
Rafael F. Pignataro
Practices & Industries
Bar Associations
- Bar Association of Erie County (NY)
- Erie County Bar Association (PA)
Admissions
- New York
- Pennsylvania
Education
B.S., with distinction, Cornell University
M.B.A., with distinction, University at Buffalo School of Management
J.D., magna cum laude, SUNY Buffalo Law School
Ralph focuses his practice on commercial real estate, finance, and other business transactional matters. He represents clients in large-scale development projects, including sports facility leasing and development, construction law matters, as well as public and private buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and developers in other real estate and corporate matters, including the finance and/or purchase of retail, industrial, and office space; residential developments; and other investment properties and 1031 Exchanges.
Ralph also has significant experience in complex liquor license and hospitality-related matters, regularly representing owners of bars and restaurants in acquisitions, leasing and alcoholic beverage applications with the New York State Liquor Authority.
Ralph started his career at Hodgson Russ, where he participated in the summer associate program and spent several years as an associate. Ralph then served as in-house counsel for a large, publicly-traded medical device company, a local tech-startup company, as well as a privately-held logistics company before returning to Hodgson Russ.
Honors
- Buffalo Business First’s 30 Under Thirty Award, 2015.
- Leadership Buffalo Class of 2015 Rising Leaders Program.
Experience
- Buffalo Sabres’ HARBORCENTER Project
- Construction and Permanent Loans From Institutional and EB-5 Lenders for Hospitality Campus
- Counsel to Corvias, a National Developer of Military & Student Housing, in Conjunction With Projects in Massachusetts, Alabama, New York & Georgia
- Counsel to Developers and Local Businesses for Land Use and Zoning Issues
- Counsel to Hospitality Clients on All Aspects of New York State Liquor Licensing
- Ellicottville, NY, Ski Resort Subdivision Land Purchase
- Key Center Condominium Formation & Lease to IBM
- Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center Development & Construction
- Multiple Wind Energy Projects in Western New York
- Properly Structured 1031 Exchange Helps Client Defer Capital Gains Taxes
- Representation of Lumber Company in Multiple Acquisitions Per Year
- Securing Tax Benefits for Real Estate Client
In the News
- The Street, January 7, 2016
- Firms Hiring Local Talent, Thanks to UB LawBuffalo Business First, July 11, 2014
Press Releases
- Press Release, May 7, 2015
- Press Release, January 21, 2015
- Press Release, February 7, 2014
Community & Pro Bono
- Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund, Board of Directors