Dear Friends,
I’m pleased to share this window into our events and achievements since our last newsletter (June 2023). This past academic year was one of new accomplishments, including the introduction of our new Emerging Topics in Real Estate and Research and Writing on Real Estate Topics courses, the first-ever N.Y. Real Property Law Journal Symposium, the hiring of four new adjunct faculty members to support our curriculum, and the graduation of nine Real Estate Fellows – our largest Fellowship class ever. At the same time, it was also a year of loss, marked by the death in March of Joseph M. Mattone, Sr. ‘53C, ‘55L, ‘94HON, whose vision and generosity gave birth to the Mattone Institute nearly eight years ago, and whose inspiration and legacy will live on in our work today and in the years to come. None of the accomplishments detailed herein would have been possible without his visionary leadership, as well as the continuing support of the Mattone family, our Advisory Board and many other supportive alumni. Thanks to each of you!
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Robert J. Sein '03
Director
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On July 24, the Mattone Institute CLE Series continued with Guaranty Essentials: Structuring and Drafting for Real Estate Transactions, with Meryl Diamond '99.
On April 17, students and alumni enjoyed an evening of food, drink, and fellowship at our Spring Reception and Awards Ceremony where we presented Hon. Alfred C. Cerullo, III '86 the 2024 Alumni Leadership Award, and Stephanie Rainaud '14 the 2024 Rising Star in Real Estate Award. In addition, our Real Estate Fellows presented the Mattone family with a letter of condolence and gratitude. The event was preceded by a semi-annual Advisory Board meeting. Thanks to all who attended and made this an event to remember!
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On April 3, the N.Y. Real Property Law Journal, in conjunction with the Mattone Institute and the Public Interest Center, held its first symposium, Unmasking Deed Theft in New York: Assessing the Problem and Possible Solutions. The panel discussion was moderated by Ethan Cohen '24, Symposium Editor, and panelists included Christine Burke, Senior Investigative Counsel, RAIL Bureau of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office; Arthur Burkle, Director of Homeowner Defense Project, Staten Island Legal Services; Peter Carrozzo '85, Chief Counsel, Cornerstone Land Abstract; Jacob Inwald, Director of Litigation, Economic Justice of Legal Services NYC; K. Scott Kohanowski, General Counsel, Center for NYC Neighborhoods; and Sophie Muller '23, Attorney, Brick & Patel LLP, who started to study these issues while she was a student at the Law School and wrote a paper on the interrelated problems of heirship property and deed theft (which won the 2023 TREPP Innovation Challenge). Attorney attendees earned up to two CLE credits.
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On March 19, the Director joined Laura Schwartz, Director of the Bankruptcy Center, and Margie Townsend, Director of Graduate Studies, for an LL.M. Program Information Session.
On March 12, the Real Property Law Society organized a virtual Meet the Professors event, which gave students the opportunity to meet adjunct faculty members teaching our advanced real estate courses.
On February 28, we sponsored Getting a Foot in Real Estate Law with Stephanie Rainaud '14, Ashley Williams '21, Meghan Paola '22, and Kylie Springs '21. This virtual event was co-sponsored by the St. John’s Law Alumni Association Alumnae Leadership Council and First 10 Chapters.
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On February 13, we held our annual Real Estate Alumni Reunion Dinner at the New York Athletic Club. Nearly 20 current and graduate Fellows were in attendance.
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On February 12, we hosted a seminar, Careers in Title Insurance, sponsored by the New York State Land Title Association. Speakers included Catherine Castiglia Canino, Antonio Vozza '17, Glenn Jersey, and Stacey Reardon.
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On January 30, the Director held a Mattone Institute Information Session for students.
In the January "wintersession," we offered our new one-credit Emerging Topics in Real Estate course for the first time. This iteration was taught by Hon. John Lansden '91 and focused on NYC landlord-tenant law and Housing Court practice.
Our Research and Writing on Real Estate Topics course, taken by 2L members of the N.Y. Real Property Law Journal, was offered for the first time in Fall 2023. Over the course of the semester, students advanced their research and writing skills by writing case comments, legislative updates, and blog posts on NY real estate law issues. The course included guest lectures by Nikki Merkerson (Pairgap), J.J. Sherman '00 (Law Offices of J.J. Sherman), Juan Restrepo '07 (Richter Restrepo PLLC), Richard Lobel (Sheldon Lobel PC), Kris Ferranti (Clifford Chance), Sateesh Nori (NYU Law School), and Jack Piontkowski '19 (Morrison & Foerster), on a range of topics including proptech, the housing crisis, commercial leasing, affordable housing, New York City land use basics and ownership disclosure/AML requirements.
