Experience

Assembly OSM

• United States
• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• • May 2023 - Present

  * Responsible for operating the business “as a business” and continuously developing the corporate infrastructure necessary to transition from a post-$38M Series A (April 2022) start-up into a mature, profitable enterprise. Working to accelerate growth, meet financial targets, achieve tax efficiency, and manage risk and legal exposure. Partnering with executive team to meet growth targets financed through a combination of venture capital, debt financing and other lending facilities, project-level partnerships and capital infusions, self-development and third-party developer deals, while exploring alternative revenue sources.* Overseeing day-to-day administrative activities and ensuring smooth corporate operations of various departments, such as finance and accounting, HR/people operations, risk management and corporate governance, development and investor relations. Working with people operations team to foster and promote a healthy and inclusive work environment to allow our talented cross-functional team of AEC + manufacturing professionals room to develop professionally - both individually and as a team - in order forge new paths and achieve their desired career trajectory.* Company-wide oversight, engagement, drafting and negotiation of all corporate, design/construction, manufacturing and business operations agreements. Ensuring overall good corporate governance and compliance with applicable corporate and life/safety laws and regulations. Show less

• • Nov 2019 - May 2023

  Early member of a talented and pioneering group of individuals with markedly diverse and deep-rooted experience in their respective AEC, technology, manufacturing and procurement fields coming together in a collaborative way to build architecturally distinct buildings using enhanced precision manufacturing techniques. Working with the executive team, internal and external stakeholders, design team and project managers to provide practical legal and business judgments and solutions to benefit the company's and its customers' business and development objectives. Responsible for all AEC, partnership, real estate contracts and business agreements, as well as governmental and corporate compliance. Managing, coordinating and serving as liaison with strategic partners, consultants, and government agencies. Directing the company's IP and risk mitigation strategies while supporting the implementation of management's strategic plan and its collegial company culture, mission and core values. Show less



Law Offices of David N. Esterman, PLLC

• Principal

  • Jan 2018 - Present

  Providing external general counsel function and consulting services drawing upon 25 years of unique qualifications including a combination of in-house and private practice, litigation and transactional experience, and business judgment and legal perspectives across all platforms of ground-up retail, office and residential development that has included financing, acquisition/disposition, partnerships, construction, retail and commercial leasing, operations and asset management. This broad-based commercial experience and core competency in real estate allows for effective and efficient advice and counseling on a broad range of commercial real estate matters. Show less



Forest City Ratner Companies

• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• • 2013 - Dec 2017

  Provided counsel, direction, and legal support to executive leadership, legal team members, and project executives from a project’s inception through to its stabilization, including pre-development, development, construction, close-out, commissioning, lease-up, and operations. Acted as general counsel to company associates on company policies and opined on corporate employment and HR matters.Negotiated, drafted, and advised on office, retail, and amenity leasing, LOIs, licensing, and relocation agreements throughout office, retail shopping center, and restaurant portfolio. Provided guidance, strategy, and advice on office, retail, and residential development, construction, operating issues, and asset management. Managed, hired, coordinated, supervised, strategized, and co-sourced work with outside counsel across all platforms of business, including development/partnerships, construction, consulting, leasing, operations, litigation, and HR/employment issues. Promoted operational excellence to implement corporate strategic plan seeking to deleverage, mitigate risk, and increase revenue through partnerships, asset dispositions, and creative problem-solving.Prepared development and construction documents, including joint venture, acquisition, architectural and design, artist, consulting, construction/program manager, trade, and technology agreements for all projects. Oversaw, directed, and coordinated company’s legal strategy for litigation matters/disputes. Show less

• • 2007 - 2013



LePatner & Associates, LLP

• United States
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Real Estate Associate

  • 2004 - 2007

  Represented owners, developers, high net worth individuals, and architects in all phases of multi-party, multimillion-dollar construction-related litigations and arbitrations. Prepared for and conducted trial as lead counsel for commercial dispute through close of evidence. Negotiated and drafted GMP construction manager, general contractor, design professional, consulting, real estate, and general commercial agreements. Represented owners, developers, high net worth individuals, and architects in all phases of multi-party, multimillion-dollar construction-related litigations and arbitrations. Prepared for and conducted trial as lead counsel for commercial dispute through close of evidence. Negotiated and drafted GMP construction manager, general contractor, design professional, consulting, real estate, and general commercial agreements.



Rosenberg & Estis, P.C.

• United States
• Law Practice
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Real Estate Transactional/Litigation Associate

  • 2001 - 2004

  Conducted due diligence, drafted and negotiated commercial leases, and prepared lease abstracts. Managed real estate and commercial litigation caseload involving real property disputes among high profile clients, including breaches of lease and co-op and condominium matters. Devised strategies, analyzed claims, drafted pleadings, conducted discovery, negotiated settlements, and penned appeals and numerous Yellowstone injunctions and motions for summary judgment. Conducted due diligence, drafted and negotiated commercial leases, and prepared lease abstracts. Managed real estate and commercial litigation caseload involving real property disputes among high profile clients, including breaches of lease and co-op and condominium matters. Devised strategies, analyzed claims, drafted pleadings, conducted discovery, negotiated settlements, and penned appeals and numerous Yellowstone injunctions and motions for summary judgment.



Gartner, Bloom & Greiper, P.C.

• Litigation Associate

  • 2000 - 2001

  Litigated general liability and contract cases from inception to pre-trial. Litigated general liability and contract cases from inception to pre-trial.



Heidell Pittoni Murphy & Bach LLP

• Law Practice
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Litigation Associate

  • 1999 - 2000

  Maintained civil litigation caseload from inception through pre-trial. Maintained civil litigation caseload from inception through pre-trial.