About Leopold
Robert Sterling: Leading Real Estate and Development Attorney in New Orleans
Robert Sterling is a highly respected and experienced attorney specializing in real estate law and development within the dynamic landscape of New Orleans and the surrounding region. With a proven track record spanning decades, Mr. Sterling offers sophisticated legal counsel to developers, investors, landowners, and businesses involved in complex property transactions, land acquisitions, zoning and entitlement matters, and construction litigation. His deep understanding of local regulations, historical preservation requirements, and the unique challenges presented by the Louisiana legal system makes him a trusted advisor for clients navigating the intricacies of the real estate market.
Mr. Sterling’s expertise extends to all phases of development projects, from initial concept and feasibility studies through permitting, construction, and post-construction issues. He has successfully represented clients in a wide range of projects, including high-rise residential developments, commercial office buildings, mixed-use developments, retail centers, and industrial properties. His proactive approach and strategic legal solutions consistently deliver favorable outcomes for his clients, safeguarding their investments and minimizing risk. He prides himself on building long-term relationships based on trust, integrity, and a deep commitment to achieving his clients' goals.
Practice Areas
- Real Estate Acquisitions and Sales: Mr. Sterling expertly guides clients through the entire process of buying and selling commercial and residential properties, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Zoning and Land Use Entitlements: He possesses unparalleled knowledge of local zoning ordinances and development regulations, skillfully navigating the complex process of obtaining necessary approvals and entitlements for new construction and redevelopment projects.
- Development Consulting: Mr. Sterling provides strategic development consulting, advising clients on land use planning, feasibility studies, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Construction Litigation: When disputes arise during construction, Mr. Sterling provides aggressive and effective representation to protect his clients' interests.
- Condominium Law: He offers comprehensive legal services for condominium developments, including association formation, unit sales, and ongoing management issues.
- Real Property Law: Mr. Sterling handles a broad range of real property matters, including title issues, easements, rights of way, and landlord-tenant disputes.
- Commercial Landlord Tenant: He provides expert legal counsel to both landlords and tenants involved in commercial lease agreements.
- Complex Disputes: Mr. Sterling has a proven ability to resolve complex real estate disputes efficiently and effectively.
- Redevelopment: He has extensive experience in advising clients involved in urban redevelopment projects.
Education & Credentials
- Louisiana Association of Professional Landscapers
- Bar Admissions: Admitted to the Bar of the State of Louisiana
- Recognized in Best Attorney USA: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2006
- Best Lawyers in America: Recognized in Best Attorney USA
- Super Lawyers: Named a Super Lawyer (2007-2013)
- Lawdragon 500: One of its Leading Lawyers in America (2007-2011)
- Chambers and Partners: Identified as one of the leading business lawyers in Real Estate (2004-2012)
- Lawyer of the Year: Lawyer of the Year: Real Estate Law, New Orleans (2011), Lawyer of the Year: Land Use & Zoning Law, New Orleans (2017), Lawyer of the Year: Administrative / Regulatory Law, New Orleans (2016), Lawyer of the Year: Financial Services Regulation Law, New Orleans (2015), Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Real Estate, New Orleans (2012)
Affiliations
- Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2006
Mr. Sterling’s commitment to providing exceptional legal service, coupled with his extensive experience and deep understanding of the New Orleans real estate market, makes him a valuable asset to any client seeking legal representation in this critical area. His proactive approach, strategic thinking, and dedication to achieving favorable outcomes consistently deliver results for his clients. He is frequently sought out by industry leaders and government agencies due to his legal expertise.