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The Mattone Institute CLE Series continued on November 9, 2023, with Cannabis Complications in NYC Real Estate with Adam Lindenbaum '03, Harris Davidson, and JP Amato '20.
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On November 6, 2023, we held our Recent Alumni in Real Estate Roundtable with JP Amato '20, Raspreet Bhatia '16, Zach Goldman '17, and Jasmine Khaneja '20.
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On November 8, 2023, we convened a virtual Advisory Board Meeting.
The first weekend in November 2023, we held our Fall Bridge the Gap CLE Weekend, entitled "From Contract through Closing: Unearthing the Landmines Buried in a NY Residential Real Estate Contract" with Vince Gallo (CLE chair), Hon. Robert Straniere, Paul Malon '81, and Chris Kidonakis '09.
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On October 31, 2023, we held an Open House, complete with spooky cookies for all attendees, as part of the Law School’s Harvest Festival.
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On October 28, 2023, Rob Sein '03 and Real Estate Fellow Ubaid Bandukra '23 co-taught an in-person course on Commercial Leasing for small business owners and entrepreneurs sponsored by the Chinatown Manpower Project and NYC EDC.
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On October 23, 2023, as part of the Mattone Institute Speaker Series, Arthur Mirante II '68, Vice Chair North America at Savills, joined us at the Law School for dinner and a fireside chat about his career path, the NYC real estate market, and advice for students preparing to start their careers in real estate.
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William McCracken of Morritt, Hock & Hamroff joined us on October 3, 2023 for a guest lecture as part of the Mattone Institute Speaker Series entitled “The Cornerstones of NYC: One Attorney’s Quest to Document these Historical Memorials of our Built Environment,” where he talked about his longstanding quest to document and catalogue these “building birth certificates.”
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In early October 2023, we kicked off our programming with a Welcome Reception, at which over 60 students gathered to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year of RE law programming.
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On September 20, 2023, the Director held a Mattone Institute Information Session for students.
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Jenna Marshiano '25 was selected to receive the American Immobiliare Commercial Real Estate Scholarship in July. The scholarship supports the next generation of Italian-American influencers and innovators in commercial real estate fields.
In June, Real Estate Fellows Myaysa Evans '24 and Paul Spagnoli '24 were named TREPP Future Commercial Real Estate Leaders. They are featured in the CRE Direct “Mid-Year Magazine” issue that will be published at the CREFC Annual Meeting.
In May, our Advisory Board member J.J. Sherman '00 and Real Estate Fellow Myaysa Evans '24 authored a case comment in California Lawyers Association Real Property e-news: "Unlawful Detainer Actions by Licensors? CA Case Offers Clarity for Short-Term Rentals."
In May, Zachary Rozycki '24 was selected as the winner of the 2023 Mattone Institute Writing Competition for his paper, “Rent Stabilization: Does NY’s Current Rent Regulation Benefit Anyone?” The Competition, now in its fourth year, is intended to encourage and reward writing on real property law by our students and to foster additional scholarship and interest in this area. The winning paper receives a $500 cash award and other benefits.
In April, David Batkiewicz '25 was selected as one of the Commercial Real Estate Rising Stars for the 2024 Long Island Business News Real Estate, Architecture, and Engineering Awards. The awards celebrate brokers, dealmakers, developers, and industry professionals whose knowledge and expertise contribute to Long Island’s economic growth, creating jobs and building communities.
In April, Myaysa Evans '24 received a Friends of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association Diversity in the Legal Profession Bar Prep Scholarship.
In April, Meryl Diamond '99 and Rob Sein '03 were elected as Fellows in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.
In April, Mark Persaud '24 received the first annual N.Y. Real Property Law Journal DiLorenzo Award, recognizing his contributions to the Journal in the 2023-2024 academic year.
In March, Donna-Marie Korth '86 was quoted at the launch of our new Real Estate LL.M. program. Read more about the launch online.
In February, the N.Y. Real Property Law Journal launched its blog featuring writing on New York real estate law-related topics by Journal members.
In January, student editors of the N.Y. Real Property Law Journal were honored at the annual meeting of the NYSBA Real Property Law Section for their contributions to NYSBA and the discussion of real estate law topics by the New York Bar.
In January, Myaysa Evans '24 was awarded a SAME New York City Post Scholarship Fund Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes students with experience, background, or a demonstrated interest in engineering or construction/design law.
In August 2023, Gennaro Priolo '24 was named the 2023-2024 Timothy J. Meehan Fellow in recognition of achieving the highest GPA in advanced real estate coursework among the Real Estate Fellows.
