ROMER DEBBAS - Key Persons
Alison L. Weisman Roeper is a partner in the firm's commercial real estate department. Alison concentrates her practice on representing buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, developers, borrowers and lenders in connection with various real estate and lending transactions.
Bruce D. Katz is a Partner in the firm's Residential Real Estate Department. Bruce has gained his excellent reputation in the real estate community through both his uncanny knowledge of the New York real estate market and by having an encyclopedic knowledge of most buildings throughout Manhattan. Over the years, he has established relationships with many of NYC's most notable real estate professionals. Clients and brokers alike appreciate his responsiveness and accessibility to them and their needs. He strives to treat each client retained by the firm and broker on the deal, with the utmost personal attention and care. He and Steven Matz are the very proud parents of two grown daughters.
Prior to joining the firm in 2022, Bruce was the Founder and Managing Partner of renowned residential real estate law firm, Katz & Matz, P.C. which merged with Romer Debbas LLP.
Caitlin L. Bronner is Counsel in the Firm's Litigation Department. She is an experienced commercial litigator specializing in complex contractual disputes, Civil RICO and white collar litigation, real estate disputes, including title company claims litigation, and shareholder suits, particularly those involving membership/partnership interests in Delaware alternative entities. A member of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, Caitlin also handles U.S. litigation and negotiations for Swedish individuals and companies. Ms. Bronner litigates complex commercial litigation matters in State and Federal Court, and is equally experienced at arbitrating and mediating disputes before, among others, JAMS, and the AAA. Caitlin has a robust appellate practice, having successfully briefed and argued appeals before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, the New York State Court of Appeals, and the Appellate Division.With regard to her Civil RICO litigation, Caitlin is noteworthy for having secured on of the few Civil RICO awards to have ever been issued in an arbitration in New York.
A commercial dispute can tie up valuable time and money. Believing that litigation should be a
last resort, Caitlin labors to reach an efficient and effective solution for clients dealing with
complex matters. She has eighteen (18) years of experience counseling clients on how to avoid costly litigation by anticipating potential problem areas. Through collaborative efforts, Caitlin develops long-term strategies that take into account current legal issues; but when litigation is necessary, Caitlin remains a staunch advocate for her clients and their rights. Over the course of her career, she has represented a variety of entities, including corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, public benefit corporations, title companies, and individuals
Carmen I. Pagan is a Partner of the Firm and Head of Agency Lending Practice. Carmen concentrates her practice in real estate matters. She represents DUS and construction lenders, seller/servicers and other financial institutions in all aspects of commercial lending, including conventional loans, senior housing, student housing, credit enhancement for municipal mortgage bond financings originated through Freddie Mac Seller/Servicer and Capital Markets Execution programs, and Fannie Mae DUS program.
Carmen also has experience with portfolio and cross-collateralized loans at a national level and other loans involving:
Affordable housing/subsidies complex structures
IRS Section 1031 like-kind exchanges
Lease-back structures
Ground leases
Master leases
Real estate investment trusts
Industrial development agencies
State housing finance agencies
Local municipalities
Defeasance
Low income housing tax credits
Historic tax credits
Other various types of funds
Catherine M. Azevedo is a senior associate in the firm's Agency Lending & Affordable Housing Department led by partner Carmen Pagan.
Catherine primarily focuses on representing commercial lenders, seller/servicers and other financial institutions in the financing of multifamily properties through the Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting & Servicing product line and the Freddie Mac Seller-Servicer program, with an emphasis on affordable housing.
Catherine specializes in commercial real estate finance and has worked in-house with top financial institutions including agency lenders and a global wealth management firm. She is well versed in due diligence review and has successfully facilitated countless closings.
In addition to commercial real estate, Catherine has experience in corporate finance in connection with small business lending and has closed numerous loans in conformance with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Catherine is fluent in Spanish and Tagalog.
Christian G. Zebicoff joined the firm as a partner in March 2017. Christian manages the firm's Trust & Estates, Estate Planning and Elder Law practice group. He also has substantial experience representing commercial and not for profit entities.
His clients are typically individuals, families and small businesses. He assists his clients with the preparation of their wills and trusts and advises them on more complex tax planning techniques. Christian has guided his clients through the often difficult process of administering these trusts and estates with personal care and service. He also assists elderly clients and their families with long term care and Medicaid planning issues. During his career, he has also litigated many Surrogates Court matters, including contested probate, accounting and miscellaneous proceedings in all counties.
In addition, Christian is an experienced real estate attorney. He regularly assists his clients with their real estate transactions having represented buyers and sellers of single family residences, co-ops, condominiums and townhouses in New York City and surrounding areas.
