Profile

Erez has extensive legal expertise spanning a wide range of areas within civil law.

Since joining EBN, Erez has handled diverse cases with significant regulatory and economic implications.

His work includes advising on land allocation without a tender before the Israel Land Authority, legal challenges to real estate appraisals issued by the authority, and advancing legislation and regulatory matters, such as amendments to the Metro Law concerning the metro betterment levy, in coordination with government ministries.

As part of his practice, Erez provides legal counsel to various entities on complex issues before national planning institutions. He also serves as the legal advisor to the Chamber of Real Estate Appraisers. Additionally, he advises the Habayta Forum (a forum for communities in the Gaza Envelope) and the Israel Builders Association on broad legal issues, including contract frustration due to delays in apartment deliveries.

Erez is also a frequent speaker on planning and property law matters at panels and conferences, establishing himself as a leading expert.

His expertise includes real estate law, planning and zoning law, expropriation law, Israel Land Law and ILA regulations, urban renewal, apartment sales law and public housing law, inheritance law, trust law and endowments, statutes of limitations, consumer protection law, class action lawsuits, local government law, real estate in Judea and Samaria, real estate matters in Arab and Druze communities, as well as regulatory and governmental activities in these civil law areas.

Erez began his legal career at a private firm specializing in family and inheritance law. In 2001, he joined the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Advisory and Legislation Department (Civil Law), where he worked across various civil law disciplines. As a member of the Codification Committee, he coordinated the work of the Inheritance Law Committee led by retired Justice Jacob Turkel. Later, he was appointed Head of the Real Estate Cluster in the department, advising government ministries on real estate and planning laws and overseeing numerous legislative processes in the government and Knesset.

In 2013, Erez was appointed by the Israeli government as Deputy Attorney General, a role he held until 2021. During his tenure, he supported the government’s efforts to combat the housing crisis and reduce the cost of living in financial markets. He initiated and oversaw multiple legislative reforms, including amendments to the Real Estate Law (such as the amendment concerning three-dimensional parcel divisions), the Planning and Building Law (“Pergola Reform” and the establishment of the National Committee for Priority Housing Areas – VATMAL), as well as reforms in the Fair Credit Law and the Credit Data Law.

Throughout his tenure, Erez issued numerous key legal opinions, led significant legislative amendments in various economic arrangements laws, and chaired multiple public committees, including:

  • The Committee on the Impact of COVID-19 on Contractual Obligations (Frustration of Contracts)
  • The Committee on the Discount Rate for Personal Injury Damages
  • The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Purchasing Groups
  • The Committee for Expediting Property Registration Procedures (“From Planning to Registration”)
  • The Committee on Barriers to Urban Renewal Processes
  • The Committee for Removing Housing and Real Estate Barriers in the Arab and Druze Sectors
  • The Committee on Class Action Lawsuit Regulations
  • The Committee on Illegal Construction led to Amendment No. 116 to the Planning and Building Law, also known as the Kaminitz Law.

Representative Experience

  • Representing private and public entities in legal challenges before the Israel Land Authority regarding real estate appraisals and land allocation exemptions from tenders.
  • Providing regulatory and legal counsel for legislative advancements, including amendments to the Metro Law concerning the metro betterment levy, in coordination with government ministries and planning authorities.
  • Advising national planning institutions and offering complex legal counsel on planning and construction matters.
  • Serving as the legal advisor to the Chamber of Real Estate Appraisers, providing professional guidance on real estate and economic issues.
  • Providing legal counsel to the Israel Builders Association on broad legal matters, including contract frustration due to delays in apartment deliveries.
  • Advising the `Habayta` Forum – providing legal support to Gaza Envelope settlements in addressing planning and property-related challenges.
  • Frequent participation in professional panels and conferences on planning and property law, including appearances as a leading expert in the field.
  • Representing private and public entities in legal challenges before the Israel Land Authority regarding real estate appraisals and land allocation exemptions from tenders.
  • Providing regulatory and legal counsel for legislative advancements, including amendments to the Metro Law concerning the metro betterment levy, in coordination with government ministries and planning authorities.
  • Advising national planning institutions and offering complex legal counsel on planning and construction matters.
  • Serving as the legal advisor to the Chamber of Real Estate Appraisers, providing professional guidance on real estate and economic issues.
  • Providing legal counsel to the Israel Builders Association on broad legal matters, including contract frustration due to delays in apartment deliveries.
  • Advising the `Habayta` Forum – providing legal support to Gaza Envelope settlements in addressing planning and property-related challenges.
  • Frequent participation in professional panels and conferences on planning and property law, including appearances as a leading expert in the field.

Biography

Bar Admissions

Israel Bar, 1997

Education

LL.B., Tel Aviv University
LL.M., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (magna cum laude)

Prior Experience

  • Deputy Attorney General for Civil Affairs between 2013 and 2021
  • Head of Real Estate Division/Cluster and a referent in the Civil Legislative Drafting Unit between 2001 and 2013
  • A representative of the Minister of Justice in the National Council for Planning and Building, Israel Lands Council and the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee
  • Adjunct professor with the Law Faculty of the Hebrew University
  • Senior Fellow with Maoz Organization
  • Member of management with Ayalim Association

Publications

  • Erez Kaminitz, “Three Houses and a Yearning, Roots in Law, 697 (2020)
  • Erez Kaminitz, “Statute of Limitations in the Civil Codex”, Considerations in determining new arrangements and their interpretation, Law and Business, D, 399 (2006)

Languages

Hebrew, English

Legal Updates & Cases