Meet NYC’s Top Legal & Government Relations Experts
Meet the Team
BRAD GERSTMAN, ESQ. | Managing Partner
With years of professional experience, Brad expertly steers clients through complex legal, legislative, political, and bureaucratic processes that often transcend the bounds of standard scenarios. Utilizing individualized strategies and a nuanced understanding of industry trends, law, governance, and community dynamics, he identifies solutions and fashions them to the advantage of his clients. This has proven especially important for those introducing disruptive technologies or operating within heavily regulated markets.
Brad’s exceptional reputation for building both relationships and coalitions has earned him the respect and support of policy makers. As a result, he has helped to push forward essential legislation for New Yorkers as it pertains to business, advocacy, land use, municipal matters, and education. In addition to serving on several finance committees, he has also been personally selected by prominent members of government to provide campaign guidance and fundraising aid. Most recently, Brad has joined the political action committee Striving For A Better New York, which is supported by NYC Mayor Eric Adams, as an Advisory Board Member.
Recognized throughout New York, Brad has received several awards and accolades including being named to the “2022 Political PR Power 50” list by City and State. He was also a 2020 Honoree of “The Kings of New York Award,” as well as the winner of the “Leadership in Law award” by Long Island Business News in the partners category. His guest articles have been featured in publications including Crain’s New York Business, Long Island Business News, Newsday, and Venture Beat.
Previously, Brad was appointed by the Nassau County Legislature to act as a member of the Board of Directors for the Nassau Health Care Corporation. As Chairman of the Facility Committee, Brad spearheaded a 750-million-dollar makeover of the hospital, clinics, and senior living facility. He was also a member of other committees including Disciplinary Hearing, Governance, Legal & Audit, and Finance. In addition, he served on the Executive Committee for the hospital, and acted as Vice Chair and Board Member of the Long Island Medical Foundation. Upon joining the Executive Board, he became chair of the Redevelopment Committee. In this role he was responsible for overseeing a $100 million makeover of the hospital’s emergency department. Finally, Brad was a Board Member of the Holocaust and Tolerance Center of Nassau County and the Adelphi President’s Council.
Throughout his career Brad has served the special needs community in a variety of roles including Long Island Advocacy Chair for Autism Speaks, one of the nation’s largest autism advocacy organizations, Executive Committee Member and Advocacy Chair on the 2007 Long Island Walk Now for Autism Planning Committee, Chair of the Nassau County Autism Coalition, Counsel for the Long Island Autism Coalition Board, and Member of the Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America. He was also appointed by Governor Paterson through the nomination of Senate majority leader Dean Skelos to the Governor’s Council on Interactive Media and Child Violence and named an honoree at the Child Abuse Prevention Services yearly gala for his work in protecting children. Brad currently acts as Co-founder and Board Member of the Lisa Beth Gerstman Foundation, a family organization that provides summer camp experiences to children with physical and developmental disabilities.
Beyond his work as a lawyer and lobbyist, Brad is proud to also call himself a national best selling author. His first book, What Men Want, was written in conjunction with two of his closest friends, and subsequently published by HarperCollins. At his alma mater Hofstra University, Brad played 4 years of varsity football. In his spare time, Brad enjoys fashion, competitive boxing, and supporting all professional New York sports teams, except for the Jets.
Published articles:
- Crain’s New York Business
- “What Killed a Popular Construction Incentive? Old Fashioned Protectionism”
- “The Danger of Criminalizing Construction Accidents”
- Long Island Business News
- “More CNG Fueling Stations Needed”
- “School Choice: Let’s Start with Brentwood”
- “NY Legislatures Deserve a Pay Raise”
- “A United Voting Bloc”
- Newsday
- “Budget Cuts Will Harm Autistic Kids”
- Venture Beat
- “The Dangers of Being a Disrupter”
Meet the Team
NICOLE EPSTEIN, ESQ. | Partner & Vice President of Government Relations
Utilizing the related worlds of law, government, business, and media, Nicole Epstein Schwartz is committed to fighting for our clients at every level. Specializing in a variety of areas including land use, zoning, construction, department of building matters, education, transportation, health care, and agency law, Nicole is responsible for spearheading advocacy initiatives of all sizes. In doing so she not only publicizes our clients concerns, but also fights to hold necessary actors, be it government or otherwise, accountable for their actions- and her success has proven unparalleled.
Prior to beginning her professional career, Nicole graduated from Stony Brook University magna cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology and was inducted as a lifetime member to Psi Chi, the National Honor Society for Psychology. After graduating from Stony Brook, Nicole received her J.D. from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in 2015. During law school, Nicole worked for Luxottica Group’s IP department, a multinational company, where she negotiated and drafted multi-million-dollar contracts for high-profile public figures.