Christian regularly presents on the topic of estate planning and health care decision making to various professional and community organizations. He also has been recognized as an Empire State Counsel for his extensive pro bono work.
Daniel G. Knox is Counsel in the Firm's Litigation and Commercial Real Estate Departments.
Daniel represents individuals and commercial entities in litigation in both state and federal courts. He is well versed in business and real estate related litigation including landlord/tenant, contract disputes, title insurance claims and co-op/condo litigation. In addition, Daniel regularly represents clients in the acquisition, disposition, and leasing of residential and commercial real estate and provides advice regarding various business transactions ranging from entity formation to the purchase and sale of existing businesses.
Prior to joining the Firm, Daniel owned and operated his own law practice for approximately nine (9) years. He also obtained valuable experience at a reputable NYC commercial real estate law firm as a young attorney.
Darian Salazar is an associate supporting the firm's transactional real estate and real estate litigation departments. Darian specializes in residential and commercial purchase/sale and leasing transactions, including office & retail leasing, access and license agreements as well as AIA contracts. He is well deserved in transactional due diligence and real estate finance matters.
On the litigation front, Darian supports the firm's litigation department via legal research, court appearances and document drafting in connection with real estate and commercial litigation matters.
Edward S. Feldman is Senior Counsel in the Firm's Real Estate Department. A graduate of Syracuse University and Fordham Law School, Edward has practiced law for more than 40 years specializing in real estate law, banking and civil litigation throughout that time.
Most recently, Edward owned and operated Feldman & Associates, PLLC together with his son, Seth Feldman. Previously, Edward had many noteworthy positions in his career including, but not limited to, Attorney in the Real Property Bureau of the New York State Department of Law, Assistant General Counsel to United Jersey Bank (now part of Bank of America), and Vice President-General Counsel of J.I. Sopher & Co., Inc., at that time the largest residential brokerage in New York City, Senior Attorney and head of the co-op/condominium department of Kaye Scholer Fierman & Handler, Senior Real Estate Partner of Snow Becker Kraus, P.C. and co-founder and partner of Kristal & Feldman in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Edward has also taught as an Adjunct Professor of Business Law at Middlesex County College in Edison, New Jersey and given numerous seminars concerning real estate law and related topics for the National Business Institute and Lawline.com.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association
Elsa Ayoub's practice focuses exclusively on business immigration law. She represents multinational corporations and individuals with respect to doing business and working in the United States in a wide range of industries, including media, financial services, advertising, education, entertainment, banking, consumer products, health care services and health care management services. Elsa has extensive experience representing corporate clients and their foreign national employees in all phases of the employment process and in the transfer of their foreign national executives, managers, professionals, investors, and performing artists to the United States. In addition, Elsa Ayoub represents foreign business owners who are immigrating to the United States to establish and manage U.S. operations and take their companies global.
Elsa also counsels individuals, who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in their field of endeavor and who do not require corporate sponsorship to immigrate to the United States. She has an exceptional record in advising companies with respect to the best short- and long-term visa strategies for their specific needs. Whether it be a short-term business visitor, a treaty trader or investor, a specialty occupation worker, an executive or managerial intracompany transferee, a physician or nurse, or an artist or businessperson of extraordinary ability. Her expertise also extends to representing clients on naturalization matters and in advising them regarding the retention or relinquishment of permanent residence status.
Elsa Ayoub is a graduate of the American University, Washington College of Law in the District of Columbia, with a Masters of Laws in International Legal Studies. Prior to moving to the United States, she received the equivalent of a Juris Doctor and Masters in International Private Law from the Université Panthéon-Assas in Paris, France. She is fluent in French, Spanish and Arabic.
Elsa is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and is admitted to practice law before the Courts of the State of New York.
Guy Arad is a partner of the firm and manager of the firm's commercial real estate department. Since 1997, Guy's practice has focused on commercial and residential real estate.
Guy has been counted on by numerous real estate developers, owners, tenants, lenders, mortgage brokers, real estate agents, management companies, condominiums, cooperatives (including HDFCs), homeowners and entrepreneurs of various businesses to provide guidance and handle their transactional real estate needs. From the acquisition and disposition of mixed-use, multi-family, office, hotel, warehouse/industrial and residential properties, to sales and purchases of mortgage loans, to drafting and negotiating of office, retail and ground leases, to representing some of the largest lending institutions in the United States in construction and other mortgage loans, he has successfully completed thousands of commercial and residential real estate transactions since his entrance into the practice of law.
