Biography
CHAIR, HOSPITALITY PRACTICE
Christy Reuter focuses her practice on domestic and global hospitality transactions, notably representing hospitality companies seeking to expand within the United States and in countries around the world. She has negotiated deals in cities throughout the United States, including New York, Boston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas, Los Angeles, Aspen, Vail, Denver and Washington D.C., and in various global locations including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Japan, Turkey, Monaco, Switzerland and Hong Kong.
Christy brings her 30 years of experience in providing strategic legal and business counsel to clients at every stage of a transaction and acts an outside general counsel to many of her clients. She represents hospitality companies and developers in the development and operation of hotels and restaurants, including leases, joint ventures between developers and operators, restaurant management agreements, hotel management agreements and brand license agreements. Christy is a leader in representing private clubs operating in independent locations and in office buildings.
Prior to joining Blank Rome, Christy served as the chair of the hotel & hospitality group of a New York City-based firm, and as general counsel for the internationally acclaimed global hospitality group, Cipriani. She also previously served as the Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York in the NYC Litigation Bureau (1995–1997).
Outside the Firm
Christy enjoys travelling, cooking, and watching the New York Yankees.
Experience
- Represented Zero Bond in connection with a private members’ club in NYC and its second private members’ club at Wynn Las Vegas.
- Represented Sartiano’s restaurant to open its first location the Mercer Hotel in NYC and a second location at Wynn Las Vegas.
- Represented the RIO Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in connection with multiple restaurant management and license agreements in its newly designed food hall.
- Represented TAO Group Hospitality in connection with Crane Club, a new restaurant concept in NYC.
- Represented TAO Group Hospitality in connection with a joint venture to lease and manage a restaurant in a newly developed office tower located in Miami.
- Represented TAO Group Hospitality in a multi-transaction deal, which will include the first TAO Hotel, and four TAO-branded restaurants in Orlando, Florida.
- Represented Zuma with its leases at The Cosmopolitan Hotel of Las Vegas and the Four Seasons One Dalton in Boston.
- Represented Zuma’s affiliate, Etaru, to open its first restaurant in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
- Represented ground lessee of a landmark building in NYC in connection with restaurant management agreement with international restaurant group.
- Represented hotel developer with hotel management and related agreements to open a five-star hotel with residences in Utah with an internationally acclaimed hotel management company.
- Represented 50 Eggs Hospitality Group with its lease for a Chica restaurant in Aspen at The Little Nell Residences.
- Represented notable New York-based restauranteurs, the Poll Brothers, with its lease for its second Toku restaurant, located in Miami.
- Represented owners of Avra in connection with a 10,000-square-foot lease at the Estates at Acqualina Resort in Miami.
- Represented Nusr-Et Steakhouse with all US leases and operations, including New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Dallas, Boston and Beverly Hills.
- Represented the Serafina Restaurant Group in connection with Serafina Madison 38th.
News & Views
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Deal
Blank Rome Represents TAO Group in Connection with Crane Club Opening
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Speaking Engagement
Enhancing Luxury Hospitality Assets through Brands, Retail & Design
Bisnow New York Hotel & Hospitality Event -
Media Coverage
In the Lap of Luxury: Discussing How to Navigate Hotel Deals at Bisnow’s April 18 Event
Bisnow -
Alert
New York Court Decision Disrupts “Good Guy Guaranty” Liability Limitations
Real Estate -
Speaking Engagement
A Glimpse Forward: The Future of Hotels in Los Angeles
Bisnow Los Angeles Hospitality Summit -
Media Coverage
Be Our Guest: Discussing LA’s Position as a Hospitality Hot Spot at Bisnow’s Nov. 30 Event
Bisnow -
Deal
Blank Rome Represents TAO Hospitality Group in Connection with Opening Its First Hotel in Orlando, Florida
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Deal
Blank Rome Represents Tao Group Hospitality in Joint Venture with Lettuce Entertain You to Create Private Members Club in Chicago
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Event
2021 WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate Woman of the Year Gala
WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate -
Article
Legal Perspective for Foodservice Pros: Thoughts on the New Normal
Total Food Service
Recognitions
- 2021, Hotel and Hospitality Law, listed in Lawyers of Distinction
Affiliations
Christy is a a member of the Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys.
Credentials
Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- New York
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Education
- State University of New York at Albany, BA
- St. John's University School of Law, JD