Allyson McKinstry

Allyson regularly advises clients on contract interpretation, co-tenancy disputes, premises and construction-related matters, maintenance obligations, end-of-lease issues, force majeure claims, vendor disputes, and audit-related claims. She also has extensive experience advising companies on matters related to their real estate portfolios and works with business teams to mitigate risk, maximize recoveries, and resolve disputes without resorting to litigation when possible.   

Allyson is a first-chair trial attorney and litigates in state and federal courts across the country, as well as arbitral forums. She serves as national trial counsel for several retailers, leading the litigation strategy for their lease disputes and coordinating with local counsel on lower-stakes disputes.

Through her client’s various mergers and acquisitions, Allyson has developed significant experience managing legacy litigation. She has successfully guided clients in triaging their legacy dockets to re-assess priorities, aligning strategies to meet management’s goals, and facilitating resolutions through negotiations and strategic use of litigation tactics wherever possible.

Believing it is vital for companies to learn from their disputes, Allyson regularly conducts trainings and CLEs on how clients can incorporate lessons learned. She also performs risk reviews of contracts and leases to identify potential issues and strategize with clients on key areas of concern when negotiating future real estate transactions.