Service All-Star
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Professional & Community Involvement

• State Bar of Michigan
• International Council of Shopping Centers
  • ICSC Law Conference Planning Committee, 2020-present
  • State of Michigan, State Director, 2012-2013
  • State of Michigan Board, 2007-present
  • State of Michigan Government Relations Committee Chair, 2009-2012
• Gesher Human Services (f/k/a JVS)
  
  • Board of Trustees, 2014-2019

News

Press Releases

Events

Alerts

Publications

Podcasts