Jonathan Helfer is a Partner in the firm and co-manages the Residential Real Estate Department. Jonathan has handled and supervised thousands of transactions, from the most basic to the most complex residential and commercial deals. Clients and brokers know that when they work with Jonathan they are working with someone who not only is extremely knowledgeable and professional, but also with someone who truly cares and wants the experience to be a positive one. He is well known and liked by his peers in the real estate community and speaks often at numerous brokerage offices as well as continuing education classes. He and his wife, Erica, are parents of two wonderful sons and reside in Manhattan.
Kacey Modafferi is a Partner in the firm's Residential Real Estate Department. Kacey has vast experience in the representation of buyers and sellers in the purchase and sale of condos, coops and multi-family housing. She is committed to making the process enjoyable and stress-free for her clients. She prides herself on being attentive and accessible, and in taking a team approach to getting the deal closed.
In her career, Kacey has also represented institutional lenders in consolidation, extension and modification agreements; real property/cooperative apartment refinances; and home equity line closings. Kacey also served as counsel and transfer agent to cooperative corporations, advocated for lenders in foreclosure settlement conferences and represented individuals in real estate and commercial litigation. Kacey resides in Brooklyn where she loves spending time with her husband and son. She is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey.
Kyle E. Scheiner is a Partner in the firm's Residential Banking Department. Kyle has vast experience in representing different types of lenders in all phases of purchases and refinances. He specializes in residential and construction-lender representation on behalf of numerous institutional and non-traditional lenders. Kyle has closed many types of conventional and non-conventional loans including New York CEMAs, business purpose loans, government sponsored programs (VA and FHA), REO foreclosures, short-sales and reverse mortgages. Beginning his career in the title industry, Kyle also has experience in title clearance and strives to ensure quality and responsiveness throughout the entire transaction.
When not in the office Kyle enjoys rooting for his beloved New York Islanders and is an avid golfer. He is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Managing Partner
Michael J. Romer is the co-founder and Managing Partner of the firm. Michael represents a broad range of clients in connection with the acquisition, sale, lease, development and/or financing of commercial land residential properties. Such clients include both domestic and foreign individuals buying for residential or investment purposes as well as institutional and private equity clients.
In addition, Michael has a long history of representing prominent financial institutions in commercial and residential lending transactions including some of the most exclusive private banks and wealth management divisions in the country. He also represents many cooperative and condominium boards in New York City area handling their general counsel and litigation needs.
Michael and co-founder Pierre E. Debbas had a vision to create a full-service firm that could handle any and all real estate related matters including acquisition, sale, leasing, co-op/condo board representation, development as well as related areas such as corporate, real estate litigation, estate planning and immigration. Providing the best advice in a cost-effective manner is a core principal of the firm.
In 2018, Michael was named in Super Lawyers NY Metro (Real Estate) which lists the top 5% of all lawyers in their respective areas as nominated by their peers. Prior to that, Michael was regularly named in the Rising Stars section of Super Lawyers which lists the top 2.5% of lawyers under the age of 40.
Michael is a frequent contributor to national and local media outlets with respect to issues related to real estate and related finance. He regularly presents, lectures and serves on panel discussions in front of a wide range of audiences including many of the top brokerage houses in New York City. Michael is certified by New York Department of State to reach continuing education courses to residential real estate agents and commercial brokers.
Michael Romer on American Agenda Discussing Impact of Trump Fraud Judgment (Part 2)Michael Romer on American Agenda Discussing Trump Judgment & Bond (Part 1)Michael Romer on Fox5NY News - Trump Deadline to Post Appeal Bond
Michael R. Feldman, Esq. is a partner and co-manager in the firm's residential real estate department. Michael concentrates his practice on representing buyers, sellers and lending institutions in residential and commercial real estate transactions. Michael graduated Phi Beta Kappa from University of Wisconsin-Madison and was further recognized for academic excellence by being inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Golden Key International Honour Society. He later attended Seton Hall University School of Law located in Newark, New Jersey. After graduating, Michael focused his practice on civil litigation and criminal defense as an associate for highly regarded New Jersey based practitioners.
In 2010, he came to New York to focus his practice on transactional real estate. He is involved in all aspects of the firm's transactional real estate practice and is well versed in the areas of contract negotiation and due diligence.
Since 2017, Michael has been named in the Rising Stars section of Super Lawyers. Rising Stars lists the top 2.5% of lawyers under the age of 40 in their practice area.
Nicole Fadel is an associate in the firm's residential real estate department and supports the firm's active transactional real estate practice. Nicole specializes in assisting buyers, sellers and lending institutions involved in residential real estate transactions.
