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Zachary P. Novetsky

Counsel

znovetsky@pbwt.com

New York, NY 212.336.2529

Zachary P. Novetsky

Counsel

znovetsky@pbwt.com

New York, NY 212.336.2529

Zach Novetsky has negotiated millions of square feet of commercial leases for landlords, tenants, and developers in New York and across the country, with a focus on high-stakes office, retail, and headquarters transactions. His clients include technology companies, health care institutions, charitable organizations, and other major space users navigating complex leasing decisions.

Because Zach regularly represents both sides of leasing transactions, he brings a strategic advantage to every deal: he anticipates the other party’s priorities and structures transactions that protect his clients’ interests while getting to closing efficiently. Clients value his ability to move beyond legal terms to focus on the business objectives driving the transaction.

Zach is also a recognized leader in retail leasing, representing owners and tenants in flagship and other high-profile retail transactions. His work on a flagship retail deal was recognized as a runner-up for the Real Estate Board of New York's 2026 Retail Deal of the Year award.

Tenant-Side Representations

Negotiated an approximately 250,000-square-foot office lease for a major technology company
Negotiated an approximately 225,000 RSF office lease for a major law firm
Negotiated an approximately 150,000-square-foot office lease for a major national retailer
Represented an international technology company in aggregate office leasing totaling more than 500,000 square feet
Structured the creation of multiple leasehold condominiums for a hospital system aggregating hundreds of thousands of square feet
Advised on headquarters leases, major lease restructurings and extensions, and retail food hall leasing at mixed-use developments in Brooklyn and Long Island City
Represented retailers in mall leases across the United States

Landlord-Side Representations

Negotiated an approximately 100,000 RSF office lease on Fifth Avenue with a publicly traded international payment processing tenant
Structured a leasehold condominium of approximately 50,000 rentable square feet for a major New York City institution
Represented various landlords in flagship retail leases to major retailers on Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue

Additional Experience

Regularly counsels clients on subleases, acquisitions and dispositions, lease surrenders, and construction and access agreements

Best Lawyers in America® “One to Watch,” 2020–2025
Super Lawyers, New York Metro Rising Star, 2024
Invited participant, Georgetown University Law Center Advanced Commercial Leasing Institute, 2017

New York

Hebrew

New York State Bar Association, Real Property Law Section
New York City Bar Association

Fordham University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2013)
- Fordham International Law Journal
New York University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2010)

News

December 15, 2022

Patterson Belknap Announces Six New Partners and Six Counsel

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP is pleased to announce that, effective January 1, 2023, Andrew D. Cohen, Diana M. Conner, Craig W. Dent, David Kleban, Thomas P. Kurland, and George A. LoBiondo will become partners of the firm, and...

December 15, 2022

Patterson Belknap Announces Six New Partners and Six Counsel

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP is pleased to announce that, effective January 1, 2023, Andrew D. Cohen, Diana M. Conner, Craig W. Dent, David Kleban, Thomas P. Kurland, and George A. LoBiondo will become partners of the firm, and...

Firm Highlights

DOJ Revises Justice Manual to Strengthen False Claims Act Enforcement

On September 18, 2026, the Department of Justice announced two revisions to the Justice Manual aimed at strengthening False Claims Act (“FCA”) enforcement. The first revision reinforces DOJ's longstanding position that sub-regulatory guidance cannot impose legal obligations beyond those established by statute or regulation. The second—and, for companies facing qui tam litigation exposure, the more consequential—directs DOJ attorneys to consider exercising the government's dismissal authority when it declines to intervene in a qui tam action. In particular, where the government does not seek immediate dismissal, the new guidance calls for DOJ to revisit that assessment as the litigation progresses. In other words, when DOJ declines to join a whistleblower lawsuit, its attorneys are now encouraged to affirmatively dismiss unmeritorious complaints....

Greg Baker to Speak at Practising Law Institute's Broker/Dealer Regulation and Enforcement 2026

On Thursday, October 8, Partner Greg Baker will speak on a panel at the Practising Law Institute's Broker/Dealer Regulation and Enforcement 2026 conference titled "Ethical Issues Facing Lawyers in the Financial Services Industry." Mr. Baker will join James Q. Walker (Partner, Ashurst Perkins Coie), Allison Cambria (Head of Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement - Americas, Deutsche Bank), Ilene B. Marquardt (Head of Legal Engagement, Client Relationship Group, Wells Fargo Advisors), and Christopher K. Williams (Associate General Counsel, Fidelity Investments) to share guidance on managing conflicts of interest and privilege issues. To learn more, please click here.

