KRISS & FEUERSTEIN - Key Persons
Adam Weinberg is an Associate in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Transaction Group. Adam focuses his practice on commercial and multi-family residential real estate transactions, including the acquisition, disposition, financing, leasing, and development of real estate projects.
Andrew Jacobson is Of Counsel in K&F ™s Litigation group and represents secured and unsecured creditors, commercial lenders and investment firms in complex commercial and real estate related litigation in both New York and New Jersey. Andrew is an experienced commercial litigator who has successfully litigated cases in both state and federal courts in matters involving foreclosures, breach of contract and lender liability claims.
Prior to joining K&F, Andrew practiced with prominent New York law firms including Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner and Windels Marx and as V.P., Assistant General Counsel with JPMorgan Chase.
Andrew Markland is an Associate in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Lending Group.
Andrew represents lenders in the financing of commercial real estate transactions. He has significant experience performing due diligence on behalf of lenders and conducting real estate closings. Andrew is highly adept at reviewing commercial leases and drafting loan documents.
Prior to joining Kriss & Feuerstein LLP, Andrew was an Associate at Jaspan Schlesinger LLP where he was a member of the Banking and Financial Services group representing institutional lenders. While there, Andrew handled assignment of existing mortgages for consolidating and extending existing mortgage debt, negotiated Subordination, Non-disturbance and Attornment Agreements, reviewed and cleared title issues with title insurance companies, and advised clients on a wide range of existing property issues and how to address at closing.
Andrew earned his Juris Doctor at Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center and his bachelor degree at North Dakota State University.
Avraham R. Schachter is a Partner in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Lending Group representing both institutional lenders and private equity groups. As a trusted advisor, Avi skillfully counsels his clients in matters involving construction and mezzanine lending, significant loan restructuring, and workouts.
Highly experienced in representing lenders in connection with co-lending, participation, leverage financing, recognition and inter-creditor agreements, he also has significant experience representing buyers and sellers in acquisitions and dispositions of residential and commercial properties and non-performing loans.
Dan Finnegan is an associate in Kriss & Feuerstein ™s Commercial Real Estate Lending Group and Commercial Real Estate Transaction Group. Between both practice groups, Dan focuses on an array of commercial real estate matters, with a focus on bridge, construction, and mezzanine loans.
Dan received his B.A. from Fordham University and his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, where he was a Dennis J. Block Judicial Fellow and a member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society. He previously served as a judicial intern in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Daniel Zinman is a Counsel in K&F ™s Litigation Group and focuses his practice primarily on the firm ™s bankruptcy and litigation matters. Dan represents debtors, creditor ™s committees, bond holders, secured creditors, trustees, brokers, and potential purchasers of property in a variety of bankruptcy cases and complex litigation matters.
Dan has represented high profile clients including Borders Bookstores (debtor), Adelphia Communications Corp. (creditors committee), WorldCom (bondholders), Enron Corp. (creditor/defendant; asset purchaser), Bank of New England (bondholder), and Lehr Construction (Ch. 11 Trustee).
Dan frequently lectures on various topics related to Bankruptcy and has presented continuing legal education course for the New York State Bar Association, Real Property Section. Dan has also lectured at St. John ™s School of Law on several occasions.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founding Partner
- Lead Counsel
As lead counsel, David spearheaded numerous high profile transactions such as the purchase and financing of Union Station in Washington, DC, 619 West 54th Street in New York City, Faneuil Hall Market Place in Boston, MA, and 625, 635 and 650 Madison Avenue in New York City. Additionally, David has handled hundreds of other acquisitions, financings and leasing of shopping centers, office buildings, industrial and residential properties in major urban markets throughout the United States.
Ellie Forche is an Associate in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Lending Group.
Ellie represents lenders in the financing of commercial real estate transactions. She has experience performing due diligence on behalf of lenders and conducting real estate closings. Ellie is adept at reviewing commercial leases and drafting loan documents.
Prior to joining Kriss & Feuerstein LLP, Ellie was an Associate at Riemer & Braunstein LLP where she was a member of the Real Estate Finance Group representing institutional lenders, collaborating in structuring financing of diverse property types. While there, Ellie handled initial drafts of loan documents and reviewing and analyzing title and other due diligence.
Ellie earned her Juris Doctor at Cardozo School of Law and her bachelor ™s degree at the University of Southern California.
