OUR TEAM
Carl S. Witkin, Esq.
Partner
Carl focuses his practice on corporate transactions, general corporate matters and providing “outside general counsel” services to his clients.
Carl has accumulated significant M&A and corporate transactional experience throughout his career, representing a wide array of buyers and sellers that span from entrepreneurs and small businesses to larger companies and global private equity funds. Carl has worked on transactions ranging from “SMB” and lower middle market deals all the way up to mega cap leveraged buyouts. This diverse experience allows Carl to effectively navigate transactions by understanding firsthand how different client and deal profiles come with their own unique needs and issues.
In addition to his transactional work, Carl acts as an “outside general counsel” and trusted thought partner for clients, often serving as the first call as day to day issues arise. As part of this work, Carl advises on general corporate and commercial matters, including partnership and shareholder agreements, equity arrangements, commercial contracts and employment agreements.
Carl is also uniquely positioned to advise private equity and private-equity backed professionals on negotiating their employment and incentive arrangements at a boutique law firm price point by applying his years of experience working with these complex structures.
Carl spent years working in the New York City office of global law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP, in addition to working at Goodwin Procter LLP and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
In his free time, Carl enjoys classic Philadelphia activities such as watching his beloved “birds” play, and being a dutiful and just commissioner of his fantasy football league. Carl lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife, daughter and son.
Education:
University of Pennsylvania Law School, JD
University of Michigan, B.A. Political Science
Admissions:
Pennsylvania
New York
Email: Carl.Witkin@CraneWitkin.com
Phone: 267-229-2754
Zachary D. Crane, Esq.
Partner
Zachary’s practice centers on sophisticated real estate transactions, outside general counsel services, and providing highly personalized legal advice to entrepreneurs, executives, investors, family offices, and high net worth individuals.
Real estate is at the core of Zachary’s practice. He represents owners, investors, developers, lenders, borrowers, landlords, tenants, and other market participants in connection with acquisitions, dispositions, financings, joint ventures, development transactions, commercial leasing, and other complex real estate matters. His experience on both the legal and business sides of commercial real estate, including as an owner and operator of commercial property in New York City, allows him to approach transactions practically, with an understanding of not only the legal issues but also the economics, financing considerations, and business objectives driving a deal.
In addition to his transactional practice, Zachary frequently serves as outside general counsel and trusted advisor to businesses and individuals. For many clients, his role extends beyond a particular transaction or traditional corporate matter. He provides a concierge style legal service, serving as a critical resource for high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and families who need practical advice across their business, investment, and personal affairs. This work includes advising on contracts, business ventures, real estate investments, entity and ownership matters, financing transactions, and other legal and strategic issues that arise on a daily basis.
Prior to Crane & Witkin LLP, Zachary was a Partner at Crane Law PLLC, where he represented real estate owners and operators, businesses, and high net worth individuals in a broad range of transactional and commercial matters.
Zachary previously served as Managing Director & Senior Counsel at Dwight Capital, one of the largest commercial real estate lenders in the United States. Earlier in his career, he practiced in the real estate group of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where he represented clients in complex mortgage and mezzanine financings, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, leasing, and development transactions.
Zachary was selected to the New York Metro Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers in 2025 and 2026.
In his free time, Zachary enjoys skiing, golf, and spending time with friends and family. Zachary lives on Long Island with his wife, son, and daughter.
Education:
Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D.
The Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, M.S. Finance
University of Michigan, B.A. Political Science
Admissions:
New York
New Jersey
Email: Zachary.Crane@CraneWitkin.com
Phone: 516-669-1775
Ronald L. Crane, Esq.
Of Counsel
Ron has over 40 years’ experience as a practicing attorney with extensive expertise representing clients in connection with real estate transactions (including purchases, sales, leases, workouts and financings), corporate matters, franchise agreements, advertising law and intellectual property matters.
Ron was previously Senior Counsel at Omnicom Group, Inc., a Nasdaq traded company, where he was the practice head for Advertising, Intellectual Property, and Immigration law; Corporate Counsel and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the fast-food franchisor Ranch*1 Group, Inc.; and on the Board of Directors of The Original Soup Man, Inc., made famous, in part, by the television show Seinfeld.
Education:
Oklahoma City University School of Law, JD
Hofstra University, B.A. Political Science
Admissions:
New York
Florida