Appointment is latest in a series of new hires that have positioned firm as industry leader
NEW YORK, March 3, 2025 –Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., currently celebrating its 50th year as one of New York City’s pre-eminent real estate law firms, announced that Sean Garahan has joined the firm’s expanding roster of attorneys as a Member within the Transactions Department.
Garahan is a highly respected transaction attorney with extensive experience representing owners, investors and developers in all aspects of commercial real estate deal making. He has risen to prominence as a leading expert in complex real estate finance structures, representing both borrowers and lenders in mortgage, mezzanine, CMBS, construction, and other financings, as well as complicated restructuring and workout arrangements.
“With his impressive background in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, Sean will be a great addition to our team and will contribute significantly to the continued success and growth of the firm,” said Managing Member Michael Lefkowitz.
Garahan’s experience spans all asset types and includes such major developments as the acquisition of the $5.7 billion American Dream mall in New Jersey, an $870 million acquisition and bridge loan for a luxury New York City apartment development, and a $1.7 billion package that included EB-5 funding for a Joint Venture building a mixed-use property in Manhattan.
He also has significant experience representing clients in the purchase and sale of subordinated and mortgage debt, including the negotiation of participation, intercreditor, and co-lender agreements. Over the course of his career, he has represented institutional lenders in the origination of CMBS mortgage financings in excess of $10 billion.
Garahan joins Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., from Nixon Peabody, where he served as Special Counsel following a career that has included stints with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Mayer Brown, and Holland & Knight. He began his career as a paralegal with Pryor Cashman, studying for his Juris Doctor (JD) at New York Law School and later becoming an Associate with that firm. He received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College and his master’s from St. John’s University.
Said Garahan, “I’m thrilled to be joining Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., whose work across the real estate landscape is a benchmark of excellence. With my experience in structured financing and high-value deals, I look forward to bringing my results-driven approach to support our clients in achieving their goals.”
Garahan’s appointment is the latest in a series of new hires at R&E as the firm continues to bolster its experienced bench of attorneys equipped to navigate the city’s ever-changing real estate landscape. Most recently, former New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust General Counsel Lisa Lim was recruited to join a dedicated New York City Development Group focused on City of Yes regulations. Raychel A. Camilleri also joined the firm as a Member within the Litigation Department highly skilled in navigating complex high-exposure, casualty, construction and real estate disputes.
Added Lefkowitz, “For 50 years, Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., has evolved and grown with the city’s real estate industry. Historic changes over recent years have driven our continued efforts to adapt and leverage the expertise of our team members to provide our clients with the most effective support and value in a dynamic business landscape.”
About Rosenberg & Estis, P.C.
Founded in 1975, Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. is widely recognized as one of New York City’s pre-eminent real estate law firms. R&E provides full-service representation and advice in every aspect of real estate, from performing due diligence and evaluating financing, to handling joint ventures, acquisitions and leasing, construction and design team agreements, property tax exemptions and abatements, land use and zoning matters, Real Property Income & Expense (RPIE) filings, co-op and condo offering plan filings, distressed situations and bankruptcies, trust and estate planning, as well as the litigations and negotiations which sometimes ensue when deal-making. R&E’s wealth of experience in New York real estate makes it the ideal thought partner for owners, developers, not-for-profit corporations, educational institutions, sponsors, equity investors and lenders in both real estate transactions and in all court venues.