Stacey J. Handley

Expert guidance on a complex retail lease negotiation

I engaged Stacey Handley at Gowling WLG to represent my company in negotiating a long-term lease for a flagship retail location in Jacksonville. The landlord's initial proposal was heavily one-sided, with aggressive rent escalations and overly restrictive operating covenants. Stacey’s deep, nearly decade-long experience in Commercial Leasing Law was immediately apparent. She meticulously dissected the 80-page document, identifying not just the obvious red flags but also subtle clauses that could have hampered our future flexibility or triggered unexpected liabilities. Her strategic approach was pragmatic; she focused our negotiations on the most impactful terms, securing critical wins on renewal options and caping common area maintenance increases, which will save us significant capital over the lease term. It’s clear why she has been recognized in her field. The only reason this isn’t a 5-star review is that during the final, intense week of negotiations, there were a couple of instances where email responses took longer than expected, which added a bit of stress on our end. That said, when we did connect, her advice was always worth the wait—precise, commercially savvy, and delivered with a calm assurance that instilled confidence. I would not hesitate to recommend her for any complex real estate or commercial leasing matter.