
Manuel Fishman, who serves as the Chair of the firm’s northern California Real estate practice group focuses his practice on representing real estate developers and owners in the acquisition, sale, and financing of commercial properties. In addition, he has an active leasing practice representing owners of several major office buildings in San Francisco, including the Transamerica Pyramid, as well as tenants in lease and sublease transactions. His expertise includes letters of intent, tenant improvement work agreements, security deposits/letters of credit, signage rights, expansion and contraction rights, permitted transfers, operating expense audits, and lender and master landlord recognition agreements. Mr. Fishman maintains close relationships with the real estate brokerage community and utilizes these relationships to provide clients with market based information important to their existing and prospective real estate requirements. Mr. Fishman also has extensive experience in the area of ground leasing and retail leasing and is recognized as a leading attorney in the area of landline and wireless communications and Internet-based services in commercial properties and rooftop installations.
In addition, Mr. Fishman acts as outside general counsel to start-ups that seek to leverage some part of commercial real estate into a tech application, and helps guide these companies in their efficient use of legal time and expertise in various subject matters, from employment and IP to enterprise contracts and web site privacy policies.
Mr. Fishman also represents clients in equity structuring for, and the acquisition of, value add properties, including the formation of single purpose entities and joint ventures, and acquisition financing. Mr. Fishman has negotiated numerous construction management, project development and property management agreements relative to ground up development projects, as well as all types of easements and other adjoining owner agreements.
Most recently, Mr. Fishman has been recognized as a 2025 Best Lawyer in America in Real Estate Law, an honor he has received since 2007, and was recognized as a 2014 Top Rated Lawyer by American Lawyer Media in conjunction with Martindale Hubbell. He has also been recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer since 2012 and as one of Bay Area Magazine’s Top Lawyers in the Bay Area. Additionally, he was the recipient of the 2019 Associate Member of the Year award from BOMA San Francisco.
Mr. Fishman is a frequent lecturer on office and shopping center leasing matters and writes frequently for industry newsletters.
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15
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers in America
Awards
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Buchalter, is pleased to announce that 99 lawyers have been included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Best Lawyers was founded […]
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26
Jun
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2024 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Awards
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Buchalter is pleased to announce that several attorneys in the Firm’s Northern California offices were named to the 2024 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising […]
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28
Feb
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Manuel Fishman Recognized by San Francisco Business Times for Deal of the Year
Firm News
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Shareholder Manuel Fishman was recently recognized by the San Francisco Business Times for the selection of the 180 Howard Sale as a Deal of the […]
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17
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers in America
Awards
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Buchalter is pleased to announce over 80 of the Firm’s lawyers have been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Best […]
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27
Jun
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Awards
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Buchalter is pleased to announce that several attorneys in the Firm’s Northern California offices were named to the 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising […]
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22
May
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Manuel Fishman Quoted in GlobeSt.com
Firm News
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Some Key Office Markets Hit Hardest by Tech Wreck May 19, 2023 GlobeSt.com By: Richard Berger Manuel Fishman, a Shareholder at Buchalter, who represents real […]
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20
Mar
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Manuel Fishman Quoted in GlobeSt.com
Firm News
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Is Now a Good Time to Buy Office? Experts Weigh In March 20, 2023 GlobeSt.com By: Richard Berger “There is too much uncertainty for multi-tenant […]
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16
Mar
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Manuel Fishman Quoted in The Real Deal
Firm News
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The Real Deal Landlords race to sort out tenant guarantees from SVB March 15, 2023 By: Isabella Farr “If you are holding a letter of […]
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18
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2023 “Best Lawyers in America”
Awards
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The firm is pleased to announce over 60 Buchalter lawyers have been included in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers […]
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06
Jul
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2022 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Awards
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Buchalter is pleased to announce that several attorneys in the Firm’s Northern California offices were named to the 2022 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising […]
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19
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2022 “Best Lawyers in America”
Awards
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The firm is pleased to announce that several lawyers have been included in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers was […]
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06
Jul
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2021 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Awards
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Buchalter is pleased to announce that fifteen attorneys in the Firm’s Northern California offices were named to the 2021 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising […]
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04
Jan
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Manuel Fishman Quoted in Law360
Press
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“Calif. Real Estate Regulations, Legislation To Watch In 2021” Law360 By Andrew McIntyre “Since the passage of Prop. 13 in 1978, commercial and residential properties […]
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30
Oct
