From Courtroom to Flyfish Club: Shaun Pappas, Partner at Starr Associates Champions Ethical Dealmaking

From Courtroom to Flyfish Club: Shaun Pappas, Partner at Starr Associates Champions Ethical Dealmaking

by Traded Media

In the heart of New York’s towering skyline and exclusive hospitality scene, Shaun Pappas, Partner at Starr Associates, melds legal precision with a collaborative spirit. Forged in the fast‑paced world working with leading development firms like Tishman Speyer and JDS Development, Pappas has become the go‑to counsel for transformative projects—from private membership havens like Flyfish Club to landmark office‑to‑residential conversions.

A Hands‑On Approach to Real Estate Law
Pappas’s journey began as a law student seeking a practice that matched his strengths: hands‑on, collaborative, and outcome‑driven. Drawn to the tangible impact of real estate transactions, he thrived in negotiating deals that move cities forward rather than litigating at odds. “It’s about getting buyers and sellers across the finish line together,” he explains, a philosophy that underpins every contract he crafts.

Embracing Experiential Hospitality
When Flyfish Club sought to elevate New York’s private dining scene, Pappas seized the opportunity. Brought in early by a hospitality visionary, he navigated complex real estate and licensing hurdles to launch what’s now one of the city’s most talked‑about membership clubs. His insight? “If you’re charging for exclusivity, the experience—and especially the food—must be unrivaled.” Today, Flyfish’s serene space and top‑tier cuisine stand as a testament to his seamless legal guidance.

“I didn’t inherit this—I earned it,” Pappas reflects on joining a boutique firm years ago. Unlike legacy players who rely on pedigree, his generation combines deep historical knowledge with proactive innovation. By anticipating market trends—be it experiential venues or NFTs as membership tokens—he keeps clients ahead of the curve, proving that value is created by adaptability as much as tradition.

Legacy Built on Ethics
For Pappas, the ultimate mark left on New York is one of integrity. Over 23 years, his firm has cultivated a reputation where “clients call on me whether they’re friend or foe.” He rejects roadblocks, viewing lawyers as stewards who illuminate risks without stalling progress. “My role isn’t to decide for clients but to equip them with the knowledge to decide,” he says, a credo that turns complex transactions into collaborative triumphs.

Flyfish Club Spotlight
As lead counsel, Pappas guided Flyfish Club through every phase—from site acquisition to membership structuring. He adopted cutting-edge digital strategies, helping to tokenize memberships via NFTs to differentiate the club in a crowded market. This forward-thinking maneuver not only generated buzz but also laid the groundwork for the intersection of hospitality and digital assets.

Intimate, Tailored Project Support
What sets Pappas apart is its “first‑in, last‑out” commitment: attorneys who start on a deal stay through the entire process, from openings to closings. He relishes watching a site evolve from an empty lot to a vibrant community hub, most memorably guiding the massive office‑to‑residential conversion at One Wall Street. Such deep involvement requires a thorough understanding of every aspect of a project, from unit orientation to amenity layouts, ensuring regulatory and contractual compliance at every stage.

A Defining Career Pivot
Graduating amid the 2008 crisis, Pappas’s path to Starr Associates reshaped his trajectory. Facing a scarcity of corporate roles, he turned to litigation before joining a nimble boutique firm. There, he transitioned to transactions, ultimately earning equity and leadership. “I never set out to run a business,” he admits, “but investing in this firm proved to be the best decision of my career.”

Lessons from High‑Stakes Developers
Whether negotiating with generational real estate dynasties or first‑time developers, Pappas learned one constant: know your project better than anyone. From bedroom counts to exposure angles, his clients’ meticulous focus inspired his own practice. “Their attention to detail is the trust currency—they’ve earned their backers’ confidence, and so must we.”

 

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TESTIMONIALS

  • Arthur Stern
    Cogswell Realty

    Our team has had the pleasure of working with Starr Associates on our project at 150 Rivington Street.  The entire Starr team was a tremendous asset to the success of our project.   Through very challenging times, Starr Associates came through time and time again.  It is an honor to work with everyone at Starr!

