Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. mourns the passing of Warren A. Estis, a founding partner of the firm and a distinguished member of New York City's legal community, who will be remembered for his wit, intellect and tireless commitment to the real estate industry.
Warren was a true titan of real estate who embraced litigation with the passion and enthusiasm of an avid sports fan. He was known to judges and opposing counsel for his fierce, colorful, and truly unique litigation tactics. He was quick on his feet, and a mercurial fighter with unshakable confidence in his own views. He had an incredible sense of humor and an unparalleled ability to make a deal.
During his 49-year career, Warren established a powerful track record as a tenacious litigator, who protected the rights of New York City's top developers and property owners. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of New York State law, which enabled him to resolve complex issues, and to serve as a valued educator and mentor to other attorneys.
Warren served as the firm's lead trial attorney, successfully trying cases in state and federal courts, while arguing before the New York State Court of Appeals, Appellate Division, and the Appellate Term. Warren's practice included a broad range of matters, including commercial litigation, landlord-tenant disputes and land assemblages. He shared his legal expertise as editor and co-author of the Landlord/Tenant Law and Rent Regulations columns in the New York Law Journal, and as author of a book, New York Rent Regulation Reform Act of 1997.
Warren received his B.A. from Long Island University/C.W. Post College and his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. Among many honors, Warren received the American Jurisprudence Award in Negotiable Instruments and the Civil Court Practice Section Award from the New York County Lawyers Association
He was a member of a host of legal industry associations, including the New York State Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, New York City Bar Association and the bar association's State Courts of Superior Jurisdiction Committee, Special Committee on the Housing Court and Civil Court Committee along with the New York County Lawyers Association and the association's Committee on the Judiciary.
Warren is survived by his ex-wife, Karen Estis, his partner Tatiana Enkin, and his children Alex and Dani.
Areas Of Practice
- Litigation (Commercial)
- Litigation (Real Estate)
- Landlord Tenant Law
- Eminent Domain
- Mortgage Foreclosure
Bar Admissions
- New York, 1974
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1974
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 1974
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 1974
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 1974
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1977
- U.S. Tax Court, 1974
Education
- Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York
- J.D. - 1973
- Honors: American Jurisprudence Award in Negotiable Instruments, 1972
- Honors: New York County Lawyers' Association Civil Court Practice Section Award, 2000
- Long Island University, C. W. Post College, Brookville, New York
- B.A. - 1970
Published Works
- "Landlord/Tenant Law Column" (Editor/Co-Author), New York Law Journal, August 1993-present
- "Rent Regulations Column," New York Law Journal, June 1997-present
- "Landlord-Tenant Law Column" (Co-Author), General Practice in New York, West, 1997
- "The New York Rent Reform Act of 1997" (Co-Author), Matthew Bender, 1997
Representative Cases
- In re Metropolitan Transit Authority,86 A.D.3d 314, 927 N.Y.S.2d 67
- TAG 380, LLC, v. ComMet 380, Inc., 82 A.D.3d 673, 922 N.Y.S.2d 2
- W&W Glass, LLC v. 1113 York Ave. Realty Co., Inc., 83 A.D.3d 438, 920 N.Y.S.2d 347 (1st Dep't 2011)
- Carnegie Hall Corp. v. Niffenegger, 2007, 12/5/07 NYLJ, p. 1, col. 3
- 220 West 98 Realty LLC v. New York Province for the Society of Jesus, 8 Misc.3d 1020(A), 2005 WL 1792597 (Civ. Ct. N.Y.Co. 2005)
- 501 East 87th St. Realty Co., LLC v. Ole Pa Enterprises Inc., 191 Misc.2d 796, 745 N.Y.S.2d 827 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Co. 2002), aff'd 304 A.D.2d 310, 757 N.Y.S.2d 31 (1st Dep't. 2003)
- Sommer v. Ann Turkel, Inc., 530 N.Y.S.2d 946 (N.Y.City Civ.Ct. 1988)
- Sommer v. Ann Turkel, Inc., 522 N.Y.S.2d 765 (N.Y.Sup.App.Term 1987)
- Hudson View Properties v. Weiss, 450 N.E.2d 234 (N.Y. 1983)
- Barbizon Hotel v. McDaniel, 448 N.Y.S.2d 619 (N.Y.City Civ.Ct. 1982)
- La Guardia v. Cavanaugh, 423 N.E.2d 9 (N.Y. 1981)
Classes/Seminars
- In June 2016, Warren A. Estis and Michael A. Pensabene presented seminars for the continuing legal education program at the New York State Judicial Institute, which provides statewide education and training for the judges and justices of the New York State Unified Court System.
- New York State Judicial Seminar (Faculty), 1994 - 2008
Honors and Awards
- AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell
- Selected for inclusion in New York Super Lawyers, 2006 - Present
- New York County Lawyers' Association Civil Court Practice Section Award, 2000
- American Jurisprudence Award in Negotiable Instruments
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Bar Association, Member
- New York State Bar Association, Member
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- New York City Bar Association, Member, Committee on Superior Courts, 1992 to 1995
- New York City Bar Association, Member, Special Committee on the Housing Court, 1987 to 1992
- New York City Bar Association, Member, Civil Court Committee, 1984 to 1987
- New York County Lawyers Association, Member, Committee on the Judiciary, 1994 to Present
- New York County Lawyers Association, Member, Civil Court Practice Section, 1996
- New York County Lawyers Association, Housing Court Task Force, Member, 1996 to 2000
- Housing Part of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Member, Advisory Council, 1990 to 1998
- Member
