R
OSENBERG & ESTIS, P.C.
733 THIRD AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10017
PRESS CONTACT: Shea Communications, LLC, Linda O’Flanagan, George Shea (332) 456-5459 linda@sheacommunications.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ROSENBERG & ESTIS, P.C. ATTORNEYS RANKED AMONG 2026 BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA
Six team members make prestigious list of nation’s leading legal minds
NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2025 –Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., one of New York City’s pre-eminent real estate law firms, announced that six of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, a leading guide to the nation’s top legal talent.
The 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America honor legal professionals who demonstrate exceptional skill, commitment, and impact in their practice areas.
Longtime honorees Luise A. Barrack and Deborah E. Riegel have once again been recognized among the nation’s top attorneys. Stephen Millington, Nick DiLorenzo, and Jay Min return for a second year in the Ones to Watch list, while Zina Lyakhovetsky makes her debut ranking in 2026.
“It’s a tremendous honor to see six of our attorneys acknowledged among the best in the country,” said Michael Lefkowitz, Managing Member of R&E. “With real estate law ranked among the top five most recognized practice areas, this milestone not only celebrates our 50-year legacy but also reinforces our standing as New York’s go-to full-service real estate law firm delivering trusted counsel across every facet of the industry.”
First published in 1983, Best Lawyers rankings are based entirely on peer review, with over 4.4 million evaluations submitted by more than 250,000 attorneys globally.
Elizabeth Petit, Director of Research & Development and Managing Editor at Best Lawyers, said, “Those included in this year's edition stood out in an exceptionally crowded field and earned the respect of a larger, more discerning group of their professional peers. Their inclusion is a true testament to excellence in practice and reputation within the legal community.”
Rosenberg & Estis’ 2026 Best Lawyers are:
Luise A. Barrack: Luise is a Member of Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. and heads the firm’s Litigation Department. She served as Managing Member from 2010-2020 and, under her leadership, the firm more than doubled in size and received the “Litigation Department of the Year: Real Estate” Award (2018)
from the New York Law Journal. Clients come to Luise for her killer instincts tempered by her sage counsel. She is a staunch advocate for her clients, many of whom she has represented for more than 30 years. Her no-nonsense approach has helped shape Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. into the tough and highly respected law firm it is today.
Deborah E. Riegel: Over the course of her career, Deborah has successfully litigated cases of critical, industry-wide importance on a wide variety of complicated issues on behalf of some of the City’s most prominent owners and developers. As a Member of the firm’s Litigation Department, Deborah most notably served as lead counsel and successfully argued before the Court of Appeals in Matter of Regina Metro. Co., LLC v. New York State Div. of Hous. & Community Renewal, a case which is considered one of the most impactful decisions for the real estate industry in decades. The Court of Appeals adopted R&E’s arguments and found the enactment of portions of the HSTPA of 2019 to be unconstitutional in their retroactive application, saving property owners millions of dollars in potential rent overcharges and avoiding catastrophic underwriting and financing consequences. Ms. Riegel is also a member of the adjunct faculty for Brooklyn Law School, teaching Real Estate Litigation, as well as a member of its Board of Trustees.
Ones to Watch:
Stephen Millington: Since joining R&E in 2020, Stephen has emerged as one of the firm’s most accomplished young attorneys and was elevated to the rank of Counsel when he achieved notable success while taking the lead on a series of high-profile real estate transactions. Stephen represents landlords, tenants, developers, and property managers in commercial real estate transactions. Much of his practice is concentrated in the commercial leasing arena, where he provides his legal expertise in the complex New York City real estate market to clients of all types. While representing a roster of international clients, Stephen has overseen negotiations and completed lease transactions across the U.S., including California, Florida, and Texas.
Nicholas DiLorenzo: Nick joined Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. in 2020 and is Counsel in the firm’s Tax Incentives & Affordable Housing Department. His practice focuses on real estate development, with a specialization in tax incentives, affordable housing, and development bonuses. Nick assists clients in obtaining real estate property tax exemption and abatement, securing bonus floor area development rights through various New York City programs, and negotiating land disposition agreements, regulatory agreements, and restrictive declarations with the City.
Jay Min: Jay joined Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. in 2024 and is an Associate in the firm’s Litigation Department. He has litigated in all aspects of civil defense matters from pre-suit investigation through ADR/trial, including discovery and depositions. He brings a wealth of knowledge from over a decade of legal experience in insurance defense, banking, commercial, and real estate litigation and has represented institutional clients in commercial litigation and commercial mortgage foreclosure actions.
Zina S. Lyakhovetsky: Zina joined Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. in 2022 and is Counsel with the firm’s Transactions Department. Lyakhovetsky represents lenders and borrowers in mortgage and mezzanine financings. She has experience in the drafting and negotiation of loan documents, SNDAs, estoppels, leases and joint venture agreements. Lyakhovetsky has also conducted extensive due diligence and reviewed and negotiated title coverage, survey, and zoning.
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, real estate tax certiorari, co-op and condo offering plan filings and board representation, distressed situations workouts, foreclosures 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 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.