During law school, Nicole served as an extern in our residential practice and became an invaluable member of the team. She is well versed with respect to the due diligence conducted on residential real estate transactions including review of offering plans, financial statements, co-op/condo board minutes.
Nicole Malen is an associate in the firm's residential real estate department and supports the firm's active transactional real estate practice. Nicole specializes in assisting buyers, sellers and lending institutions involved in residential real estate transactions.
During law school, Nicole served as an extern in our agency lending and affordable housing practice and became an invaluable member of the team. Nicole also received valuable residential real estate experience at a boutique real estate law firm as well as a real estate brokerage. She is well versed with respect to the due diligence conducted on residential real estate transactions including review of offering plans, financial statements, co-op/condo board minutes.
Peter I. Reiter joined the firm as a partner in June, 2014. Most recently, Peter was a partner at Hofheimer, Gartlir & Gross for over six (6) years. He has extensive experience in all types of major real estate transactions, including both office and retail leasing, acquisitions and dispositions, service agreements (e.g. architectural, engineering, design and construction contracts, and procurement related agreements).
In addition to his law firm experience, Peter was Real Estate Counsel and Vice President at Gulf & Western for twelve (12) years and Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase Bank for seventeen (17) years.
Peter is a member of the Real Estate Committee of Congregration Sheare Zadek.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Founding Member
- Managing Partner
- Partner
Pierre E. Debbas is a partner and founding member of the firm. Pierre has extensive experience in the areas of real estate and general business law. His practice focuses on the purchase and sale of commercial and residential real estate in New York City, commercial leasing, real estate related financing matters, representation of cooperative and condominium boards, foreign investors and small businesses. Over the course of his career, Pierre has been involved in thousands of real estate transactions and is instrumental in his firm's annual ranking as one of the top transactional firms based on volume of transactions closed in NYC.
Pierre is frequently quoted and invited to participate in a variety of national and regional publications including the New York Times, Bloomberg TV, Fox Business, The Real Deal and Wall Street Journal. He is regularly a featured lecturer at several of the city's largest real estate brokerage firms. In addition, Pierre is certified by the New York Department of State to teach continuing education courses on the topics of residential and commercial real estate.
Pierre has been nominated for Super Lawyers for multiple consecutive years which lists the top 5% of all lawyers in their respective practice areas as nominated by their peers and has an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review. In addition, Pierre has been named in New York Magazine's Leaders in the Law as one of the top attorneys in NYC as well as Notable in Real Estate which is selected by CRAINS listing the top real estate professionals in the city.
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Senior Counsel
- Member of the American Bar Association
Bob Howard joined the firm as counsel in August, 2014. Previously, he was a partner at Hofheimer Gartlir & Gross, LLP for more than (20) years. His principal practice areas are estate planning and administration, federal and state income tax matters, and representation of closely-held businesses.
Bob also provides estate planning services to a wide range of clients. He renders advice in connection with estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes as well as income taxes; plans for wealth transfers to family members and charitable beneficiaries; drafts wills and trust agreements; plans for estate liquidity needs; and provides advice regarding asset protection.
Bob is a member of the American Bar Association (Sections of Taxation and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law) and the New York State Bar Association (Trusts and Estates Law Section). He is the author of numerous articles on tax subjects and is a frequent lecturer. He enjoys an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Sarah Tadros Awad is a Partner in the firm's residential real estate department and supports the firm's active transactional real estate practice. Sarah specializes in assisting buyers, sellers and lending institutions involved in residential real estate transactions. Sarah is well versed in pre-contract due diligence, contract negotiations, and closings. She has handled countless transactions start to finish and understands the importance of keeping both the client and broker informed throughout. She is an integral part of the firm's real estate practice. Most notable to Sarah's experience is working on a $50 million purchase, which is one of the highest priced transactions at the firm.
In addition to residential real estate, Sarah has extensive experience handling corporate matters related to real estate as well as various litigation matters.
Sarah regularly engages in public speaking and teaching engagements related to real estate law. In addition to being a wife and mom of two, Sarah is regularly involved in her community and mentoring girls and women professionally. Sarah co-founded Romer Debbas' Women in Real Estate Group (RD W.I.R.E), which is an employee resource group with the purpose of creating a welcoming and empowering workplace culture for women at the firm.
Scott Krinsky is a Partner in the firm's Residential Banking Department. Scott co-manages the firm's residential banking practice serving as counsel to over thirty (30) lending institutions and private banks. Scott has extensive experience representing institutional lenders in connection with loans pertaining to the purchase and refinance of residential properties.