Practice Areas
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Banking and Finance Law
Commercial Finance Law
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Equipment Finance Law
Financial Services Regulation Law
Franchise Law
Land Use and Zoning Law
Litigation - Banking and Finance
Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Litigation - Municipal
Litigation - Real Estate
Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
Municipal Law
Nonprofit / Charities Law
Project Finance Law
Real Estate Law
Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Case History
Education
Professional Affiliations
Awards & Recognition
- Lawyer of the Year: Land Use and Zoning Law, New Orleans (2025)
- Lawyer of the Year: Financial Services Regulation Law, New Orleans (2024)
- Lawyer of the Year: Project Finance Law, New Orleans (2024)
- Lawyer of the Year: Project Finance Law, New Orleans (2022)
- Lawyer of the Year: Land Use and Zoning Law, New Orleans (2021)
- Lawyer of the Year: Project Finance Law, New Orleans (2020)
- Lawyer of the Year: Administrative / Regulatory Law, New Orleans (2019)
- Lawyer of the Year: Corporate Compliance Law, New Orleans (2019)
- Lawyer of the Year: Land Use and Zoning Law, New Orleans (2017)
- Lawyer of the Year: Administrative / Regulatory Law, New Orleans (2016)
- Lawyer of the Year: Financial Services Regulation Law, New Orleans (2015)
- Lawyer of the Year: Administrative / Regulatory Law, New Orleans (2014)
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Real Estate, New Orleans (2012)
- Lawyer of the Year: Real Estate Law, New Orleans (2011)
- Recognized: Administrative / Regulatory Law
- Recognized: Banking and Finance Law
- Recognized: Commercial Finance Law
- Recognized: Commercial Litigation
- Recognized: Corporate Compliance Law
- Recognized: Corporate Governance Law
- Recognized: Corporate Law
- Recognized: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Recognized: Equipment Finance Law
- Recognized: Financial Services Regulation Law
- Recognized: Franchise Law
- Recognized: Land Use and Zoning Law
- Recognized: Litigation - Banking and Finance
- Recognized: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
- Recognized: Litigation - Municipal
- Recognized: Litigation - Real Estate
- Recognized: Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
- Recognized: Municipal Law
- Recognized: Nonprofit / Charities Law
- Recognized: Project Finance Law
- Recognized: Real Estate Law
- Recognized: Securitization and Structured Finance Law
- Practice Area: Arbitration
- Practice Area: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Practice Area: Collaborative Law: Civil
- Practice Area: Collaborative Law: Family Law
- Practice Area: Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
- Practice Area: Communications Law
- Practice Area: Construction Law
- Practice Area: Derivatives and Futures Law
- Practice Area: Environmental Law
- Practice Area: Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
- Practice Area: Government Relations Practice
- Practice Area: International Arbitration - Commercial
- Practice Area: International Arbitration - Governmental
- Practice Area: International Trade and Finance Law
- Practice Area: Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
- Practice Area: Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Practice Area: Litigation - Construction
- Practice Area: Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
- Practice Area: Mediation
- Practice Area: Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Practice Area: Public Finance Law
- Practice Area: Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Practice Area: Securities Regulation
- Practice Area: Timber Law
- Practice Area: Trade Secrets Law
- Practice Area: Utilities Law
- Practice Area: Venture Capital Law
- Practice Area: Water Law
- Special Focus: Administrative
- Special Focus: Arbitration
- Special Focus: Arbitration and Mediation
- Special Focus: Business
- Special Focus: Business Disputes
- Special Focus: Commercial
- Special Focus: Commercial Landlord Tenant
- Special Focus: Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
- Special Focus: Complex Disputes
- Special Focus: Condemnation
- Special Focus: Condominiums
- Special Focus: Contract
- Special Focus: COVID-19
- Special Focus: Derivatives
- Special Focus: Development
- Special Focus: Easements and Rights of Way
- Special Focus: Eminent Domain
- Special Focus: Energy Projects
- Special Focus: Equipment Leasing
- Special Focus: Finance
- Special Focus: Financial Institutions
- Special Focus: Foreclosures
- Special Focus: Government Relations
- Special Focus: Hospitality
- Special Focus: International
- Special Focus: International Arbitration
- Special Focus: Land Use
- Special Focus: Leasing
- Special Focus: Lending
- Special Focus: Litigation
- Special Focus: Mediation
- Special Focus: Mortgage
- Special Focus: Municipal
- Special Focus: Office Buildings
- Special Focus: Real Estate
- Special Focus: Real Property Law
- Special Focus: Redevelopment
- Special Focus: Securities
- Special Focus: Shopping Center Transactions
- Special Focus: Structured Products
- Special Focus: Tax Certiorari
- Special Focus: Transactions
- Special Focus: Troubled Projects
- Special Focus: Uniform Commercial Code
- Special Focus: Vessel Financing
- Special Focus: Workouts and Restructurings
- Special Focus: Zoning
- Best Lawyers in America, with special designations in Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Equipment Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Land Use & Zon
- Best Lawyers in America, with special designations in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Banking Law, Equipment Finance Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, Real Estate Law and Structured Finance Law, 2011
- Mr. Sher was named a Super Lawyer (2007-2013) by Super Lawyers and one of its top 10 and top 50 lawyers, 2007-2012
- Best Lawyers in America, with special designations in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Land Use & Zoning Law and Real Estate Law, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
- Lawdragon 500 named Mr. Sher one of its Leading Lawyers in America, 2007-2011 and one of its Top Managing Partners You Need to Know for 2008
- Chambers and Partners identified Mr. Sher as one of the leading business lawyers in Real Estate in its 2004-2012 Chambers USA, Client's Guide
- New Orleans City Business has awarded Mr. Sher the first annual Leadership in Law Award for 2005, as one of the top 50 Lawyers in New Orleans, 2005