Most recently, Nicole has been named as one of the most powerful people in Public Relations in City & State’s Political PR Power list (2020-2022) and recognized by the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University as an ‘Outstanding Woman in Law’ (2021). Nicole is also the Chairwoman of the Government Relations Committee for the Nassau County Bar Association.
Meet the Team
MAX WEPRIN | Director of Government Relations
With a wealth of experience in public service and government operations, Max Weprin is uniquely equipped to address the evolving challenges facing every day New Yorkers. As Director of Government Relations, he is responsible for heading the firm’s strategic advocacy efforts, enhancing client engagement, and driving initiatives to shape public policy. Fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, he utilizes his unique combination of experience, political know-how, and positive community relationships, to garner meaningful results for our clients.
Having held multiple roles within the government sector, Max is no stranger to the concept of collaboration. Most recently, he served as Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison in the office of NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. In this position, he helped to advance legislative priorities and address critical constituent concerns by working alongside government partners and stakeholders at the city, state, and federal levels.
Previously, he worked with the Queens Borough President’s Office, where he was similarly tasked with responding to the concerns of constituents and promoting equitable development throughout the borough. This too required a combination of meaningful collaboration with local leaders, elected officials, and government agencies. Having held multiple roles while working in the Borough President’s Office, Max also spent time managing senior services and community engagement efforts, which helped to further strengthen his understanding of constituent needs.
Beyond his robust network and history of relationship building, Max is adept in policy analysis and intergovernmental affairs, making him a valuable asset to those he is advocating for. It is his goal to provide each and every client with the strategies and solutions needed to succeed.
Max is a graduate of City University of New York Queens College where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Meet the Team
NINA MARINARO, ESQ. | Senior Policy Analyst
Nina Marinaro is a licensed attorney with over a decade of professional experience working in the State of New York.
Ms. Marinaro began her legal career focusing on environmental law. Interning at both the US EPA & NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation throughout law school, she worked on projects concerning both environmental policy & cannabis law.
Eventually, Nina shifted her focus to real estate law and development. During that time, she was responsible for drafting legislation that has since been codified into NYS law. In addition, she is also proud to have drafted a winning complaint against the NYC Dept. of Buildings in a long-shot Article 78 proceeding for a prominent client.
Today, Nina is committed to supporting our clients here at Gerstman PLLC.
Meet the Team
NICOLE “Nikki” FORTNER | Senior Government Relations Associate
With over a decade of experience implementing government-funded healthcare and workforce development programs throughout New York City, Nicole offers clients a diverse understanding of both the government and private sectors. Her successful track record is especially meaningful as it relates to the lifecycle of government funding.
Prior to joining Gerstman PLLC, Nicole was appointed to serve as Senior Practice Engagement Manager by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration at the New York City Mental Health Service Corps (MHSC), a workforce development program launched as part of the city’s public health initiative. Throughout her tenure there, she implemented and improved workflows to ensure patient access to mental health services.
Passionate about giving back to underserved communities, Nicole has worked as an advocate between government departments including the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), Department of Homeless Services (DHS), and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH), service providers, and state programs to make housing, mental health services, and employment accessible. Additionally, she worked cross-functionally between the DOHMH and other city agencies to effectively resolve service barriers for thousands of New Yorkers. Nicole’s commitment to serving her community through government-funded, non-profit work emphasizing workforce programs and affordable housing has helped her to establish strong ties and relationships across local government and community sectors.
Nicole graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. In 2021, she was appointed to the University of Iowa Political Science Advisory Board. She currently resides in Manhattan with her partner, Jonathan, and their young son.
Meet the Team
OLIVER ZHEN GRAF | Senior Associate
Oliver Zhen Graf is a Senior Associate at Gerstman PLLC.
Prior to joining the team Oliver worked as a paralegal for a large firm in Manhattan. In this role he supported attorneys in international intellectual property litigation and prosecution by helping to prepare and execute legal documents.
In addition, he also interned in a variety of politically focused roles. This experience includes working for Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, conducting research at a political risk and public affairs consultancy group, assisting in event management at The McCain Institute in Washington D.C., and interning with a Malaysian NGO created to provide shelter, education, and protection for impoverished and at-risk Malaysian children.
Oliver is a graduate of New York University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He is conversationally proficient in Mandarin, Malay, and Indonesian, as well as familiar with both Arabic and Spanish.
Meet the Team
PETER MCGOWEN | Government Relations Associate
Meet the Team
CATHERINNE ANGEL | Client Operations
Catherinne Angel is a paralegal with years of experience working in a variety of environments.
In addition to drafting and filing all necessary documentation for the firm, Catherinne is also responsible for managing the day to day operations of the office. As Office Manager, she is an essential advocate for our clients and regularly keeps each apprised of updates regarding their case or organization.
Catherinne is a graduate of St. John’s University. She is fluent in Spanish and conversational Portuguese.
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