Steve Grebing recently obtained a $2.2. million verdict for one of the firm’s commercial real estate clients.  The dispute involved the tenant’s efforts to break a long-term lease with an argument that the Conditional Use Permit governing the allowable use of the property had expired or was no longer valid.  The tenant vacated the property without performing any rehabilitation efforts, and stopped paying rent.  The commercial landlord initiated an arbitration proceeding though JAMS.  The arbitrator ultimately rejected the tenant’s justification for breaching of the lease, and awarded to the client the value of the remainder of the lease, as well as the cost to rehabilitate the property, attorney’s fees and costs.