Four Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers for 2027

Daniel M. Bernstein and David J. Rosenberg earn recognition
for the first time

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NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2026 – Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., one of New York City’s preeminent real estate law firms, announced today that four of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

“These recognitions reflect the exceptional talent, judgment and commitment our attorneys bring to their clients and to the real estate industry,” said Michael Lefkowitz, Managing Member of Rosenberg & Estis. “We are particularly pleased to see Daniel and David recognized for the first time, joining Luise and Deborah, who have established themselves as leaders in their respective practices. Each of these attorneys reflects the depth of experience and forward-looking counsel that define Rosenberg & Estis, and we are proud to see their work recognized by their peers.”

First published in 1983, The Best Lawyers in America recognizes leading attorneys across the country through a peer-review process designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers regarding the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographic region and legal practice area.

Rosenberg & Estis’ 2027 Best Lawyers honorees are:

The Best Lawyers in America

Daniel M. Bernstein is a Member of Rosenberg & Estis’ Administrative Law Department whose practice focuses on affordable housing, property tax and financial incentive programs, and regulatory matters affecting New York City real estate. He advises developers, owners, purchasers and lenders on complex issues involving property tax exemptions and abatements, affordable housing programs, regulatory agreements and development rights.

His work includes representing developers of major residential and mixed-use projects throughout New York City, structuring projects to maximize eligibility for property tax incentives, and advising clients on New York City’s affordable housing and Inclusionary Housing programs. Bernstein is recognized for the first time in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Deborah E. Riegel is a Member of Rosenberg & Estis’ Litigation Department who has successfully litigated cases of critical, industry-wide importance on behalf of some of New York City’s most prominent owners and developers. She served as lead counsel in Matter of Regina Metropolitan Co., LLC v. New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, a landmark case in which the New York Court of Appeals held that portions of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 could not be applied retroactively.

Riegel continues to play a leading role in significant litigation affecting New York City’s rent-regulated housing industry. She currently serves as co-counsel for a group of property owners challenging the New York City Rent Guidelines Board’s June 2026 decision to freeze rents for rent-stabilized apartments. The lawsuit challenges the process leading to the Board’s decision and argues that the Board failed to adequately account for rising operating costs facing property owners.

Riegel is also a member of the adjunct faculty at Brooklyn Law School, where she teaches real estate litigation.

Luise A.  Barrack is Special Counsel in Rosenberg & Estis’ Litigation Department and served as Managing Member of the firm from 2010 to 2020. During her tenure, the firm more than doubled in size and received the New York Law Journal’s “Litigation Department of the Year: Real Estate” award in 2018.

An experienced practitioner in New York’s courts, Barrack has substantial experience across all facets of real estate litigation, representing developers, lenders, commercial owners, hoteliers, not-for-profit corporations and educational institutions. She is also one of New York’s leading Loft Law practitioners, handling matters involving legalization, valuation of loft fixtures and the costs of code compliance.

A staunch advocate for her clients, many of whom she has represented for more than 30 years, Barrack has played an integral role in establishing Rosenberg & Estis as one of New York City’s leading real estate law firms.

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America

David J. Rosenberg is a Member of Rosenberg & Estis’ Transactions Department whose practice focuses on zoning, land use and complex real estate development matters. He advises developers, property owners, nonprofits, religious organizations and institutions on projects throughout New York City, including rezonings, special permits and variances, development rights, environmental review, and approvals before the City Planning Commission and Board of Standards and Appeals.

Rosenberg has played a significant role in several high-profile New York City development matters. His experience includes obtaining City Planning authorizations that facilitated the $289 million refinancing of an 800-unit residential development on the East River waterfront and representing developers in a rezoning for Brooklyn’s largest privately funded affordable housing development.

More recently, he identified the site and required land-use actions for a high-profile downstate gaming facility proposal and secured a Brooklyn rezoning that will allow a longstanding religious organization to rehabilitate its synagogue and senior center while creating new permanently affordable, family-sized housing. His work also includes advising a major educational and healthcare institution on a 10-year development master plan and helping navigate a complex, multi-year matter involving critical repairs to an 1,800-unit affordable housing complex in the Bronx.

Rosenberg is recognized for the first time in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

 

About Rosenberg & Estis, P.C.

Founded in 1975, Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. is widely recognized as one of New York City’s preeminent real estate law firms. R&E provides full-service representation and advice across every aspect of real estate, from due diligence and financing to 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, real estate tax certiorari, co-op and condo offering plan filings and board representation, distressed situation workouts, foreclosures and bankruptcies, trust and estate planning, and the litigation and negotiations that can arise from real estate transactions. R&E’s wealth of experience in New York real estate makes it a trusted partner for owners, developers, not-for-profit corporations, educational institutions, sponsors, equity investors and lenders in real estate transactions and in court proceedings across New York.