Eric Hoberman is a Partner in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Transactional Group since 2007. Eric is a highly innovative transactional lawyer specializing in complex real estate and investment ventures in New York City and throughout the United States. He counsels clients in the formation, syndication, acquisition, financing, development, sale and leasing of all real estate asset classes. Eric skillfully and successfully negotiates joint ventures and other strategic partnerships for real estate owners and investors.
Eric has expertise across a broad array of transactions including single asset and portfolio real estate acquisitions and sales, sophisticated financing transactions including securitized mortgages, multi-tranche mezzanine loans and preferred equity transactions, office and retail leasing for both landlords and tenants and workouts on behalf of both lenders and borrowers.
A dynamic negotiator, Eric brings a practical business approach to complicated transactions, creativity in structuring deals, and the ability to move quickly and wisely to complete them. Prominent real estate families and large institutional entities rely on Eric to represent their interests in sophisticated real estate transactions, and many consider him trusted counsel and remain long-time, loyal clients.
As a business-minded attorney, Eric understands the nuances of the law as they relate to his clients ™ unique business objectives and focuses on achieving their strategic goals while protecting their best interests.
Between both practice groups, Ernira represents real estate clients on a broad range of commercial real estate transactions, including joint ventures, acquisitions, dispositions, new developments, financings, and leasing. Her experience includes a wide variety of real estate assets, including office buildings, hotels, shopping centers, and multi-family apartment buildings.
Ernira received her B.A. from CUNY Hunter and her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School where she was the recipient of multiple honors and awards. As a student in Brooklyn Law School, Ernira served as the Managing Editor of the Brooklyn Journal of International Law, and obtained her Certificate in Real Estate Law, with distinction.
Job Titles:
- Cardozo Student Contributor
Education
Columbia University School of Law, J.D.
Greg Friedman is Senior Counsel in K&F ™s Litigation Group and represents financial institutions in connection with loan obligations, and in complex commercial and real estate litigation, at both the trial and appellate levels. Greg has obtained successful outcomes for clients in litigations involving commercial foreclosures, contract disputes, disputes arising under the Uniform Commercial Code, bankruptcy, mechanics liens, and fraud.
With specialized knowledge of the complexities of the Bankruptcy Code and bankruptcy case law relating to troubled real estate, Greg helps clients navigate all aspects of financial restructuring both in-court and out-of-court.
Outside the courtroom, Greg handles commercial workouts, including forbearance and deed-in-lieu agreements on behalf of lenders. Greg also represents investors seeking to acquire defaulted loans through loan purchases.
Job Titles:
- Law Clerk
- United States Bankruptcy Judge, Bankr. S.D.N.Y
Jerold C. Feuerstein co-founded Kriss & Feuerstein LLP in 2002 and focuses his practice on commercial lending, real estate and bankruptcy litigation. For 20 years both he and co-founder David Kriss have grown K&F into one of New York ™s premier boutique real estate law firms providing exceptional industry knowledge, responsive service and a proven track record and reach comparable to much larger firms.
John Hayes is a Partner in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Lending Group. John represents investment banks, institutional lenders, and other lenders in complex commercial financings involving portfolio/balance sheet investments and CMBS transactions. Clients rely on John to expeditiously close construction loans, term loans, mezzanine loans, corporate credit lines, and other balance sheet transactions secured by office, retail, hotel and industrial assets.
John also has significant experience representing developers in sophisticated commercial real estate financings and in the acquisition and divestiture of commercial real estate assets. John is known for providing creative solutions to clients with respect to restructuring, workout, and purchase and sale efforts with respect to distressed commercial real estate loans.
Prior to joining K&F, John worked at several prominent New York law firms as well as a global real estate investment bank. He received his B.A. in Economics from Fordham University and his J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate in K & F
Jonathan D. Castellanos is a Senior Associate in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Lending Group and has closed over $2 billion in deals over the course of his career. Jonathan represents lenders and borrowers in connection with their mortgage and/or subordinate financing transactions involving various asset classes. His practice involves drafting and negotiating loan and ancillary documents, leases, opinions, and organizational documents. Jonathan is highly skilled in conducting a full due diligence review of all transaction documents.
Jonathan chairs K&F ™s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, an internal forum with a mission of ensuring that all K&F employees are consistently heard, represented, and respected. He has been selected by Super Lawyers ® as a œTop Rated Real Estate Attorney and has been named to New York Metro Super Lawyers ® Rising Stars.