In August 2023, Paul Spagnoli '24 was awarded a 2023 American Immobiliare Commercial Real Estate Scholarship.
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MEET OUR NEW REAL ESTATE FELLOWS
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This summer, we selected our new Real Estate Fellows as the result of the most competitive application cycle in the Program’s history. Congratulations to each of our new Fellows!
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| Joseph DeRicco '26
Joe is a rising 2L from Long Island, NY who graduated from Fordham University with a B.S. in Finance. Prior to law school, Joe spent a year working as a financial consultant and almost three years as a leasing administrator for a relatively large commercial real estate developer on Long Island, where he gained significant transactional experience. At St. John’s Law, Joe is a member of the Real Property Law Society and spent his 1L summer working for Wenig Saltiel, LLP, a real estate litigation firm based in New York City. Joe plans to spend his 2L summer as a 2025 Summer Associate at Haynes and Boone, LLP, where he will gain more exposure real estate transactions and litigation. As a Real Estate Fellow, Joe hopes to develop his knowledge of real estate law by networking with alumni/mentors and connecting with the real estate industry in New York.
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| Theodora Papadoniou '25
Theodora is a rising 3L at St. John’s Law with a strong passion for real estate law. Before coming to law school, Theodora graduated from SUNY Binghamton where she gained her degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Law. While completing her undergraduate degree she worked at a property management firm. Continuing her passion for real estate, Theodora worked at a real estate law firm in Astoria, Queens, for a year before pursing her law degree. Currently, she serves on the editorial boards of multiple school organizations including the Real Property Law Society, New York International Law Review, Student Bar Association, and Hellenic Law Student Association. As a fellow, Theodora is eager to get to work and help make the Mattone Family Institute the best it can be!
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| Christina Simona '25
Christina is a rising 3L from Long Island, NY. She graduated from St. John’s University in 2018 with an M.A. in Government and Politics. Over the past decade, Christina has gained extensive experience working in various real estate firms, where she handled residential and commercial transactions. Currently, she serves as a research assistant at the Consumer Justice for the Elderly Litigation Clinic, where she conducts in-depth legal research to support ongoing cases. She is also a member of the Black Law Students Association. Throughout her legal education, Christina has externed for a magistrate judge at the Eastern District of New York, gaining valuable insights into the judicial process. Her practical experience in the real estate sector and her academic achievements highlight her commitment to the legal profession. Christina is eager to broaden her knowledge and expertise in real estate law and is committed to diversifying and making meaningful contributions to the field.
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| Marc Ziarno '26
Marc is a rising 2L from Long Island, NY. He graduated from Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business in 2023 with a B.S. in Finance. Prior to attending law school, Marc gained significant experience in real estate development. Notably, he contributed to the development of a 66-story luxury condominium building in Manhattan’s Financial District while working with the Lightstone Group. He also gained practical management experience while working with Atlantic Realty Development Co., overseeing several properties throughout New York City. At St. John’s Law, Marc serves as a junior staff member on the New York Real Property Law Journal and is involved with the Hugh L. Carey Dispute Resolution Society. During his 1L summer, Marc interned with the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York. As a real estate fellow, Marc is looking forward to coupling his real estate and finance experience while engaging with the courses, students, and alumni in the Mattone Institute and the NYC real estate industry.
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Three of our Fellows will continue with the program in the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2024!
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Congratulations to all of our 2024 graduates, including our graduating RE Fellows depicted below, who will go on to join a group of 40+ alumni we now refer to as "graduate Fellows." We’re eager to collaborate with you as part of our alumni family!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 MATTONE INSTITUTE PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOW!
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Each year, the Mattone Institute sponsors a Public Interest Fellow who, over the summer, represents traditionally underrepresented clients, groups, or interests relevant to real estate law, including housing, land use, development, environmental, landlord-tenant and/or community redevelopment. In April, Aysesu Yilmaz '26 was selected as the 2024 Mattone Institute Summer Public Interest Fellow. She is spending her summer working at the Goddard Riverside Law Project. Aysesu shares that, “safe, adequate housing is a basic need that we often take for granted, and I’m looking forward to assisting Goddard Riverside Law Project’s attorneys this summer in advocating for tenants’ rights in Manhattan.”
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MEET OUR NEW FACULTY MEMBERS!
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Gregory Alvarez (Land Use Planning) – Greg is a partner at Amato Law Group in Garden City where he manages and directs the firm’s zoning department. Prior to this, he was affiliated with Gibbons, P.C. and Beattie Padovano LLC.