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Buchalter Represents Transamerica Corporation in $650 Million Dollar Sale of San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid Center
Press
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Buchalter attorneys represented Transamerica in the $650 million sale of San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid Center, the largest U.S. real estate deal since the start of […]
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20
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2021 “Best Lawyers in America”
Awards
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The firm is pleased to announce that several lawyers have been included in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers was […]
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21
Jul
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Manuel Fishman Quoted in LoopNet
Press
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Buying Distressed Assets: Should You Acquire the Property or Its Debt? By: Les Shaver “Manuel Fishman’s phone has been ringing a lot lately. Fishman, a […]
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08
Jul
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars”
Firm News
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Five attorneys in the Firm’s San Francisco and Sacramento offices were named 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers. These attorneys have attained a high degree of […]
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27
May
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Manuel Fishman, Quoted in BisNow
Press
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Will Demand For Less Density Offset The WFH Office Exodus? By: Dean Boerner May 26, 2020 “Just as likely is a move to the suburbs, […]
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01
Apr
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Manuel Fishman Quoted in GlobeSt.com
Press
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Office Tenants and Owners are Feeling the Coronavirus Crunch Globe Street By: Lisa Brown “SAN FRANCISCO—In these unprecedented times of COVID-19, office owners are feeling […]
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14
Oct
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Manuel Fishman Quoted in BisNow
Press
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Slack, Lime And Other Big Tenants On The Importance Of Choosing The Right Landlord September 29, 2019 By: Dean Boerner Even in an owner’s market […]
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15
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2020 “Best Lawyers in America”
Awards
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The firm is pleased to announce that 24 lawyers have been included in the 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers was […]
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03
Jul
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Manuel Fishman Quoted in Law360
Press
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Law360 July 3, 2019 By: Andrew McIntyre “We have in California a supermajority, a Democratic supermajority. What that means is that a progressive agenda is […]
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15
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2019 “Best Lawyers in America”
Awards
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Administrative/ Regulatory Law Terese A. Mosher Beluris Banking and Finance Law Anthony R. Callobre Robert J. Davidson Robert A. Zadek Douglas R. Prince Bankruptcy and […]
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15
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2018 “Best Lawyers in America”
Awards
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August 15, 2017 Terese A. Mosher Beluris— Administrative / Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation Bernard D. Bollinger, Jr.— Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and […]
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18
Aug
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Buchalter Nemer Attorneys Named 2017 Best Lawyers in America
Awards
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Buchalter Nemer is proud to announce the following attorneys have been named 2017 Best Lawyers in America: Peter G. Bertrand– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ […]
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08
Jul
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Buchalter Nemer Attorneys Named 2016 Northern California Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars”
Awards
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Ten attorneys in the firm’s San Francisco office were named 2016 Northern California Super Lawyers. These attorneys have attained a high degree of peer recognition […]
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05
Jan
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Buchalter Sponsors Startup Grind 2016
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Buchalter is proud to help global entrepreneurship by sponsoring Startup Grind 2016, a premier gathering of entrepreneurs from across the globe, congregating to improve themselves, […]
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18
Aug
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Buchalter Nemer Attorneys Named 2016 Best Lawyers in America
Awards
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Peter G. Bertrand– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law/ Bankruptcy Litigation Bernard D. Bollinger, Jr.- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization […]
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07
Jul
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Buchalter Nemer Attorneys Named 2015 Northern California Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars”
Awards
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Eleven attorneys in the firm’s San Francisco office were named 2015 Northern California Super Lawyers. These attorneys have attained a high degree of peer recognition […]
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24
Oct
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Buchalter Nemer Attorneys Named 2014 San Francisco Top Rated Lawyers
Awards
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Buchalter Nemer is proud to announce that 14 attorneys in its San Francisco office have been named “2014 San Francisco Top Rated Lawyers.” The recognition […]
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18
Aug
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Buchalter Nemer Attorneys Named 2015 Best Lawyers in America
Awards
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Buchalter Nemer is proud to announce the following attorneys have been named 2015 Best Lawyers in America: Peter G. Bertrand – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor […]
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21
May
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Environmental Friendliness More Than A Perk For CRE
Press
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Commentary: Manuel Fishman, Esq. Law360, May 20, 2014
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31
Mar
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3 Tips For Doing Real Estate Deals With Foreign Investors
Press
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Law360, March 31, 2014 Commentary: Manuel Fishman, Esq.
