When property matters become complicated, real estate owners, developers, investors, landlords, and other property professionals often need specialized legal guidance. Belkin Burden Goldman, formally known as Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP, is a New York law firm focused exclusively on real estate law.
Founded in 1989, the firm has developed a practice covering real estate transactions, litigation, zoning and land use, leasing, construction, co-op and condominium matters, landlord-tenant disputes, administrative proceedings, and other property-related legal issues. Its work is primarily connected with New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area, although the firm also serves clients nationwide.
For people searching for information about Belkin Burden Goldman, understanding its history, practice areas, attorneys, and role in the New York property market provides a useful starting point.
What Is Belkin Burden Goldman?
Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP is a New York-based law firm specializing exclusively in real estate.
Unlike a general practice law firm that handles areas such as criminal law, family law, personal injury, and corporate matters, BBG concentrates its legal services around real property and related disputes and transactions.
The firm’s current website describes its work as covering the ownership, development, operation, and regulation of real property. Its practice includes both transactional and litigation services.
This specialization is particularly relevant in New York City, where real estate transactions and property disputes can involve complicated zoning rules, rent regulations, building requirements, financing structures, leases, ownership arrangements, and administrative procedures.
History of Belkin Burden Goldman
Belkin Burden Goldman was established in 1989.
Over the decades, the firm expanded its team and developed a broad real estate practice serving property owners, developers, investors, landlords, managing agents, and other participants in the real estate industry.
The firm’s current attorney directory says that it has grown to more than 60 experienced real estate attorneys in the New York City metropolitan area.
The firm also states that it has served more than 1,000 real estate clients since its founding.
Its long history is closely connected with the changing legal environment of New York real estate.
Real Estate Litigation
One of the firm’s major practice areas is real estate litigation.
Property disputes can involve landlords and tenants, ownership rights, leases, construction issues, regulatory requirements, property operations, and other disagreements.
BBG’s litigation practice handles matters involving both residential and commercial real estate. Chambers’ 2026 profile identifies the firm as particularly active in landlord-tenant litigation and disputes involving property rights and tax incentives.
Real estate litigation may involve negotiations, administrative proceedings, court cases, appeals, or other forms of dispute resolution depending on the circumstances.
For property owners and developers, having attorneys who understand both the legal and practical aspects of real estate can be important when a dispute threatens an investment or property operation.
Land Use and Zoning
New York City real estate development is heavily affected by zoning and land-use regulations.
Before developing, expanding, converting, or changing the use of a property, owners and developers may need to understand applicable zoning rules and approval requirements.
Belkin Burden Goldman provides legal services related to land use and zoning. Its lawyers advise clients on zoning matters and development-related issues across New York City. Chambers’ 2026 profile specifically identifies the firm as experienced in zoning and rezoning approvals.
Land-use work can become especially important for large development projects, property conversions, redevelopment plans, and projects requiring regulatory approvals.
Commercial Real Estate Transactions
Real estate law is not limited to disputes.
Many property owners and investors need attorneys during purchases, sales, financing arrangements, refinancing, and other transactions.
BBG’s practice includes sophisticated real estate transactions, including acquisitions, sales, refinancing, financing, and leasing matters.
Legal counsel can help clients examine contracts, identify potential risks, conduct due diligence, negotiate transaction terms, and address regulatory or property-specific concerns.
For commercial real estate investors, these issues can have significant financial consequences, making specialized legal advice an important part of a transaction.
Commercial Leasing
Commercial leases can be considerably more complicated than standard residential rental agreements.
A commercial lease may address rent, operating expenses, maintenance responsibilities, insurance, repairs, permitted uses, assignment rights, renewal options, defaults, construction work, and termination provisions.
Belkin Burden Goldman has a dedicated commercial leasing practice within its broader real estate practice.
The firm represents clients in leasing matters and works with different participants in commercial property transactions.
Landlord and Tenant Law
Landlord-tenant disputes are another significant area of the firm’s work.
New York has a complex residential rental environment, including laws and regulations affecting rent, tenant protections, building requirements, and landlord responsibilities.
