Stephen Gaines has over 25 years experience as a real estate attorney with a specialty in cooperative, condominium and homeowner’s association law. Steve has represented numerous coop, condo and HOA boards over the years, as well as real estate developers in the preparation of offering plans and amendments. He formerly served as an Assistant Attorney General and Section Chief in the Real Estate Financing Bureau of the Office of the Attorney General which regulates coop/condo/HOA filings in New York and has regularly represented clients appearing before this agency. Steve is currently a member of the Committee on Cooperative and Condominium Law of the New York State Bar Association and a former member of a similar committee affiliated with the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. His practice also includes commercial sales and acquisitions (including Section 1031 tax-free exchanges), construction agreements and leasing for both landlords and tenants. Finally, Steve also has an active residential practice representing purchasers and sellers of condos, coops and single family homes, including all related due diligence in connection with such transactions.