  • Ian Schrager
    Ian Schrager Company

    I have known Allan Starr for many years and worked with him on many projects.  He has always exceeded my expectations.  He not only knows the ins and outs of the law, but knows how to make the whole process easy and quick.   I’ve found him to possess an incredibly astute legal mind, combined with a common sense approach that always accomplishes my goals.  He’s not only a gentleman and a friend, but a brilliant lawyer.

     

  • Emily Beare
    CORE

    It has been an absolute pleasure working with Allan Starr and Samantha Sheeber over the past twelve years. They are not only the utmost professionals, but also wonderful people who I have grown to love like family. I trust them with all of my new development projects and private clients, and we support each other in our business and personal lives. Starr Associates LLP has always been there for me and my clients and I would recommend them as highly as I recommend anyone.

  • Andrew Berkman, Counsel
    Milstein Properties

    Allan and I have worked together for decades; along the way, I have worked with Samantha Sheeber, Andrea Roschelle, John Rodriguez and Erica Starr and have always been pleased with their quick and accurate responses. They have worked with us on closings (with great and efficient results), restatements of stale plans, amendments and other assorted AG requirements, always on a timely and cost-effective basis.

  • David Penick, Vice President
    Hines

    “Working with Starr has been great on three condo projects in Manhattan to date.  The accessibility and direct attention of the partners is unsurpassed.  Allan and Sam have the interests of the owner at heart and make every effort to protect our interests in a responsible and defensible manner.  Their practical approach and deep knowledge of the offering plan process and requirements of the AG office combine to make a highly effective and efficient package.  At the associate level they have good support as well.  The closing office has to be the best in NY – never a failed closing in 15 years.  We are repeat customers and will be going forward.”

  • James Lansill, Senior Managing Director
    Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group

    “Samantha Sheeber is a partner in making transactions successful. She’s resourceful, respected, smart, funny as hell, and is swift to constantly embarrass us (and clients) because she sees the end while we all muddle in the middle. She saves time. She is selfless and fast and conscientious. She’s loyal to the notion of selflessly getting stuff done. She cultivates great talent. And she makes the process fun, even when she is mad at us for asking the same impossible question 11 times hoping for a new result (a solution for which — by the way — she often discovers).”

  • Ben Shaoul
    President, Magnum Real Estate Group

    “As an active developer in New York City, Magnum Real Estate Group is proud to have partnered with Starr Associates, LLP as our legal counsel in 5 significant projects valued at approximately $800 million.  Over the last 5 years, Starr has provided us with exceptional advice on condominium Offering Plans and related transactions. Partner Samantha Sheeber, Esq. and her team have professionally guided us, and provided creative and effective solutions when needed.”

  • Susan DeFranca, President & CEO
    Douglas Elliman Development Marketing

    “I have had the fortunate opportunity, over the past 16 years, to work with Allan Starr and Samantha Sheeber who I consider to be experts in the field of real estate law.  They, together with their team, have a deep understanding of Attorney General Offering Plan registrations and continually seek to identify creative solutions to complicated issues.  Their level of integrity and commitment are unwavering no matter how large or small a project. I completely endorse Starr Associates LLP and look forward to our mutual continued success.”

  • Michael Rudder
    Rudder Property Group

    “Starr Associates’ specialty in the creation and representation of condominiums is unmatched. Their knowledge, experience and professionalism in the office condominium sector is best-in-class. Starr Associates’ hard work and expertise has been critical to the success of our firm’s office condominium projects.”

  • Charles Bendit
    Co-CEO Taconic Investment Partners LLC

    “Starr Associates have been our condominium attorneys for many years. Their counsel goes well beyond just drafting the condominium documents, which of course they do extremely well. They also represent us and our brand with condominium unit purchasers, and with our lenders and partners on condominium related matters. We have always found Starr’s attorneys to be professional, responsive and cost-conscious.”

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