Esta Algava-Czik is a Partner in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group with a focus on banking and financing. In practice for over 30 years, Esta has earned a “AV-Preeminent” rating from her peers, the highest legal rating awarded by the legal rating publisher Martindale-Hubbell. Only two percent (2%) of New York metro attorneys have earned an “AV” rating. Esta is a 2019 Outstanding Women in Law Award recipient and has been named by Long Island Business News as one of Long Island’s leading attorneys in Commercial and Residential Real Estate.

Esta has a broad range of experience in real estate and commercial matters. She represents institutional lenders in commercial transactions including real estate financing, construction financing, asset-based and corporate lending, equipment financing, mezzanine financing, debt restructurings and the purchase and sale of bank assets. She also represents developers and investors in the purchase, sale, construction, development and financing of commercial buildings, industrial facilities, shopping centers, hotels, 1031 properties and multi-family housing located throughout the United States

In addition, Esta is well versed in leasing and represents both landlords and tenants in negotiating leases, net leases and ground leases for retail, commercial and industrial space. Esta represents prominent owners in negotiating some of the largest per square foot leases of office space on Long Island.

Prior to joining the firm, Esta was Vice President and Associate General Counsel at both First Nationwide Bank and Atlantic Bank and practiced in New York City with Schulte Roth & Zabel, LLP, Friedman Krauss & Zlotolow and Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP.

Esta received her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts degrees from New York University, where she was a University Scholar and graduated with honors.

Esta is admitted to practice law in the State of New York. She is a member of the New York Bar Association and on the Board of  Long Island Real Estate Group Women’s Committee. Esta has served as a mentor to college students seeking professional careers. Esta is an avid fundraiser for the Making Headway Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

Esta lives in Glen Cove East Hills with her husband, Tom Czik, who is also an attorney and has three grown children.