Boutique firm adds seven new attorneys

Boutique real estate law firm Romer Debbas signed seven attorneys from the shuttered Hofheimer Gartlir & Gross, including adding three new partners, last month.

The expansion almost doubles the size of Romer Debbas, which was founded in 2011, and significantly enhances its base of commercial real estate experience.

New partner Sharon Zimmer is representing United Cerebral Palsy in the $135 million sale of its Gramercy Park building at 122 East 23 Street, a deal slated to close in early August.

Louis Sherman and Peter Reiter also joined the firm as partners. Robert Howard and Suzanne Wismer joined the firm as counsel. Arthur Michaelson and Jules Levy are of counsel.

Hofheimer Gartlir closed in August after 135 years. The Manhattan firm counted M&T Bank, E*Trade Financial Corp. and the late developer Aaron Diamond among its clients.

Among other recent transactions, Romer Debbas represented the seller of 55 Grove Street, a renovated two-story prewar mixed-use building in Greenwich Village, which fetched $9.1 million from Belma Realty Corp., in June.

Managing Partner Michael Romer said the expansion will help solidify the firm’s position in the industry by enabling it to focus on every aspect of commercial and residential real estate.

“It expands our clientele base and expertise in the real estate world,” added Pierre Debbas, managing partner.