Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., New York City’s largest real estate-only law firm, has been named one of the Crain’s 2023 Best Places to Work in New York City. Founded in 1975 by Gary M. Rosenberg and the late Warren A. Estis, the firm has 189 employees and was ranked among large companies with 100 or more staff.
“At Rosenberg & Estis, we work hard to maintain a boutique, family-like atmosphere that celebrates the different skills, talents and culture of our team,” said Michael E. Lefkowitz, Managing Member and a leader of the firm’s Transactional Department. “It is a tremendous honor that so many of our employees acknowledged the firm’s culture to help us earn this recognition from Crain’s New York Business.”
Crain’s partners annually with Best Companies Group to conduct anonymous surveys of thousands of employees at New York City-based companies to select the best places to work. The awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the 100 best companies to work for in the metropolitan area. Highlighting strengths, weaknesses and opportunities to improve, the two-part survey looks to employees for evaluation of their employer’s workplace policies, practices and demographics, as well as its culture and work-life balance.
With an average employment length of 11.5 years, R&E boasts one of the highest retention rates in the real estate law industry. Surveyed employees also noted the firm’s competitive compensation, health benefits, profit-sharing and wellness programs, as well as a hybrid remote work policy that supports work-life balance.
As this award indicates, R&E is known for its engaging, team-style atmosphere which contributes to the firm’s unparalleled ability to collaborate across complex areas of real estate in the representation of owners, developers, operators and managers. When weather permits, R&E’s legal team and staff enjoy a bi-monthly social on the 12th-floor terrace – a time for drinks, appetizers and games which has been dubbed “Thursdays on Third” as a tribute to the terrace’s stunning view down Third Avenue. R&E also uses this outdoor space for weekly morning yoga classes along with other regular events, like staff and subgroup lunches, firmwide breakfasts, ice cream parties, health fairs and more.
Additionally, the R&E community loves any opportunity for competitive fun. This year, the firm started its first intramural softball team. R&E employees also participate in regular group outings involving trivia, bowling, fantasy football and more. R&E is a firm where connections are made across every level of leadership and every area of practice, cultivating a tight-knit sense of camaraderie that helps to advance the firm’s excellent legal services.
“This recognition is a testament to the value we place on our staff and the firm’s commitment to provide superior legal solutions for our clients over the last five decades,” said Gary M. Rosenberg. “We are proud of this firm, and our goal is to continue cultivating a positive working environment as we strategically and systematically advance our growth.”
The Crain’s 2023 Best Places to Work in New York City recognition follows Rosenberg & Estis’ consistent ranking among The Real Deal’s Top New York Law Firms. In 2020 and 2018, R&E also received the highest honor from The New York Law Journal: Litigation Department of the Year (Real Estate).
The firm continues to expand both in size and scope of work it handles. In the past five years, it has grown to 96 attorneys working with 93 support staff across the real estate landscape, helping clients move forward with complex projects and challenging legal issues.