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Moderator at The Registry San Francisco Commercial Real Estate Outlook 2024
February 7th, 2024
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Speaker at the LC Law Summit
October 12th, 2023
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Publication
Update on San Francisco’s Treatment of Vacant Properties
- Download
February 17th, 2023
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Publication
A Coda to the Covid Pandemic: Do Local and State Closure Laws Provide Cover for Tenant Nonpayment of Rent?
- Download
February 2nd, 2023
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Moderator at The Registry San Francisco’s Industry Outlook 2023
February 16th, 2023
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Publication
San Francisco’s Commercial Vacancy Tax
- Download
December 7th, 2022
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Speaker at the Practicing Law Institute
November 3rd, 2022
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Moderator at BisNow
September 29th, 2022
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Publication
LC Use in Commercial Real Estate Lease Transactions
- Download
April 1st, 2022
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Publication
Keeping an Eye on San Francisco’s Plans to Decarbonize Existing Commercial Buildings
- Download
November 22nd, 2021
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Moderator at BisNow
September 30th, 2021
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Publication
Do Tenant Exclusives Work in Today’s ‘On Demand’ Retail Environment?
August 31st, 2021
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Publication
Buchalter COVID-19 Alert: California is Reopening, Will Commercial Evictions Remain on Hold?
- Download
May 24th, 2021
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Publication
Predicting the Market for Office Space
February 1st, 2021
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Publication
Buchalter COVID-19 Client Alert: San Francisco Commercial Eviction Moratorium Update
- Download
December 22nd, 2020
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Presenter at Lorman Educational Services
December 10th, 2020
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Webinar
Re-Opening Commercial Buildings: Protecting Building Tenants and Building
October 28th, 2020
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Panelist at the BOMA San Francisco Webinar
August 26th, 2020
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Publication
Buchalter COVID-19 Client Alert: San Francisco Announces Plan for Phased Reopening
- Download
June 1st, 2020
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Publication
Stress Testing Your Rent Roll
April 20th, 2020
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Publication
Expert Insight: How Retailers Should Communicate with Landlords Amid COVID-19
April 2nd, 2020
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Publication
Buchalter Client Alert COVID-19: California and Selected State, City, and County Moratoria List
March 27th, 2020
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Publication
Impact of San Francisco’s Commercial Tenant Eviction Moratorium
- Download
March 23rd, 2020
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Publication
Buchalter Client Alert: Impact of COVID-19 on Real Estate Transactions
- Download
March 16th, 2020
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Speaker at the 21st Annual Commercial Real Estate Institute
November 7th, 2019
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Moderator at BisNow
August 1st, 2019
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Publication
The Impact the New Prop 65 Warning Regulations on Multi-Family Apartments and Other Prop 65 Updates
- Download
June 25th, 2019
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Moderator at the San Francisco CRE Tech Summit
May 9th, 2019
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Publication
San Francisco Needs to Overhaul Its Policy on Business Taxes
- Download
November 28th, 2018
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Speaker at the 20th Annual Commercial Real Estate Institute
November 8th, 2018
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Publication
The Impact the New Prop 65 Warning Regulations on Commercial Property Owners
- Download
September 18th, 2018
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Publication
First in Nation: California Energy Commission Adopts Standards Requiring Solar Systems for New Homes
- Download
May 30th, 2018
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Publication
The Changing Face of CRE Investment
May 1st, 2017
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Publication
Ensure Your Investments Are Insured
December 13th, 2016
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Speaker at Lorman Webinar
July 18th, 2016
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Publication
Keep Your Exposure to Real Estate Low: Sublease
June 14th, 2016
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Publication
Litigation Gone Sour: A Failed Landlord Lawsuit
April 7th, 2016
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Publication
Insurance: Why It Is Good For Your Company’s Health
- Download
January 20th, 2016
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Publication
How Real Estate Intersects with the On-Demand Economy
October 9th, 2015
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Publication
Service, Vendor and Enterprise Agreements
- Download
October 8th, 2015
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman, Speaker at the State Bar of California
October 9th, 2015
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Publication
Shopping Centers and Free Speech
August 6th, 2015
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Publication
Real Estate: An Introduction to Leasing For Start-Ups
- Download
April 16th, 2015
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Publication
Water and Energy – A New Cost Model
April 8th, 2015
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Publication
Are Your Contracts Set Up for Electronic Signatures?
