TUCSON, AZ (April 2, 2026) — As commercial real estate deal activity picks up again, another cost is drawing greater attention in the underwriting process: legal fees.
A recent GlobeSt. report points to legal expenses as one of the fastest-rising costs tied to commercial real estate transactions, adding new pressure at a time when owners, investors, and developers are already grappling with higher construction costs, insurance premiums, taxes, and utilities.
The trend reflects a broader surge in law firm performance. Citing data from The American Lawyer reported by Above the Law, GlobeSt. noted that in 2024 the bottom half of the Am Law 200 posted an 8.5% increase in average revenue per lawyer, an 11.1% rise in average gross firm revenue, and a 12.8% jump in profits per equity partner…