Overview

Janis B. Schiff is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office and co-chair of the firm's National Retail Development and Leasing Team. Ms. Schiff has extensive experience representing property owners, asset managers and investors in connection with the development, redevelopment, sale, acquisition and leasing of retail, residential, condominium, office, industrial, and mixed-use properties and venues. She represents clients in all facets of commercial real estate, including foreign investment in the United States, public-private partnerships, government leasing, financial workouts and restructurings, acquisition and sales contracts for improved and unimproved properties, and borrower and lender representation, and retail and office leasing. She also serves as co-editor of Holland & Knight's Retail and Commercial Development and Leasing Blog.

Ms. Schiff previously served as the firm's client service and development partner. In this role, she worked with members of the firm's senior management and clients to develop and implement client initiatives on a firmwide basis. She coordinates the firm's Rising Stars mentoring and leadership program, which she co-founded in 2003, and is the immediate past chair of the firm's National Real Estate Section.

Ms. Schiff has also served as an adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins University Berman Real Estate Institute, and is a frequent author and lecturer on leasing and general real estate transactional topics.

Credentials

Education
  • Suffolk University Law School, J.D.
  • Brandeis University, B.A., cum laude
Bar Admissions/Licenses
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
Memberships
  • The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Board of Directors
  • The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, National Jewish Endowment Fund, Trustee
  • Edlavitch Jewish Community Center, Board of Directors, 2018-Present
  • Greater Washington Board of Trade, Board of Directors, 2012-Present
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Success in Law School Program, Mentor, 2013-2018
  • International Council of Shopping Centers, former State Director, Government Affairs Chair and State Operations Chair
  • Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), Suburban Maryland Chapter, Past President
  • Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), District of Columbia Chapter
  • Women in Retail Real Estate (WIRRE)
  • Urban Land Institute, Washington, D.C., District Council
  • Georgetown University Law School Advanced Commercial Leasing Institute, Board Member and Lecturer
  • Easterseals DC MD VA, Board of Directors, Chair, 2014-2017; Search Committee, Chair, 2017; Marketing and Development Committee, Former Chair
  • Washington, D.C., Economic Partnership, Board Member
  • Washington Business Hall of Fame, Campaign Committee, 2010-2012
  • Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation, Holocaust Remembrance Project
  • District of Columbia Building Industry Association
  • Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, Board of Directors
Honors & Awards
  • Influencer in Retail Real Estate - Holland & Knight's Retail Development and Leasing TeamGlobeSt. Real Estate Forum2023
  • Pursuit of Justice Award, The American Association of Jewish Lawyers & Jurists, 2023
  • Retail Tech Influencer, GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, 2023
  • Leaders of the Year, D.C. Region Women Leading Real Estate, Bisnow, 2022
  • The Best Lawyers in America guide, Real Estate Law, 2008-2023
  • Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Contribution, Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America, 2022
  • Influencers in Retail Real Estate, GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, 2022
  • Top Lawyers Hall of Fame, Washingtonian, 2022
  • Women of Influence – Commercial Real Estate, GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, 2020
  • Chambers USA – America's Leading Business Lawyers guide, Real Estate, 2008-2023
  • The Legal 500 USA, Real Estate & Construction: Land Use/Zoning; Real Estate & Construction: Real Estate, 2011, 2012, 2019, 2020
  • Best Mentor: Law Firm finalist, The American Lawyer Industry Awards, 2018
  • Top Lawyer, Washingtonian, Real Estate and Zoning/Land Use, 2009-2015; Real Estate, 2017-2020, 2022
  • Corporate Leadership Award, Commercial Real Estate Women, District of Columbia Chapter, 2017
  • Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers magazine, 2008-2016
  • Guide to the World's Leading Women in Business Law, Legal Media Group's Expert Guides, Real Estate, 2014, 2015
  • Heroines of Washington finalist, March of Dimes, 2014
  • Washington, D.C., Commercial Real Estate Power Women award, Bisnow, Real Estate, 2014
  • Best in Real Estate, Euromoney Legal Media Group Women in Business Law Americas, 2014
  • Women Who Mean Business award, Washington Business Journal, 2013
  • Woman on Top, Washington Women's Weekly, 2011
  • Woman of Achievement Award, Chicago Alliance of Women, 2009
  • Corporate Counsel Edition, Super Lawyers magazine, May 2009
  • Top Washington Lawyer Finalist, Washington Business Journal, Real Estate, 2005
  • Outstanding Achievement Award, Commercial Real Estate Women, District of Columbia Chapter, 2004
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • Suffolk University School of Law, Transnational Law Journal, Editor

Publications

Speaking Engagements

News