Christopher M. Rousseau

Christopher M. Rousseau is vice chair of Pullman & Comley's Real Estate, Energy, Environmental and Land Use Department and concentrates his practice in commercial real estate and zoning and land use matters. He has substantial experience representing clients in both the public and private sectors in the acquisition, disposition, and development of all types of commercial real estate, including office, retail, industrial, multifamily, mixed-use, and hospitality properties.

Real Estate

Chris counsels buyers and sellers through every stage of a transaction, from letter of intent and due diligence through closing, and regularly structures and negotiates acquisitions and dispositions involving single assets, portfolios, and sale-leaseback transactions. He also advises clients on entity formation and joint venture structuring for real estate holding and development entities, and on 1031 like-kind exchanges undertaken in connection with acquisitions and dispositions. On the development side, Chris represents developers and property owners in connection with ground-up construction and redevelopment projects, including negotiating construction, architect, and development agreements and coordinating due diligence, environmental, and land use matters necessary to bring projects to completion. Chris assists clients in negotiating and documenting transactions, including the drafting of purchase and sale agreements, negotiation of loan documents, and review of title and survey matters. He regularly represents both landlords and tenants in the drafting and negotiation of leases and lease amendments for retail, office, and industrial properties throughout Connecticut, including ground leases, build-to-suit leases, and sale-leaseback arrangements. His leasing practice also encompasses lease renewals, expansions, assignments, subleases, and terminations, as well as lease workouts and restructurings. Chris advises landlords on the leasing and repositioning of shopping centers, office buildings, and industrial parks, and advises tenants on site selection and lease terms for single and multi-location retail and office footprints. Chris also represents restaurateurs across the state and region in all aspects of real estate, including the acquisition and leasing of property and the process of obtaining municipal approvals.

Land Use

Chris has an active land use practice, representing businesses, developers, and property owners before local zoning, planning, wetlands, and other municipal land use boards throughout Connecticut. His land use experience includes securing site plan, special permit, and variance approvals; obtaining subdivision and resubdivision approvals; navigating inland wetlands and watercourses regulations; and advising clients on zoning compliance and municipal regulatory requirements in connection with acquisitions, dispositions, and development projects. He regularly counsels clients through the land use approval process from initial application to final permitting, working closely with engineers, surveyors, and other consultants to help projects reach completion. Chris also regularly works with companies in the cannabis industry in obtaining various cannabis-related zoning approvals and in the negotiation and drafting of related acquisition and leasing documents.

Office

Professional Affiliations

Connecticut Bar Association, member

Real Estate Finance Association, Hartford Chapter - co-chair, Young Professionals Section 

Community Involvement

South Windsor Rotary Club, member

Honors & Recognitions

Recipient of The Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" award for 2026

Selected to the Connecticut Super Lawyers Rising Stars list since 2023 in the area of Real Estate

The following are representative of Christopher's accomplishments and experience:

Commercial Real Estate - Buyer/Borrower and Seller

• Assisted with the acquisition of a 150-unit multifamily apartment complex in Georgia for $20 million. 
• Assisted with the acquisition of a 425-unit multifamily apartment complex in North Carolina for $25 million. 
• Assisted with the acquisition of a 345-unit multifamily apartment complex in Georgia for $37 million. 
• Assisted with the acquisition of a 280 parking stall open air parking facility in Hartford, CT for $4.1 million.
• Assisted with the acquisition of a 224-unit multifamily apartment complex in Georgia for $10.1 million.
• Assisted with the sale of various CVS locations around the United States. 
• Assisted with the sale of a Class A office building in Florida for $11.5 million. 
• Assisted with the sale of a Class B office building in Florida for $20.5 million. 

Commercial Real Estate - Leasing

• Assisted landlord client with the negotiation of a lease for approximately 86,000 rentable square feet of Class A office space in Hartford, CT.
• Assisted landlord client with the negotiation of a lease for a 52,000 rentable square foot Class B office building in Orlando, FL.
• Assisted landlord client with the negotiation of a lease for a national beauty/cosmetic retail chain. 
• Assisted landlord client with the negotiation of a lease amendment for approximately 24,000 rentable square feet of expansion space and tenant improvements in Class A office building in Hartford, CT. 
• Assisted landlord client with the negotiation of a lease for a prominent Connecticut restaurant. 
• Assisted landlord client with the negotiation of a lease for approximately 18,000 rentable square feet of Class A office space in Hartford, CT. 
• Assisted landlord client with the negotiation of a 460-acre solar land lease agreement. 
• Assisted landlord client with the negotiation of multiple national chain restaurant leases. 

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Press Releases