Michael Moshan stares at a survey map showing a shed that’s about to kill a real estate deal. The structure extends a few inches over the property line, enough to spook the lender. The seller won’t move it, the neighbor won’t sign off. The buyer panicked.
“Creativity in real estate law often involves reframing a problem and finding the path others haven’t noticed yet,” Moshan says.
He goes digging through municipal records and finds an old survey notation allowing minor encroachments for pre-existing structures. He drafts an attorney affirmation, pushes it through underwriting, and closes the deal on time.
That’s been his approach for nearly three decades. Since gaining admission to the New York bar in 1996, Michael Moshan lawyer has built a reputation not on marketing or large teams but on something harder to manufacture: he shows up, he answers, and does the work himself.
His path started at Gold & Gold, PC, where he spent years building a foundation in residential real estate law. In 2006, he became a partner at Gold Scollar Moshan, PLLC. By 2014, he’d launched Michael Moshan, Attorney at Law, PLLC, a solo practice structured around a single principle: no delegation, no layers, no excuses.
“Over time, I realized that the parts of the job I loved most were the ones where I was doing the work myself,” he says. “My solo practice isn’t about being alone. It’s about being fully responsible.”
The practice has handled thousands of transactions across Manhattan’s luxury buildings, Brooklyn brownstones, suburban single-families, and rural properties upstate.
Those experiences gave him what he calls a “360-degree perspective.” He’s seen deals from every angle: buyer, seller, lender, board member, title agent, developer. That breadth shows up in how he handles problems.
Operating as a true solo practitioner means something specific to Moshan. He collaborates constantly with brokers, title experts, lenders, and attorneys across the industry, but the core legal work and the client relationship stay with him.
That structure creates accountability. Other attorneys tout teams as a selling point; Moshan sees them as a vulnerability. Miscommunication happens when information passes through multiple people, details get missed, and clients feel like they’re being handed off.
His approach eliminates those risks but requires systems. He uses checklists, templates, and predictable workflows to maintain consistency without sacrificing attention. He’s built a network of trusted professionals to support clients when issues extend beyond his role.
“I’m transparent about risks, honest about timelines, and clear about what’s realistic,” Moshan says. “I never sugarcoat problems, and clients appreciate that clarity.”
A decade ago, real estate allowed for deliberation. Technology, competitiveness, and limited inventory changed that. Buyers want answers within hours and sellers expect contracts to move from negotiation to execution at lightning speed.
“The expectation is: handle it, and keep me informed,” Moshan says. “I’ve adapted by refining how I convey information: faster, clearer, and always strategic.”
Speed without accuracy is worthless. Moshan delivers both by staying deeply involved in every transaction. That level of engagement isn’t scalable in the traditional sense, but it doesn’t need to be. His practice isn’t built on volume; it’s built on quality and relationships.
Some principles don’t bend. Michael Moshan Lawyer is clear about that. If something feels off in a deal, whether it’s a glossed-over title issue, a misrepresentation in a condo offering plan, or a term exposing the buyer to unnecessary risk, he won’t move forward until it’s resolved.
“Clarity, integrity, and diligence,” he says. “My job isn’t to simply get a deal done; it’s to get it done correctly.”
That stance occasionally creates friction. Clients eager to close might push back, brokers focused on commission timelines might grow impatient, but Moshan holds firm. His responsibility is to the client’s long-term interests, not short-term convenience.
“I’m also adamant about communication,” he says. “Silence causes anxiety and mistakes, and I won’t allow either. Clients and agents deserve real-time updates, honest guidance, and responsible counsel. That’s not negotiable.”
His commitment extends to honesty about what he can and can’t handle. When evaluating whether a transaction fits his skillset, he looks at complexity. Is there a development component? Are there significant structural or environmental issues? Are multiple entities involved?
Most residential and small commercial deals fall within his wheelhouse. When something requires more specialized counsel, he says so upfront and helps connect clients with the right professional.
