David is a passionate leader whose vision continues to shape the firm’s reputation for success in some of the most consequential cases and development projects in the region. He has cultivated a practice over decades advocating for his clients in land use, zoning, environmental, litigation, and real estate matters.
Representing developers and other clients on a wide variety of projects throughout the New York Metro area, David has secured approvals for residential subdivisions, multi-family buildings, senior living facilities, and shopping centers as well as commercial, industrial, mixed-use projects, and adapted re-use. His zoning and environmental work also involves conducting complex due diligence, drafting legislation, ensuring SEQRA compliance, and securing a multitude of entitlements and municipal permits.
A highly regarded public speaker and zealous advocate, David leads development teams throughout the region and argues cases before State and Federal Courts of all levels throughout New York State – including the New York State Court of Appeals, the State’s highest court. David’s transactional experience includes negotiating and/or closing complex real property transactions, including acquisitions, construction financing, PILOT Agreements, and IDA tax benefit transactions. David has served as an expert in two complex land development litigations.
Honored four times as one of the top 25 attorneys in Westchester County and selected annually for the list of New York Metro SuperLawyers since 2015, David is proud to have an “AV” rating from Martindale and Hubbell. David also takes pride in his community involvement – he was twice elected to the Yorktown Central School District’s Board of Education, selected as a member of the Yorktown Athletic Recreational Commission, served as a Trustee for a nonprofit organization that provides rehabilitation, residential, and vocational assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities; and he chaired or anchored various committees at three different country clubs. Recently, David was asked to chair a special task force in Westchester County to focus on addressing the pressing housing crisis in New York State.
Prior to forming Zarin & Steinmetz in 1997, David was a partner at a leading Westchester County real estate and land development law firm. He began his legal career as an associate at the New York City office of Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler in its Litigation Department.
David received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from American University, Washington College of Law in 1985, where he received the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Advocacy Award. He also received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1982.