In addition, Scott often represents buyers and sellers in the purchase and sale of condominiums, coops and multi-family buildings throughout New York.
Since 2018, Scott has been named in the Rising Stars section of Super Lawyers. Rising Stars lists the top 2.5% of lawyers under the age of 40 in their practice area.
Seth I. Feldman, Esq. is a Partner in the firm and Manager of the Co-op/Condo Governance Department. Seth represents a wide variety of Co-op and Condo Boards throughout New York City as well as countless buyers and sellers of residential and commercial real estate. Seth also represents commercial landlords and tenants in the negotiation of commercial leases. Clients, brokers, property managers, and lenders alike know Seth to be responsive, thorough, and amiable.
Seth is also a passionate supporter of the arts with a love for theater, especially Shakespeare. Seth and his wife Meg live in New Jersey with their two sons and a fluffy dog.
Sheella R. Martinez is an associate in the firm's Litigation Department under the supervision of partner Steven Kirkpatrick, Esq. Sheella assists the firm's clients on a wide variety of litigation matters including, but not limited to, landlord-tenant disputes, administrative and regulatory agency matters, bankruptcy proceedings, ADA and human rights litigation, construction disputes, arbitrations and cases in state and federal courts. She also assists on various commercial real estate and property management matters.
Steven Matz is a Partner in the firm's Residential Real Estate Department. Over the years, Steven has become one of the most well respected and highly regarded real estate attorneys in NYC, often serving as a consultant to brokerage houses, financial firms seeking real estate counsel for their clients and referred to by some of the largest and established law firms when legal conflicts arise. Steven is particularly experienced in the specific needs of International and of the most high profile/high net worth clients as well as being very knowledgeable on 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges, LLC Formation and with most every issue involving purchasing or selling property in NYC. While extremely well versed in all aspects of the field, he is particularly adept and experienced in transactions regarding new construction and conversion projects, providing written digests and comprehensive analyses to clients and brokers alike. His "tell it like it is" attitude is one of his many respected trademarks as are his superlative interpersonal skills.
Prior to joining the firm in 2022, Steven was the Founder and Partner of renowned residential real estate law firm, Katz & Matz, P.C. which merged with Romer Debbas LLP.
Steven Kirkpatrick joined the firm as a partner in March 2019 and represents property owners, management companies, financial institutions, retailers, hotels and commercial office tenants in a wide variety of matters. Steven has successfully represented and counseled clients in landlord-tenant disputes, administrative and regulatory agency matters, bankruptcy proceedings, ADA and human rights litigation, construction disputes, arbitrations and cases in state and federal courts.
Steven began his career in real estate managing buildings in Washington Heights and Harlem. He later managed a portfolio of commercial and residential properties in Greenwich Village, the Lower East Side and Meat Packing District neighborhoods. While working as a property and asset manager, Steven attended law school at night, graduated with honors and continued his studies to obtain an LL.M (masters of law) in taxation from New York University School of Law. Prior to beginning the private practice of law, Steven served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel with the New York City Law Department.
Steven's background in property management gives him a unique understanding of the owner's and manager's view and an ability to analyze matters from a practical business perspective as well as a technical legal one. His contacts and understanding of government agency operations have also proved to be very useful to clients in administrative law and compliance matters.
Steven currently serves as Chair of the Litigation Subcommittee of the New York City Bar Association, Real Estate Committee, and as a member of the 2017-2018 Construction Codes Revision Committee - Administrative and Enforcement Advisory Committee. Steven also serves as a mentor coach with America Needs You, an intensive two-year program for high-achieving, low-income, first-generation college students. In 2012, Steven was named in Super Lawyers which lists the top 5% of all lawyers in their respective practice areas as nominated by their peers and he has continued to be selected for this honor every year since.
Steven Szczesny is a Partner in the firm's Residential Real Estate Department. Steven enjoyed great success prior to entering the residential real estate world as a litigator, prevailing in over 85 percent of his trials. Outside of litigation, he also worked in the public sector with the NYPD and had a brief stint in politics with Congressman Steve Israel. Steven brings his trial acumen to real estate transactions, where his attention to detail, amazing people skills and responsiveness are immediately evident and appreciated by all who are lucky enough to work with him. Steven's goal in all of his transactions is to be extremely efficient, organized and transparent throughout the whole process. His professional demeanor, knowledge and upbeat attitude are appreciated by clients and fellow colleagues alike. Steven is admitted to practice in New York as well as being admitted to practice in all four Federal Districts in New York.