BBG represents clients in landlord-tenant disputes involving residential and commercial properties. Chambers specifically notes the firm’s experience in residential and commercial landlord-tenant litigation.
These matters may involve lease disputes, possession issues, regulatory questions, building-related matters, and other disagreements between property owners and occupants.
Co-op and Condo Law
New York City has a large cooperative and condominium market, creating specialized legal needs for boards, owners, developers, and other stakeholders.
Belkin Burden Goldman includes co-op and condominium law among its practice areas.
Legal issues in this field can involve board governance, building operations, alterations, owner disputes, contracts, financing, rules, and regulatory matters.
The firm’s attorneys also work with condominium and cooperative boards on governance and property-related disputes.
Construction Law
Construction projects frequently involve complex legal relationships among developers, owners, contractors, architects, lenders, subcontractors, and other professionals.
Problems can arise over contracts, delays, payment, defective work, project changes, insurance, construction defects, and other issues.
Construction law is one of BBG’s listed practice areas. The firm handles construction-related transactional and litigation matters as part of its broader real estate practice.
Tax Exemptions and Zoning Incentives
Real estate projects can sometimes qualify for tax exemptions or incentives depending on the property’s characteristics and applicable government programs.
Belkin Burden Goldman has developed a dedicated practice involving tax exemptions and zoning incentives.
The firm announced in 2025 that it expanded this practice area with five strategic hires.
This area is particularly relevant to developers and property owners evaluating the financial and regulatory aspects of New York real estate projects.
Loft Law
New York City’s history includes many properties with unusual residential and commercial arrangements, including loft spaces that have been subject to specialized regulations.
Loft Law is another area identified among BBG’s practice capabilities.
Because these matters can involve complicated property histories and regulatory requirements, specialized knowledge can be important for owners, tenants, and other affected parties.
Administrative Proceedings
Real estate matters sometimes involve government agencies and administrative bodies rather than traditional courtroom litigation.
Belkin Burden Goldman represents clients in administrative proceedings involving real estate.
These proceedings may involve regulatory requirements, property conditions, housing issues, zoning matters, or other government-related questions.
The firm’s attorneys work across transactional, regulatory, administrative, and litigation matters, allowing clients to address different stages of a property-related legal issue.
Due Diligence for Real Estate
Due diligence is an important part of buying or financing property.
Before completing a transaction, buyers and investors may need to investigate ownership records, leases, zoning, building conditions, regulatory matters, litigation, financing arrangements, and other potential risks.
Belkin Burden Goldman lists real estate due diligence among its capabilities.
Thorough due diligence can help identify legal or financial issues before a transaction is completed.
Leadership at Belkin Burden Goldman
The firm currently lists Jeffrey L. Goldman and Daniel T. Altman as co-managing partners.
Jeffrey Goldman also serves as chair of the Litigation Department, while Daniel Altman serves as chair of the Transactional Department.
This leadership structure reflects the firm’s two major sides of real estate practice: litigation and transactions.
Sherwin Belkin
Sherwin Belkin is one of the firm’s founding partners.
His practice has included residential landlord-tenant matters and proceedings involving New York housing and administrative agencies.
Chambers’ 2026 profile identifies him as a notable real estate litigator and notes his experience with multifamily property disputes.
His long association with the firm also reflects BBG’s history in New York landlord-tenant law.
Ron Mandel
Ron Mandel is another attorney associated with the firm’s real estate practice.
His work includes zoning and land-use matters, particularly involving complex projects in New York City.
Chambers identifies Mandel as a notable practitioner for zoning and land-use work and describes his experience assisting developer clients with complex projects.
A Growing Legal Team
BBG’s attorney directory currently lists more than 60 attorneys across its practice areas.
The firm also announced several partner promotions in January 2026, including Mark Antar and Aris E. L. Dutka in litigation, Michael A. Mulia in transactional work, and Frank Noriega in land use and zoning.
These changes indicate continued development of the firm’s legal team across multiple areas of real estate law.