Firm Secures Complete Patent Litigation Victory on Behalf of J&J

On August 31, 2026, Patterson Belknap secured a victory on behalf of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) in a Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation relating to Spravato®, its blockbuster esketamine nasal spray approved for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation. This litigation was initiated after an ANDA filing by Sandoz, Inc. (“Sandoz”) in 2023, seeking FDA approval for its generic version of Spravato. Janssen asserted that Sandoz’s proposed generic product would infringe certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 11,446,260, 10,869,844; 11,173,134; and 11,311,500. Sandoz counterclaimed for declaratory judgment that each of the asserted patent claims was invalid under 35 U.S.C. §103 and/or § 112. On August 31, 2026, the U.S. District...

Barbara Mullin Named Among Benchmark Litigation’s 2026 Top 250 Women in Litigation

Partner Barbara Mullin has been named one of Benchmark Litigation’s 2026 Top 250 Women in Litigation. The ranking uses an extensive research process, including “months of investigation into individual litigators’ professional activities as well as client feedback surveys and one-on-one interviews” to identify women who are “top players” in their field. To learn more, please click here.

Delaware Bankruptcy Court Crafts Test Concerning Post-Confirmation “Related-To” Jurisdiction

The filing of a bankruptcy case creates an estate consisting of the debtor’s legal and equitable property. The estate will continue until the debtor’s confirmed plan of reorganization or liquidation goes effective. It will then terminate, and the property will either revest in the reorganized debtor or be transferred to another entity such as a post-confirmation liquidation trust. Now and then, bankruptcy judges face this issue: after plan confirmation, when can a liquidation trustee assert state law claims in a lawsuit filed in the bankruptcy court? In terms of a bankruptcy court’s subject matter jurisdiction, the question can be articulated this way: when can a bankruptcy court have post-confirmation related-to jurisdiction over such claims under 28 U.S.C. section 1334?[i] A bankruptcy judge...

Pharmacy Benefit Managers in the Crosshairs of Enforcement and Reform

Pharmacy benefit managers have been in the crosshairs of enforcement and reform efforts for several years. At the federal level, the Federal Trade Commission has obtained favorable settlements for the government, and Congress passed PBM reform in the Comprehensive Appropriations Act in February. Some states have also enacted their own legislation, which has become the latest battleground as PBMs level constitutional challenges to state efforts to regulate PBMs’ limitations on where and how patients can fill prescriptions. The outcome of these challenges may dictate whether other states take similar action, and whether PBM influence on pharmacy selection continues to grow. To continue reading Amy N. Vegari and Sarah Brand Wasson's article in The National Law Journal, please click here.

You Win Some and Lose Some: Judge Liman Decides Competing Motions to Compel

On September 4, 2026, District Judge Lewis J. Liman (S.D.N.Y.) granted in part and denied in part Plaintiff Lashify, Inc.’s (“Lashify”) motion to compel discovery and denied Defendants Qingdao Network Technology Co., Ltd., d/b/a UCoolMe and Vivicute Limited’s (“UCoolMe”) motion to compel. Lashify, Inc. v. Qingdao Network Tech. Co., Ltd., No. 25-cv-4183 (S.D.N.Y. Sep. 4, 2026). Lashify’s Motion to Compel Lashify moved to compel UCoolMe to provide responses to discovery requests relating to: (i) product samples and raw materials; (ii) manufacturing; (iii) employees and supply chain; (iv) marketing; and (v) finances. Id. at *2. The Court found that each of those topics were relevant under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a) and that UCoolMe did not sufficiently respond to discovery requests related to...

DOJ Issues Press Release on Liability for Unregistered Foreign Agents

On September 16, 2026, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a press release “remind[ing] the public of federal laws that require individuals to register as foreign agents when they act in the United States at the direction or control of a foreign government or foreign principal, and that they will face civil and criminal liability if they fail to do so.” The press release points specifically to two federal laws that require such registration: the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”), 22 U.S.C. § 611 et seq., and 18 U.S.C. § 951. The press release is a departure from former Attorney General Pam Bondi’s February 5, 2025 memorandum to DOJ employees, which directed that criminal charges under FARA should be limited...

AI Companies Find Value in Bankrupt Companies

Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy in November 2024 and, after emerging from bankruptcy, filed again in August 2025. During the second case, the company tried to find a way to keep the airline in business but to no avail. In May 2026, Spirit Airlines pivoted towards a wind-down and ceased operations. This summer, as a part of its wind-down, Spirit Airlines began marketing its remaining assets. It had plenty of traditional assets to sell. For example, the debtors’ bid procedures motion filed in May 2026 listed the following assets: takeoff and landing slots at LaGuardia Airport; aircraft hangar(s); corporate headquarters; training center; multi-family residential buildings; ground service equipment; spare engines; flight simulators; aircraft maintenance equipment; and assets related to the...

