Mark S. Levenson is Chair of the Real Estate Department and Chair of the Real Estate Transactions Practice Group at the law firm of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. Mr. Levenson also chairs the Firm’s Israel Business Practice Group. Mr. Levenson is Co-Chair of the New Jersey-Israel Commission, appointed by the Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy (and also previously appointed by Governor Chris Christie). Mr. Levenson is a partner member of Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s economic development organization. Mr. Levenson sits on the executive committee of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Mr. Levenson serves as chair of the international advisory board of Green Again Fund, Inc. Mr. Levenson is a former member of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, appointed by the President of the United States. Mr. Levenson serves on the executive committee of the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry. Mr. Levenson is on the executive committee of TeachNJ. Mr. Leveson serves on the Board of the Religious Zionists of America. Mr. Levenson is past Chairman of the Zionist Organization of America. Mr. Levenson is the Past President of the New Jersey State Association of Jewish Federations. Mr. Levenson is Past Vice President for New Jersey Israel Relations of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Levenson also served on the Board of Governors of Tel Aviv University. Mr. Levenson is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.
Mr. Levenson handles a broad range of transactions for domestic and international clients, including traditional lending and finance, loan workouts and restructuring, cannabis financing, acquisitions, development projects, joint venture and partnership work, office and retail leasing, corporate real estate advisory work, sale/leasebacks and real estate mediation, arbitration and litigation. Mr. Levenson has 40 years of experience in private practice including 8 years as the senior real estate lawyer at a major financial services institution. Mr. Levenson has done extensive international work for his clients including projects in the United Kingdom (Canary Wharf), India, the Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Israel, Latin America and France. Mr. Levenson also served as the U.S. representative for several of his international clients.
Mr. Levenson served as an Arbitrator in the New York City Civil Court System, as a mediator in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York Mediation Program and as a Director of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives (now CoreNet). Mr. Levenson has received numerous awards for his volunteer activities and has done significant professional and pro bono work for various non-profit organizations, such as A Better Chance, The Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and The Jewish Federation of Greater Clifton-Passaic.
Mr. Levenson was honored (along with his wife) by the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest for their work and efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Mr. Levenson was honored by the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce in 2017 for his critical leadership role in the drafting and enactment of New Jersey’s landmark anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions legislation. Mr. Levenson received the 2014 Torch of Liberty Award, presented by the Anti-Defamation League; was honored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Clifton-Passaic at the 2010 Tribute Dinner; and was awarded the 2008 America-Israel Chamber of Commerce & Industry Business Leadership Award. Mr. Levenson chaired the inaugural U.S.-Israel Green Buildings Conference at the Meadowlands Environment Center in June 2008 and the 2009 U.S.-Israel Cleantech Conference at the Meadowlands. Mr. Levenson previously served as President of the America-Israel Chamber of Commerce in New York. Mr. Levenson also served as President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Clifton-Passaic for eight years. Mr. Levenson served as Chairman of the YM-YWHA of Greater Clifton-Passaic and also served as President of Congregation Adas Israel of Passaic. Mr. Levenson served as Executive Vice President of the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy.
Mr. Levenson has been selected for inclusion in the 2016-2022 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business® under New Jersey Real Estate, the 2007-2023 editions of The Best Lawyers in America®published by Best Lawyers under Real Estate Law and the 2009-2018 editions of New Jersey Super Lawyers® published by Thomson Reuters under Real Estate: Business, International and Nonprofit Organizations. Mr. Levenson has been named to the 2022 “ROI Influencers: Real Estate” list by ROI-NJ*. Mr. Levenson has received an AV Peer Review Rating, the highest rating, for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability by Martindale-Hubbell®.
Mr. Levenson received his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1982 where he served as an editor of the Annual Survey of American Law. Mr. Levenson received his B.A., cum laude, from Brandeis University in 1978.