Meet NYC’s Top Legal & Government Relations Experts
Meet the Team
BRAD GERSTMAN, ESQ. | Managing Partner
Brad Gerstman is a New York attorney, lobbyist, and political strategist with more than two decades of experience representing businesses, developers, institutions, industry associations, and advocacy organizations navigating complex government matters.
His practice focuses on solving difficult problems where politics, law, and government power intersect. Clients turn to Brad when projects face regulatory obstacles, political opposition, legislative challenges, or sensitive government scrutiny.
Brad’s work frequently involves high-stakes matters where business interests intersect with government authority and political decision-making. He has advised clients navigating regulatory scrutiny, politically sensitive projects, legislative challenges, and complex agency matters where outcomes are often influenced as much by government process and political dynamics as by legal considerations.
Before entering private practice, Brad served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx, where he prosecuted criminal cases and gained extensive experience conducting investigations, evaluating evidence, and presenting cases in court. That prosecutorial background provides a unique perspective when representing clients facing government investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, or politically sensitive matters.
Over the course of his career, Brad has advised clients on matters involving:
- Government investigations and regulatory enforcement
- Politically sensitive development and business matters
- Legislative and policy initiatives
- Regulatory disputes involving city and state agencies
- Complex matters requiring engagement with elected officials and government leadership
Brad works closely with clients to develop strategic approaches that move projects forward, resolve government challenges, and protect their interests within New York’s complex political and regulatory landscape.
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
DYLAN SIEGMANN | Associate
Prior to joining Gerstman PLLC, Dylan gained experience across public affairs, advocacy, and political campaigns. He most recently served as an intern with Neptune Ops, a digital advocacy firm.
In addition, he interned at the National Restaurant Association in Washington, D.C., where he supported federal lobbying efforts and conducted legislative research on restaurant industry policy issues. He also worked on a New York State Senate campaign, supporting voter outreach efforts and event coordination.
Dylan is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with a bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics.
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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