Skip to main content

Attorneys

Together we are Strong.

Lester Shaw & Levy LLP was founded in 2023 by a group of talented professionals seeking to pool their skills, experience and resources to better assist their clients. Many of our attorneys have worked together for years in predecessor firms; they have been joined by new partners and associates who appreciate the supportive atmosphere, entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility that Lester Shaw & Levy LLP offers.

Our size enables us to work as a tight team with close relationships while handling large multifaceted transactions and complex litigation. We have kept our focus concentrated on the real estate industry but have expanded our expertise to include many related disciplines, enabling us to be proactive and strategic when advising our clients. Together we have over 125 years of experience representing clients in all phases of the real estate cycle, from market booms to recession, from building, financing and expanding to demolition, workouts and liquidation.

Our varied backgrounds and experience coupled with our collaborative approach enable us to effectively “see around corners” to predict and mitigate risk and suggest effective strategies tailored to each client’s priorities. We are passionate about what we do and enjoy partnering with our clients to create and implement practical solutions.

Ian Lester

Partner

Ian is a founding partner of Lester Shaw & Levy LLP. Throughout his nearly 20 years of practice his focus has been on guiding his diverse group of clients – entrepreneurs, developers, owners, investors, commercial landlords and tenants – through all phases of their real estate projects. Ian has a well-earned reputation as a tenacious advocate for his clients and his practical and creative approach to addressing complicated and nuanced issues led one of Ian’s clients to call him a “consiglieri with the mind of a business lawyer.” This, together with his multifaceted practice and knowledge of how “all of the pieces fit together”, provides Ian with an “uncanny ability to see around the corner before reaching the end of the block.”

View Full Bio

Martin Shaw

Partner

Martin is a founding partner of Lester Shaw & Levy LLP. He is experienced in all facets of real estate law, including development, acquisitions, construction, sales, financing and litigation. He has extensive experience representing developers in real estate and asset-based lending transactions involving the acquisition, development, construction, sale and leasing of all forms of real property and drafting, filing and amending condominium and cooperative offering plans in New York State.

View Full Bio

David Levy

Partner

David regularly advises clients on all matters related to real estate, with a particular focus on the acquisition and disposition of commercial property, commercial leasing (both on the landlord and tenant side) and related corporate matters, including the negotiation of partnership and JV agreements. Prior to joining Lester Shaw & Levy LLP, David spent nearly a decade litigating complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts.

View Full Bio

Allen Schifino

Senior Associate

Allen’s practice focuses on all aspects of commercial and residential real estate and his clients range from individual home buyers to sophisticated real estate professionals. Allen’s primary concentrations are condominium offering plans, acquisitions and dispositions of real property, negotiating trade contracts and construction documents, financings and leasing. Prior to his time at Lester Shaw & Levy, Allen represented institutional lenders in various financing transactions.

View Full Bio
Liren Shou

Liren Shuo

Associate

Liren has worked on a variety of matters relating to residential and commercial real estate transactions. She has assisted in the representation of individuals and corporate entities in the acquisition and disposition of residential coop and condominium units and in the purchase and sale of mixed-use commercial properties. Liren has also worked on commercial leasing, construction, and financing matters. She has also assisted in the preparation of pleadings and drafting of affidavits and memoranda of law for motion practice in various litigations involving financing, brokerage, and landlord-tenant disputes.

View Full Bio
Klara Botvinnik- Paralegal

Klara Botvinnik

Paralegal

Klara, a skilled paralegal specializing in residential real estate, brings over five years of comprehensive experience residential and commercial real estate to Lester Shaw & Levy. She is adept at managing the intricacies of the property transaction process, applying her extensive knowledge to navigate the challenges of real estate transactions, consistently managing deadlines, and resolving complications with skill and efficiency. Her resourcefulness and determination not only reinforce her professional capabilities but also fuel her passion for assisting clients in achieving their real estate objectives.

View Full Bio

Daniel Gammerman

Of Counsel

With more than thirty-five (35) years of experience, Danny conducts a general practice with an emphasis on business and commercial litigation, contract and corporate law, business transactions and formation, collections and real estate. Mr. Gammerman represents closely held entities as well as individuals. Danny is a former partner at Rivkin Radler.

View Full Bio
Natalya Morgan - Director of Operations

Natalya Morgan

Director of Operations