Deborah Goldman (Commercial Real Estate Leasing) – Prior to opening her own firm last year, Debbie was a partner at Belkin Burden Wenig Goldman and Joshua Stein PLLC. She is co-chair of the Commercial Leasing Committee of the New York State Bar Association. She has previously taught at Fordham Law School and Cardozo Law School.
M. Allan Hyman '65 (Real Estate Transactions) – Allan is a partner at Certilman Balin in East Meadow where he serves as co-chair of the Real Estate Tax Certiorari and Condemnation Law Practice Group, and he also practices in the Litigation Group.
Hon. John Lansden '91 (Emerging Topics in Real Estate Law: Landlord Tenant) – Judge Lansden has been a judge on the New York City Housing Court since 2003. He currently serves in Queens County as its supervising judge.
Juan Restrepo '07 (Affordable Housing Law) – Juan is a member of our Advisory Board and a partner at Richter Restrepo PLLC. He will teach this new course in fall 2024.
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STUDENT ORGANIZATION ACTIVITY UPDATE
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| N.Y. Real Property Law Journal
Our student editors continue to assist with the review and editing of the New York State Bar Association Real Property Law Section’s official publication, and in so doing, learn about cutting-edge issues in New York real estate law practice while building their research and writing skills. Congratulations to the newly-elected 2024-2025 Editorial Board: Piero Saune Casas '25, Editor in Chief; Natalie McIntosh '25, Managing Editor; Julia Bryant '25, Deep Patel '25, Noorali Soomro '25 and Nahama Paul '25, Associate Managing Editors; Victoria Knapik '25, Research Editor; Declan O’Connor '25, Symposium Editor; Emily Dessel '25, Michelle Mullin '25, Robert Konopka '25, and Alexia O’Brien '25, Articles Editors; and Adam Elashker '25, James Doheny '25, Imrajdeep Sahota '25 and Annie Gardner '25, Notes and Comments Editors.
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Real Property Law Society
The Real Property Law Society is our student-run organization affiliated with the Mattone Institute focused on real estate law. For the 2024-2025 academic year, its executive board will consist of Eva Mallas '25, President; Theodora Papadoniou '25, Vice President; Ori Kopilev '26, Treasurer; Chelsea Selman '27, Secretary; Bella Garabedian '26, Director of Alumni; and Michelle Mullin '25 and Cathryn Ricciardelli ‘25, Co-Directors of Events.
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Environmental Law Society
In the upcoming academic year, Avery Bakirdan '25 and Kalic Perry '25 will serve as Co-Presidents, Christina Grochowski '26 as Secretary, Alexandra Durst '26 as Director of Events, and Eqra Muhammad '26 as Community Relations Director.
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JD/LL.M. JOINT DEGREE PROGRAM
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Students, did you know that our joint degree program can reduce by half both the time and expense of obtaining your LL.M. in Real Estate degree? The LL.M. courses you take as a J.D. student will count toward the credits needed for your J.D.degree. In addition, up to 12 of those credits can also count toward the 24 credits needed for your LL.M. degree. You will receive your J.D. degree upon completion of the J.D. degree requirements and your LL.M. degree upon the completion of the additional LL.M. degree requirements. (You must complete your J.D. degree and be formally admitted into the LL.M. program in order to receive the LL.M. degree.) If you are interested in exploring this program, you can learn more online or contact Rob Sein.
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REAL ESTATE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT SERIES
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Our Real Estate Alumni Spotlight Series is a monthly feature housed on our website and promoted on our social media channels showcasing our spectacularly talented and diverse real estate alumni base. To date, Chris Palmer '94, Meryl Diamond '99, Hon. John Lansden '91, Yosefa Heber '13, Peter S. Chang '03, Tara Mulrooney '01, Michael Romer '99, Robert Renda '12, Maria Castiglie '15, Al Williams '14, Ben Clack '15, Christina Smyth '02, Hon. Alfred Cerullo '86, Jeremy Wang '08, Nina Williams '06, Thomas Rossi '85, Carrie Adduci '12, Anna Lin '07, Steven Simicich '04, and Andrew Esposito '16, have been featured. Our Real Estate Fellows prepare the Spotlights in coordination with the subject alumni, which offers them yet another way to get to know our alumni and expand their networking base. If you are interested in being featured, please let Rob Sein know!
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS/UPCOMING EVENTS
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We have some great events already on tap for the summer and upcoming academic year, and other events are expected to be added on an ongoing basis. Student members of the Real Property Law Society receive email announcements regarding all student-focused events, and alumni who are on our list of real estate alumni receive advance notice of all alumni-focused events. If you’d like to be added to either list, please contact Rob Sein at seinr@stjohns.edu.
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