Harry S. Cherken, Jr.

About
Experience
Harry’s leasing work has a retail tenant emphasis and he has handled regional and national expansion for a number of diverse retail chains. As an example, a local retailer chose Harry to handle the lease of its flagship store (after having dealt with him when he represented the other side on a lease). Drinker Biddle is now this retailer’s primary outside counsel, and Harry has represented it in financings and leases for hundreds of locations worldwide.
Harry has also represented commercial owners and developers of office/warehouse/ flex/retail buildings with all aspects of the acquisition, financing and construction of their projects. This includes his representation of an international retailer in the assemblage over time of a series of buildings (totaling nine to date, and consisting of more than one million square feet) within the former Philadelphia Navy Yard, for restoration and occupancy as its headquarters.
Recognitions
Chambers USA, Pennsylvania, Real Estate (2013-2017)
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2005-Present)
Who’s Who in the World
Who’s Who in America
Who’s Who in the East
Who’s Who in American Law
Who’s Who in Corporate America
Who’s Who Legal: USA Real Estate
International Who’s Who of Real Estate Lawyers
International Who's Who of Business Lawyers
Guide to the World’s Leading Real Estate Lawyers
Expert Guide, The World’s Finest Lawyers, Construction and Real Estate
Awards Methodology (www.drinkerbiddle.com/content/awards)
‘High-level’ practitioner Harry Cherken is well regarded for his counsel on the acquisition, leasing and development of commercial properties.
– CHAMBERS USA (2017)
Another client called Harry Cherken ‘the most diligent attorney I have ever worked with [who] will do whatever it takes to get us to the finish line.’
– CHAMBERS USA (2015)
Harry Cherken has been described as ‘incredibly competent and poised,’ [with] a ‘great intellectual understanding of the law.’
– CHAMBERS USA (2014)
Harry Cherken is popular among his clients, one of whom describes him as ‘one of the finest real estate lawyers in America and I can't speak highly enough of his abilities.’ He is highly prized for his experience assisting with the acquisition, leasing and development of commercial properties. One client adds: ‘He is, without question, the best leasing and development attorney that I have worked with. He is very, very strong at negotiations and takes an extraordinarily collaborative approach when we work together.’
– CHAMBERS USA (2018)
Credentials
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
Education
- Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 1976, Law Review
- University of Pennsylvania, M.L.A., 2010
- Lafayette College, B.A., 1971
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Organizations
- American College of Real Estate Lawyers
- American Bar Association
- Board of Governors of the Armenian Bar Association (Past Chair)