February 4th, 2015
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Publication
Title 24: What the Future of Energy Efficiency Regulations Means for Commercial Landlords and Tenants
December 11th, 2014
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Publication
As 2014 Comes to a Close, Start Planning for 2016
November 20th, 2014
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Publication
Estoppel Certificates: Achieving Certainty
October 16th, 2014
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Publication
Office Leasing and Airline Reservations
August 20th, 2014
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Publication
Prepare for Q4 in the Summer
July 16th, 2014
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Publication
Is It a Bubble Yet? Reflections on the Current State of CRE
May 21st, 2014
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Publication
WARNING: Estimates in Letters of Intent Can Come Back to Bite
- Download
May 16th, 2014
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Publication
Beware of Estimates in Letters of Intent
February 6th, 2014
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Publication
Estimates in Letters of Intent Can Come Back to Bite
- Download
January 14th, 2014
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Presentation
Manny Fishman, Panelist at the Jewish Community Federation’s Business Leadership Council
November 19th, 2013
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Publication
Rainmaker Q&A: Buchalter’s Manny Fishman
August 29th, 2013
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Presentation
Manny Fishman to Speak at Reuben Junius & Rose Real Estate Roundtable
May 9th, 2013
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Presentation
Manuel Fishman to Speak at Stanford University
March 6th, 2013
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Publication
The World is Going Mobile – What About Your Building?
August 15th, 2012
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Publication
The World is Going Mobile – What About Your Building?
- Download
August 1st, 2012
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Podcast
What Businesses Need to Know When Law Enforcement Arrives to conduct a Raid
February 4th, 2025
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Podcast
Real Estate Shop Talk Podcast: San Francisco Bay Area Capital Market Update – The Thesis for Buying in 2024
February 20th, 2024
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Podcast
Real Estate Shop Talk Podcast: Powering Progress: Navigating the Shift to Energy Efficient Buildings
February 14th, 2024
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Podcast
Real Estate Shop Talk Podcast: Understanding What Decarbonization Means for Commercial Real Estate
February 16th, 2022
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Podcast
Real Estate Shop Talk Podcast: Lessons Learned in Property Management and What’s To Come Next
April 27th, 2021
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Podcast
Real Estate Shop Talk Podcast: Mind the Gap: No Rent Relief for The Gap in New York
March 26th, 2021
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Podcast
Real Estate Shop Talk Podcast: Retail & Restaurant Bankruptcies Due to COVID-19
December 9th, 2020
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Podcast
Real Estate Shop Talk Podcast: Closing Real Estate Transactions During COVID-19
September 28th, 2020
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Podcast
Manuel Fishman Guest on Real Perspectives Podcast
May 8th, 2020
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Podcast
Buchalter Webcast: Understanding and Not Fearing Covid 19 As It Affects Your Life and Business
March 30th, 2020
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Podcast
Wireless Technology & Commercial Real Estate
June 3rd, 2015
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Mr. Fishman earned his J.D., magna cum laude, at Santa Clara University School of Law in 1982 and his B.A. at the State University of New York at Purchase in 1975.
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Active in local and State advocacy efforts for Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
- Board of Directors, California BOMA, representing San Francisco BOMA
- Member, San Francisco BOMA Government Affairs and Policy Advisory Committee (GAPAC)- serves as liaison for local tax issues
- Board of Directors, BOMA San Francisco, 2003-2006
- Member, International Council of Shopping Centers
- Member, American Bar Association, Real Property Sections
Additional Specialties
Acquisitions, Dispositions and Joint Ventures
Telecommunications & Cell Towers
Riser and Rooftop Management
Real Estate Secured Transactions
Telecommunications License Agreements