Overview
Diana J. Lee focuses her practice on transactional real estate matters, bringing a unique perspective shaped by her experience in both the private and public sectors. She has represented a broad range of clients, including private developers and nonprofit organizations, such as major social service agencies and health care institutions.
Diana’s work includes the conversion of large-scale rental properties into cooperative or condominium ownership and the representation of sponsors in the sale of unsold units. She also advises developers and property owners on new construction condominium projects, offering strategic guidance from planning through closing.
With extensive experience working with nonprofit corporations in connection with their development projects, she provides thoughtful legal counsel for clients, particularly those involving public financing programs that require coordination with multiple city and state agencies. Her representation in these matters often includes acquisitions, leasing and ground leasing, construction contracts, and navigating regulatory frameworks. Diana regularly advises nonprofit health care providers and social service agencies engaged in the development of affordable, senior, and supportive housing.
Diana is recognized for a practical approach to real estate deals, so her clients rely on her ability to move complex projects forward while remaining grounded in mission-focused objectives and long-term organizational goals.
Credentials
Education
- New York University School of Law (J.D.)
- Queens College of the City University of New York, magna cum laude
- Instrumental in developing financing programs for primary care facilities through legislative action and representing a lender in their various programs, including tax-exempt bond financings.
- Served as developer’s counsel on affordable, senior, and supportive housing projects, with experience in tax abatement, inclusionary housing, and other city and state programs.
- Served as not-for-profit landowner’s counsel in removing restrictions from prior transactions, negotiating an option to purchase adjacent property, ground leasing site, to a developer for development of a market rate and affordable housing project, which will include a condominium unit to serve as headquarters for the not-for-profit.
- The Brooklyn Charter School, Trustee
- The First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn
- YWCA Brooklyn, Former Co-Chair; Former Director
- Nonprofit Finance Fund, Former Board Member
- Asian Americans for Equality, Former Board Member
- Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Founding and Former Board Member
- Legal Services NYC, Top 25 Pro Bono Advocates, 2015