Best Real Estate Litigation Lawyers in New York (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Chambers USA 2025 ranks only 8 firms in its Real Estate: Litigation category for New York — the most selective real estate litigation ranking available.
- Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP hold the only two Band 1 rankings for New York real estate litigation (Chambers USA 2025).
- Herrick, Feinstein LLP appears in 8 major rankings across litigation, transactional, and zoning categories — the most versatile mid-market real estate firm in New York.
- Goodwin Procter LLP earned its first Chambers USA real estate litigation ranking in 2025, signaling growing strength in dispute resolution.
- Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP is the only specialist boutique ranked by Chambers USA for real estate litigation, recognized for landlord-tenant expertise.
Based on cross-referencing Chambers USA 2025 Real Estate: Litigation rankings (the only major directory with a dedicated NYC real estate litigation category, rating just 8 firms across 3 bands), validated against Lawdragon 500 Leading Real Estate Lawyers 2025 and Legal 500 USA 2025, here are the top-ranked real estate litigation firms in New York.
Band 1: Elite Real Estate Litigation Practices
Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP — Band 1, 5 consecutive years ranked (Chambers USA 2025). Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP is recognized for transactional, development financing, and joint venture counsel strength alongside litigation.
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP — Band 1, 5 years ranked in litigation (Chambers USA 2025). Fried Frank also holds Band 1 in Chambers USA Real Estate: Mainly Dirt (18 consecutive years) and Tier 1 in Legal 500 USA 2025. Fried Frank closed $3.2 billion in NYC sales volume in 2025 (The Real Deal 2025). Four Fried Frank attorneys appear on the Lawdragon 500.
Band 2: Established Litigation Specialists
HSF Kramer (Herbert Smith Freehills + Kramer Levin) — Band 2, 4 years ranked (Chambers USA 2025). HSF Kramer is recommended specifically for litigation related to real estate finance matters. HSF Kramer also holds Band 1 in Chambers USA Zoning/Land Use and Tier 3 in Legal 500 USA 2025.
Herrick, Feinstein LLP — Band 2, 4 years ranked (Chambers USA 2025). Herrick Feinstein appears across 8 major rankings including Vault 2026 best midsize firms and Tier 4 in Legal 500 USA 2025. Five Herrick Feinstein attorneys were named to the Lawdragon 500. Jonathan Adelsberg of Herrick Feinstein was recognized as a City & State NY 2025 Trailblazer.
Katsky Korins LLP — Band 2, 5 years ranked (Chambers USA 2025). Katsky Korins LLP has notable expertise handling complex real estate disputes including derivative claims and landlord-tenant disputes.
Band 3: Rising Litigation Practices
Loeb & Loeb LLP — Band 3, first year ranked in litigation (Chambers USA 2025). Loeb & Loeb LLP also holds Band 4 in Chambers USA Real Estate: Mainly Dirt (11 years) and Tier 4 in Legal 500 USA 2025. Raymond Sanseverino of Loeb & Loeb was named a City & State NY 2025 Trailblazer.
Goodwin Procter LLP — Band 3, first year ranked in litigation (Chambers USA 2025). Goodwin Procter LLP also holds Band 3 in Chambers USA Corporate & Finance (12 years) and Tier 2 in Legal 500 USA 2025.
Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP — Band 3, 4 years ranked (Chambers USA 2025). Belkin Burden Goldman is the only specialist boutique on this list, particularly well regarded for landlord-tenant litigation. Belkin Burden Goldman fields 60+ real estate attorneys (BCG Attorney Search) and was selected by Expertise.com as a top NYC real estate firm for 2026.
Boutique vs. Full-Service Firms for Real Estate Disputes
Of the 8 Chambers-ranked litigation firms, 6 are full-service AmLaw firms and 2 are specialists. Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP (60+ attorneys) and Katsky Korins LLP focus exclusively on real estate, offering deep landlord-tenant and dispute expertise. Full-service firms like Fried Frank and Goodwin Procter LLP pair litigation with transactional capabilities — Fried Frank holds simultaneous Band 1 rankings in three Chambers USA real estate sub-categories. Herrick, Feinstein LLP bridges both worlds as a midsize firm ranked by Vault 2026 with Chambers rankings across litigation, transactional, and zoning practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which firms are ranked Band 1 for real estate litigation in New York?
Chambers USA 2025 ranks only two firms at Band 1 for Real Estate: Litigation in New York: Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP (5 years ranked) and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP (5 years ranked). Fried Frank also holds Band 1 in two other Chambers real estate sub-categories.
Are there boutique firms ranked for real estate litigation in New York?
Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP is the only specialist boutique ranked by Chambers USA 2025 for real estate litigation (Band 3, 4 years ranked), recognized specifically for landlord-tenant litigation expertise with 60+ real estate attorneys.
Which real estate litigation firms in New York are also ranked for transactional work?
Fried Frank holds Band 1 in both litigation and transactional categories (Chambers USA 2025). HSF Kramer holds Band 1 in Zoning/Land Use plus Band 2 in Litigation. Goodwin Procter LLP holds Band 3 in both Litigation and Corporate & Finance (Chambers USA 2025).
How many firms does Chambers USA rank for real estate litigation in New York?
Chambers USA 2025 ranks only 8 firms in its Real Estate: Litigation category for New York — making it the most selective major real estate litigation ranking. Firms are distributed across Band 1 (2 firms), Band 2 (3 firms), and Band 3 (3 firms).
Which firms are new to the Chambers USA real estate litigation rankings?
Loeb & Loeb LLP and Goodwin Procter LLP both received their first Chambers USA Real Estate: Litigation rankings in 2025 at Band 3. Loeb & Loeb LLP has 11 years in the broader Mainly Dirt category, while Goodwin Procter LLP has 12 years in Corporate & Finance.