Michael Arlein to Speak on Digital Asset Estate Planning Webinar

On Wednesday, October 14, Partner Michael Arlein will speak on a SMQKE Room webinar titled "Digital Asset Estate Planning for Crypto Founders & Holders." Mr. Arlein will share practical guidance on the legal mechanics and multi-generational planning required for significant digital asset holdings.

DOJ Revises Justice Manual to Strengthen False Claims Act Enforcement

On September 18, 2026, the Department of Justice announced two revisions to the Justice Manual aimed at strengthening False Claims Act (“FCA”) enforcement. The first revision reinforces DOJ's longstanding position that sub-regulatory guidance cannot impose legal obligations beyond those established by statute or regulation. The second—and, for companies facing qui tam litigation exposure, the more consequential—directs DOJ attorneys to consider exercising the government's dismissal authority when it declines to intervene in a qui tam action. In particular, where the government does not seek immediate dismissal, the new guidance calls for DOJ to revisit that assessment as the litigation progresses. In other words, when DOJ declines to join a whistleblower lawsuit, its attorneys are now encouraged to affirmatively dismiss unmeritorious complaints....

Greg Baker to Speak at Practising Law Institute's Broker/Dealer Regulation and Enforcement 2026

On Thursday, October 8, Partner Greg Baker will speak on a panel at the Practising Law Institute's Broker/Dealer Regulation and Enforcement 2026 conference titled "Ethical Issues Facing Lawyers in the Financial Services Industry." Mr. Baker will join James Q. Walker (Partner, Ashurst Perkins Coie), Allison Cambria (Head of Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement - Americas, Deutsche Bank), Ilene B. Marquardt (Head of Legal Engagement, Client Relationship Group, Wells Fargo Advisors), and Christopher K. Williams (Associate General Counsel, Fidelity Investments) to share guidance on managing conflicts of interest and privilege issues. To learn more, please click here.

Firm Secures Complete Patent Litigation Victory on Behalf of J&J

On August 31, 2026, Patterson Belknap secured a victory on behalf of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) in a Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation relating to Spravato®, its blockbuster esketamine nasal spray approved for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation. This litigation was initiated after an ANDA filing by Sandoz, Inc. (“Sandoz”) in 2023, seeking FDA approval for its generic version of Spravato. Janssen asserted that Sandoz’s proposed generic product would infringe certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 11,446,260, 10,869,844; 11,173,134; and 11,311,500. Sandoz counterclaimed for declaratory judgment that each of the asserted patent claims was invalid under 35 U.S.C. §103 and/or § 112. On August 31, 2026, the U.S. District...

Barbara Mullin Named Among Benchmark Litigation’s 2026 Top 250 Women in Litigation

Partner Barbara Mullin has been named one of Benchmark Litigation’s 2026 Top 250 Women in Litigation. The ranking uses an extensive research process, including “months of investigation into individual litigators’ professional activities as well as client feedback surveys and one-on-one interviews” to identify women who are “top players” in their field. To learn more, please click here.

Delaware Bankruptcy Court Crafts Test Concerning Post-Confirmation “Related-To” Jurisdiction

The filing of a bankruptcy case creates an estate consisting of the debtor’s legal and equitable property. The estate will continue until the debtor’s confirmed plan of reorganization or liquidation goes effective. It will then terminate, and the property will either revest in the reorganized debtor or be transferred to another entity such as a post-confirmation liquidation trust. Now and then, bankruptcy judges face this issue: after plan confirmation, when can a liquidation trustee assert state law claims in a lawsuit filed in the bankruptcy court? In terms of a bankruptcy court’s subject matter jurisdiction, the question can be articulated this way: when can a bankruptcy court have post-confirmation related-to jurisdiction over such claims under 28 U.S.C. section 1334?[i] A bankruptcy judge...

Pharmacy Benefit Managers in the Crosshairs of Enforcement and Reform

Pharmacy benefit managers have been in the crosshairs of enforcement and reform efforts for several years. At the federal level, the Federal Trade Commission has obtained favorable settlements for the government, and Congress passed PBM reform in the Comprehensive Appropriations Act in February. Some states have also enacted their own legislation, which has become the latest battleground as PBMs level constitutional challenges to state efforts to regulate PBMs’ limitations on where and how patients can fill prescriptions. The outcome of these challenges may dictate whether other states take similar action, and whether PBM influence on pharmacy selection continues to grow. To continue reading Amy N. Vegari and Sarah Brand Wasson's article in The National Law Journal, please click here.