Prior to joining K&F, Jonathan worked at several prominent New York law firms. He received his B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and his J.D. from Cornell Law School.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in K & F
Les Dowgier is an Associate in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Lending Group. Les advises lenders and borrowers in connection with sophisticated commercial financings involving office, retail, hotel and industrial assets. He is skilled at closing complex commercial real estate transactions including construction loans, term loans, mezzanine loans, corporate credit lines and other balance sheet transactions. Les strives to prevent conflicts through knowledgeable advice before a client ™s loan is finalized.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in K & F
Matthew Budofsky is an Associate in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Lending Group and focuses his practice on commercial real estate transactional matters in the New York metropolitan area. Matthew skillfully represents both institutional and private lenders in commercial real estate lending and transactional matters, with a focus on financing the acquisition and construction of commercial properties. From inception of the transaction through closing, Matthew advises on complex issues related to the purchase, sale, development and financing of mixed-use, multifamily, office, shopping center and industrial properties.
Matthew Klein is a Partner in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Transaction Group, whose practice excels across a wide range of real estate matters including the purchase and sale, leasing, financing, and joint venture of properties nationwide. Matthew is known for his distinctive expertise in commercial loan transactions, where he represents lenders and borrowers in sophisticated loan originations as well as workouts and foreclosures of non-performing loans.
Matthew has been selected as a œTop Rated Real Estate Attorney in New York and has been named to New York Metro Super Lawyers ® highly regarded lists for six consecutive years.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in K & F
Michael A. Giannini is an Associate in K&F ™s Litigation Group. He is a commercial litigator who regularly appears in the Supreme Court of the State of New York and has successfully negotiated many settlements on behalf of his clients. Additionally, Michael works on commercial foreclosures and loan sale matters. Michael's clients respect his meticulous attention to detail, understanding of the law and ability to navigate complex legal issues for the most effective and expedient resolution to their claims. Prior to joining K&F, Michael represented creditors in commercial ligation matters involving business loan agreements, equipment finance agreements, security agreements and general contract disputes. He earned is J.D. from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace and received his B.A. from Fordham University.
Michael Gould is an Associate in K&F ™s Litigation Group. His practice focuses on real estate related litigation, primarily on behalf of mortgage lenders and other secured and unsecured creditors. Michael ™s extensive background includes over 30 years of experience in real estate conveyancing, mortgage lending, and loan workouts, giving him the experience to skillfully prosecute mortgage foreclosures and other civil litigation to conclusion.
Experienced in appellate advocacy, Michael has numerous published decisions and has experience conducting bench trials and prosecuting and defending appeals in the Appellate Term and Appellate Division. Michael has served as a foreclosure referee and receiver, as well as an arbitrator in the Civil Court of New York County, Small Claims Division.
Michael has served as a Pro Bono Arbitrator in Civil Court of the City of New York, Small Claims Division and is a certified Rule 36 receiver and referee.
Sarah D. Ragusa is a Partner in K&F ™s Commercial Real Estate Lending Group.
Sarah is a member of various local, national and global professional organizations, including the New York State, New York City, Suffolk County, Nassau County, American, and Portuguese-American Bar Associations, Long Island Real Estate Group (LIREG), Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys, and sits on various advisory boards and committees of both industry and non-profit organizations.
Stuart L. Kossar is an Associate in K&F ™s Litigation Group and represents financial institutions, private investors, businesses, and individuals in complex commercial real estate disputes. Stuart represents businesses and individuals in all aspects of litigation from pleadings through appeals across a wide range of disputes.
Stuart skillfully litigates on behalf of clients, contested and uncontested commercial and residential foreclosures, landlord-tenant claims, lender liability claims, real estate litigation, commercial litigation, and appeals. Highly knowledgeable in bankruptcy reorganization and litigation matters, Stuart leverages his extensive skill in representing secured and unsecured creditors in in all facets of chapter 7, 11, and 13 cases.
Stuart has been appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of New York Mediation Panel. Stuart is also a Lawline faculty member where he advises other bankruptcy practitioners and the public on a variety of bankruptcy topics.
Prior to joining Kriss & Feuerstein LLP, he was an Associate in a Westchester based firm where he successfully represented large financial institutions in a diverse array of litigation matters.
Stuart received his B.A. in History & International Relations from Lehigh University and received his J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University.