Recent Recognition
Belkin Burden Goldman continues to receive professional recognition.
In June 2026, the firm announced that 29 of its attorneys were selected for the 2026 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. The attorneys were recognized across areas including real estate litigation, transactions, administrative law, construction, and land use and zoning.
In August 2026, the firm also announced that 12 attorneys had been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2027 New York City Metro rankings across several real estate practice areas.
These are external professional recognitions and should be considered separately from a firm’s own marketing descriptions.
Where Is Belkin Burden Goldman Located?
Belkin Burden Goldman is headquartered in New York City.
Its listed office address is:
60 East 42nd Street, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10165
The firm states that it serves clients in the New York City metropolitan area as well as clients nationwide.
For legal matters, potential clients should contact the firm directly and discuss their particular circumstances rather than relying solely on general information available online.
Who Does Belkin Burden Goldman Represent?
The firm’s client base includes various participants in the real estate industry.
These can include:
- Real estate developers
- Property owners
- Real estate investors
- Landlords
- Managing agents
- Commercial property owners
- Residential property owners
- Cooperative boards
- Condominium boards
- Institutional clients
- Other real estate professionals
The firm’s website specifically describes its work with property owners, developers, investors, managing agents, landlords, and homeowners.
Why Specialized Real Estate Law Matters in New York
New York City’s real estate market presents legal challenges that can be highly property-specific.
A single project can involve zoning regulations, financing, construction contracts, leases, environmental considerations, building requirements, ownership structures, and potential disputes.
For that reason, a law firm specializing exclusively in real estate can provide a focused legal perspective.
Belkin Burden Goldman has built its practice around these property-related issues rather than maintaining a broad general-law practice.
Belkin Burden Goldman in the New York Real Estate Market
New York’s property market includes some of the most valuable and complicated real estate in the United States.
From apartment buildings and commercial properties to development sites, cooperatives, condominiums, and large investment projects, each property can involve a different combination of legal requirements.
BBG’s practice covers many of these areas, allowing its attorneys to work with clients at different stages of the property lifecycle—from acquisition and development to operation, leasing, regulatory compliance, and litigation.
The firm’s long history since 1989 also means its practice has developed alongside major changes in New York real estate law and regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Belkin Burden Goldman?
Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP is a New York law firm focused exclusively on real estate law. Its practice includes litigation, transactions, leasing, zoning, land use, construction, landlord-tenant matters, co-op and condo law, and other property-related legal services.
When was Belkin Burden Goldman founded?
The firm was founded in 1989.
Where is Belkin Burden Goldman located?
Its listed office is at 60 East 42nd Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10165.
What type of law does Belkin Burden Goldman practice?
The firm’s practice is focused exclusively on real estate law, including litigation, transactions, commercial leasing, zoning and land use, construction, landlord-tenant disputes, co-op and condo matters, Loft Law, and tax exemptions and zoning incentives.
Who leads Belkin Burden Goldman?
Jeffrey L. Goldman and Daniel T. Altman are listed as the firm’s co-managing partners. Goldman chairs the Litigation Department, while Altman chairs the Transactional Department.
Does Belkin Burden Goldman handle landlord-tenant disputes?
Yes. Landlord-tenant disputes are among the firm’s established practice areas, covering both residential and commercial real estate matters.
Conclusion
Belkin Burden Goldman has established itself as a specialized New York real estate law firm since its founding in 1989. Its work covers many parts of the property industry, including real estate transactions, litigation, leasing, zoning, land use, construction, landlord-tenant matters, co-op and condominium law, administrative proceedings, and real estate due diligence.
With more than 60 attorneys listed by the firm and a client base that includes property owners, developers, investors, landlords, and other real estate professionals, BBG continues to focus its legal practice on the complex regulatory and commercial environment surrounding New York property.
For anyone researching Belkin Burden, the key point is that the name refers to Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP, a law firm specializing in New York real estate rather than a general legal practice. Its broad range of property-related services makes it a notable name in the New York real estate legal sector.
