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Cynthia B. Keliher
Alternate image for Cynthia B. Keliher

Cynthia B. Keliher

Partner

Executive CommitteeCo-Chair, Real Estate Practice

617.449.6527
Boston
ckeliher@mccarter.com

Clients say she is “brilliant – a wonderful negotiator who really knows her business. She is very dedicated, of very high intelligence, and understands the business side more than the typical attorney.”—Chambers USA

Public and private real estate developers, owners, and landlords and tenants seek out Cynthia Keliher for her leadership in the commercial real estate market. From headquarters deals to data center leases to major city development projects, Cynthia finds ways to close transactions while meeting clients’ business goals. Co-chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Executive and Compensation Committees, Cynthia focuses a great deal of her practice on leasing, representing landlords and tenants in complex ground, retail, office, headquarters, and data center leases. Her work also includes advising corporations on their global leasing portfolios.

Cynthia represents universities and state agencies in negotiating complex air rights and ground leases, acquisitions and dispositions, and site agreements important to advance significant city and state developments and expansion projects. Her prominent presence in such projects led to her being appointed to state and local governmental committees, including the Blue Ribbon Panel for Open Space Protection to help set priorities for state land protection programs and the Strategic Development Study Committee for the Boston Extension Portion of the Turnpike Air Rights Development.

Cynthia is very active in the commercial real estate sector. She is the immediate past President of the New England Chapter of CoreNet Global, an association of more than 10,000 corporate real estate professionals, and a past president of New England Women in Real Estate, a more than 400-member, non-profit organization promoting advancement of women within the commercial real estate industry.

Cynthia is co-chair of McCarter’s Women’s Initiative Steering Committee, which presides over the policies that have led to McCarter receiving Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum for seven of the last eight years. A strong supporter of community programs, Cynthia has volunteered at Boston Children’s Hospital, been a member of The Jimmy Fund Council of Greater Boston since 1989, and is a former Vice President of The Jimmy Fund Council. Cynthia, who is passionate about the importance of education, was recently tapped by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker to serve on the Board of Trustees of Bunker Hill Community College.

Representative Matters

Leading Boston university—Boathouse project

Represented a major Boston university in handling permitting and negotiating a ground lease and construction agreement for a state of the art boathouse.

Large technology company—Headquarters lease, global leasing

Negotiated two leases for a large technology company’s 600,000-square-foot, two-building headquarters in the Kendall Square area of Cambridge, Massachusetts and advise on the company’s global leasing portfolio.

Technology company—Headquarters lease

Negotiated a build-to-suit lease for a technology company’s 145,000-square-foot regional Texas headquarters building and parking garage. In addition to handling the headquarters lease, we negotiated multiple cross-easements with abutting property owners, park association restriction agreements, and governmental incentives. McCarter was part of CoreNet Global New England’s 2019 team recipient of its inaugural Best New Workplace Outside of New England Award.

Major state public authority—Hotel development project

Negotiated for a major state public authority a ground lease and development agreement and assisted the public authority with procurement and construction plans related to a major Boston convention center hotel project.

Highlights

Recognitions

Chambers USA, Real Estate, Massachusetts, 2011–2020
Chambers USA, Real Estate, Massachusetts, 2011–2020
The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, Massachusetts, 2008–2021
The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, Massachusetts, 2008–2021
Massachusetts Super Lawyer, 2005–2020
Massachusetts Super Lawyer, 2005–2020
<a href="https://www.mccarter.com/insights/cynthia-keliher-named-a-woman-of-fire-by-banker-tradesman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woman of FIRE, Banker & Tradesman, 2014</a>
Woman of FIRE, Banker & Tradesman, 2014
<a href="https://www.mccarter.com/insights/cynthia-keliher-named-to-the-2013-top-women-of-law-by-mass-lawyers-weekly/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top Women of Law, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 2013 </a>
Top Women of Law, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 2013 
According to sources, Cynthia Keliher is a "very strong leasing attorney." A client comments: "She is an extraordinary lawyer who is personable and has an ability to give business advice."—Chambers USA

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Services

Coronavirus Resource Center
Real Estate
Proptech
Leasing
Real Estate Acquisitions & Development
Cannabis
Design, Fashion & Luxury

Education

Georgetown University Law Center JD, 1984
  • Associate Editor, The Tax Lawyer
University of Pennsylvania AB, summa cum laude, 1981
  • Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

Massachusetts
New Hampshire

Memberships & Affiliations

Bunker Hill Community College
Board of Trustees

Sophia Snow House
Board of Directors
2004–Present

Boston Young Women's Christian Association
Board of Directors
2007–2015

New England Chapter, CoreNet Global
President
2015-2018

New England Chapter, CoreNet Global
Board of Directors
2007–Present

Boston Industrial Development Finance Agency
Board of Directors
2003-2016

New England Women in Real Estate
Past President

Boston Bar Association

New Hampshire Bar Association

McCarter & English Women’s Initiative Steering Committee
Co-Chair

Services Real Estate Skyscrapers
Publications|Alert
Ten Key Leasing Considerations Resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Coronavirus Legal Advisory
6.22.2020
Media item displaying Several Northeast, Mid-Atlantic States Address Commercial Evictions During COVID-19 Pandemic
Publications|Alert
Several Northeast, Mid-Atlantic States Address Commercial Evictions During COVID-19 Pandemic
Coronavirus Legal Advisory
4.28.2020
Media item displaying MA Establishes Moratorium on Evictions, Foreclosures During COVID-19 Emergency
Publications|Alert
MA Establishes Moratorium on Evictions, Foreclosures During COVID-19 Emergency
Real Estate Alert
4.21.2020
Media item displaying Negotiating Purchase and Sale Agreements During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Publications|Alert
Negotiating Purchase and Sale Agreements During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Real Estate Alert
3.27.2020
Insights Speaking Hand
Events|Speaking Engagement
An Evening with CREW Legacy Legends
CREW Boston
3.5.2020
Media item displaying Thomas Finn and Cynthia Keliher Elected to McCarter & English Executive Committee
News|Press
Thomas Finn and Cynthia Keliher Elected to McCarter & English Executive Committee
Press Release
2.25.2020
Insights Speaking Microphone
Events|Speaking Engagement
Real Estate’s Impact on Financial Statements
CoreNet Global
5.6.2019
Insights News Newspaper Stack
News
McCarter Names New Co-Chairs in Real Estate Group
Real Estate NJ
3.5.2018
Insights Speaking Podium
News|Press
McCarter & English Appoints New Practice Group and Office Leaders
McCarter Press Release
3.1.2018
Insights News Headline Stack
News|Press
Cynthia Keliher named President of New England Chapter of CoreNet Global
McCarter Press Release
4.1.2015
Insights Awards Trophy
Events|News|Recognition
Cynthia Keliher Named a Woman of FIRE by Banker & Tradesman
7.17.2014
Media item displaying Cynthia Keliher profiled in Banker and Tradesman after being named a “Woman of FIRE” by the magazine
News
Cynthia Keliher profiled in Banker and Tradesman after being named a “Woman of FIRE” by the magazine
Banker and Tradesman
7.14.2014
Insights Awards Top Stars
News
McCarter Team Leigh Gilligan, Cynthia Keliher and Chris Toomey to receive the 2014 EBC James D. P. Farrell Brownfields Project of the Year Award
5.1.2014
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