In New York real estate, a deal can fall apart with very little warning. A missed detail in a contract, an unexpected lien, or a vague response from a co-op board can delay a sale or cost someone the dream home they’ve worked hard for. For Michael Moshan, attorney and longtime solo practitioner, helping clients avoid those costly setbacks is what his work is all about.
Based in Irvington, New York, Moshan has spent nearly 20 years representing buyers and sellers across the five boroughs and surrounding counties. Each deal goes through him directly. He takes calls, reviews each document, and manages relationships with brokers, lenders, underwriters, and board attorneys.
“Real estate law demands you be both fast and right—every time,” he said. “I maintain detailed checklists, double-review all documents, and stay closely looped in with every player involved.”
While larger firms often delegate those tasks to junior staff, Moshan prides himself on staying involved in every step. Though he works independently, he’s never working alone.
Over the years, he’s built a strong support network that includes brokers, bankers, title experts, managing agents, inspectors, underwriters, and fellow attorneys. When a title search needs rushing, a zoning detail needs clarification, or a board’s unspoken rules come into play, he knows exactly who to call.
By combining deep experience with personal attention, Moshan continues to be a trusted guide in New York real estate.
Acting Fast When Deals Are on the Line
In New York’s fast-moving real estate market, responsiveness can often make or break a deal. Just days before closing, one couple turned to Moshan after their lender unexpectedly pulled funding due to a title issue that had not been flagged earlier. Their previous attorney wasn’t giving them any answers and time was running out.
Moshan stepped in, reviewed the file, and called the title company directly.
“I discovered the problem was tied to an old lien that had been improperly released years earlier,” he said.
After correcting the records and reissuing the title report, the closing moved forward as scheduled. The couple later said it felt like someone had finally “stepped into the ring” for them.
“That moment crystallized what I aim to do in every case: offer not just legal clarity but real peace of mind,” he said.
Knowing the Rules in Every Region
Moshan works with clients across New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and the surrounding areas. Each region brings its own set of legal challenges, and part of his job is anticipating what issues are most likely to arise based on location and property type.
In suburban transactions, especially in places like Westchester, Moshan has addressed title complications such as shared driveways and expired variances that were never properly recorded.
City transactions, especially in co-op buildings, involve a different kind of risk. Buyers need to prepare for detailed board applications, strict financial requirements, and house rules that can restrict everything from renovations to subletting. Even with strong qualifications, approval isn’t guaranteed.
“City co-ops can be opaque and highly subjective,” he said. “The board has tremendous discretion, and understanding the building’s financials, house rules, and approval process becomes crucial.”
Whether a deal involves boundary lines or board interviews, Moshan tailors his advice to the specific legal and logistical challenges of each deal.
Never Just a Number
Clients who work with Michael Moshan—lawyer and advisor—know exactly who is handling their transaction. Instead of handing off the work to someone else, he takes every call, answers every question, and responds to every update himself from the moment a deal begins.
That level of involvement is one reason clients return for future closings or refer their friends and family. When a lender asks for last-minute paperwork or a co-op board needs clarification, there’s no delay waiting for a callback, because he’s already in the loop.
Being hands-on also gives clients space to ask better questions and feel more confident throughout the process. Moshan reminds himself that every deal involves real people making major life decisions, and that perspective keeps him grounded.
“Whether someone is buying their first apartment or selling a longtime home, these moments matter,” he said.
Teaching Buyers to Ask Better Questions
Throughout his career, Michael Moshan, attorney at law, has made it a priority to help buyers understand more than just the basics. In addition to his legal practice, he served as the legal expert for “Buying into Brooklyn,” a crash course for first-time homebuyers produced by Brooklyn Based. He has also provided in-depth training for real estate agents on residential contracts and how to identify potential issues early in the process.
“Slow down just enough to understand what you’re signing—but not so much that you miss the opportunity,” he said.
Moshan encourages buyers to ask questions about contract contingencies, tax implications, and what might happen if a deal doesn’t go as planned. In co-op transactions, he helps clients understand how house rules and board discretion may influence their purchase. He also works with clients to prepare for financing challenges, board rejections, and the legal risks that can arise mid-deal.
“A good real estate attorney won’t just push paper,” he said. “They’ll act as your translator, advocate, and calm in the storm.”
Learning Real Estate Law From Every Angle
Before opening his solo practice, Moshan gained experience across nearly every part of the real estate industry. He co-founded a title insurance agency, served as in-house legal counsel for a major New York brokerage, and represented both buyers and lenders at the closing table. He’s also reviewed commercial and residential leases, advised co-op and condo boards, and made real estate investments of his own.
“Founding businesses—whether a title agency, a test prep company, or a regional tennis ladder—teaches you to solve problems, wear multiple hats, and take responsibility for outcomes,” he said.
That experience helps him spot patterns others might miss. He knows which buildings are strict with board approvals, which agents respond quickly, and which lenders are likely to request more documentation upfront.
Recognizing those issues is one thing, but addressing them before they escalate is what really sets him apart. Clients benefit not just from what he knows, but from how he puts that knowledge to use.
“As a solo practitioner, I don’t have layers of staff or bureaucracy,” he said. “That’s by design. My clients speak to me directly, and I guide them personally through the process from start to finish.”
Keeping Law Human-Centered in a Changing Industry
Over the past several years, the way people close on a home has changed. In-person signings have become Zoom calls, and messenger-delivered contracts are now replaced by instant PDF files. Michael Moshan, lawyer and solo advisor, has adapted to those changes, but he hasn’t let the convenience of technology replace what matters most.
“Twenty years ago, wet signatures and in-person closings were the norm. Today, remote closings, e-notarizations, and instant access to due diligence materials are the new standard,” he said.
He welcomes tools that speed up the process, as long as they don’t come at the cost of personal connection. In his view, technology should improve the relationship, not take its place.
“What excites me is how these tools can enhance—not replace—the human side of law,” he said. “When used well, technology reduces delays and errors, allowing attorneys to focus more on strategy and guidance.”
Passions That Inform His Practice
Outside of law, Moshan has a wide range of interests. He co-wrote “Rock the SAT,” a McGraw-Hill study guide that uses original rock songs to help high school students memorize vocabulary they’ll come across on the test. That project reminded him of the importance of clear communication, especially when someone’s trying to understand an unfamiliar topic.
He also plays keyboard regularly and performs with several bands, including The Yacht Lobsters, and Killer Mixtape, his local garage band. Performing live, he says, teaches him to listen carefully, adapt quickly, and collaborate with others.
Tennis has long been a part of his life as well, sharpening his competitive edge and helping him stay calm under pressure. In 2012, Moshan founded the McCarren Tennis Ladder in Brooklyn and ran it for five years. Later, he started the Westchester Tennis Ladders, which he continues to oversee today. In July 2025, he’ll represent the U.S. in the men’s 55+ division at the Maccabi Games in Israel.
“I bring all of that into my law practice,” he said, noting how each of those passions reflects a different part of how he works. “Whether I’m helping a first-time buyer or negotiating a multimillion-dollar sale, I show up as a whole person, not just a technician. I think clients can feel that—and I think it makes a difference.”
At home in Irvington, Moshan lives with his wife and two sons. When he’s not working, he spends time hiking with their dog Ziggy, gardening, watching Premier League Football with his kids, and enjoying live music, good pizza, and the occasional bowl of ramen.
By Chris Bates