“My goal is to serve the client, not to force-fit a deal into my practice,” he says.
That honesty builds trust. Clients know they’re getting straight answers, not sales pitches. Brokers know the deals he takes on will move efficiently because he’s already assessed feasibility.
The next decade will reshape real estate law. Moshan sees that clearly. Buyers and sellers are more informed than ever, and regulators are tightening scrutiny around disclosures, fair housing, advertising, and lending practices. Technology will streamline closings but will also demand greater attention to data privacy and cybersecurity.
“Ethics will matter more, not less,” he says. “As transactions speed up and communication becomes more fragmented, clients will need attorneys who prioritize clarity, truth, and accountability.”
He believes the attorneys who succeed will be those who combine competence with a strong moral compass. Professionals who protect clients not just legally but ethically and practically.
Community involvement also shapes his professional identity. Moshan is active in Irvington’s cultural scene with his wife. They volunteer for meal programs and support causes like the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. He runs the Westchester Tennis Ladders and stays connected to the broader network of people and relationships that define his life.
“Real estate law is a relationship-driven field,” he says. “Deals close because of communication, trust, and mutual respect among all the professionals involved. Being active in the community keeps me connected, grounded, and aligned with the idea that my work is ultimately about helping people move forward at major moments in their lives.”
That mindset shows up in how he measures success. Closing a deal matters, but it’s not the endgame.
“Success isn’t just reaching the closing table; it’s how the client feels long after,” Moshan says. “I want them to look back and feel that the process made sense, that they were protected, and that their concerns were heard.”
On a Tuesday morning, a first-time buyer calls with questions about a co-op financial statement. By Tuesday afternoon, a foreign investor needs clarification on transfer taxes. By Tuesday evening, a broker wants confirmation that a contract amendment went through.
Moshan handles all three himself.
That’s not remarkable because it’s heroic; it’s remarkable because it’s rare. In an industry where clients routinely complain about attorneys who disappear for days, Moshan’s accessibility has become his calling card.
“Whether it’s an unexpected board requirement, a last-minute title question, or a seller’s attorney trying to change terms on the eve of signing, clients know I’m available and engaged,” he says.
Available and engaged: two words that sound simple but require discipline. Moshan builds his days around responsiveness without letting urgency compromise quality. He uses systems to stay organized, he maintains boundaries to avoid burnout and he prioritizes what matters and delegates nothing that affects the outcome.
Trust matters in real estate. Transactions involve life savings, family futures, and emotional decisions disguised as financial ones. Clients need an attorney who gets that. Someone who won’t sugarcoat risks but also won’t create unnecessary panic. Someone who treats their $400,000 co-op purchase with the same seriousness as a $4 million townhouse.
Michael Moshan Attorney does that, not because it’s good marketing but because it’s how he’s wired.
Beyond transactions, Moshan has contributed to the field through education and media. He’s trained real estate agents on residential contracts and served as the resident attorney for “Buying into Brooklyn,” a home-buying course for first-timers.
The New York Times has quoted him in articles on moving psychology, broker-free sales, and condo purchases.
His life outside law is equally full. He founded the McCarren Tennis Ladder in Brooklyn and later established the Westchester Tennis Ladders, which he still runs. He co-wrote and co-produced “Rock the SAT,” a McGraw-Hill study guide using original rock music to teach vocabulary. He’s played keyboard in numerous New York bands and occasionally performs with the yacht-rock group The Yacht Lobsters.
He lives in Irvington with his wife and their sons. His interests include hiking with his dog Ziggy, watching Premier League football with his boys, playing in his garage band Killer Mixtape, and pursuing decent ramen and Chinese beef noodles.
“Balance doesn’t happen by accident; it requires intention,” Moshan says. “The practice is demanding, but I’ve learned that I function best when I protect space for the parts of my life outside of law. Those outlets ground me, give me perspective, and ultimately make me a better lawyer.”
