As a founding partner of Gahagan, Lando & Wagner, LLP, Brett has over a decade of experience working on Real Estate transactions focusing primarily on Purchaser and Seller representation in the purchase and sale of homes, condominiums and cooperative apartments in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, New York City and throughout the State of Connecticut. Brett has also represented multiple major mortgage lenders in residential closings. She has extensive experience in the drafting and negotiation of residential contracts of sale, leases and financing agreements. Brett is extremely attentive to her clients and prides herself in her streamlined communication, prompt response time, access and dedicated consultation throughout the process for each client. She understands that in this market quick turn times and responsiveness to all parties in a transaction is key to obtaining and keeping a real estate deal alive.
In addition, Brett is committed to using her experience to help educate others and regularly speaks about Real Estate law trends, Contracts and first-time homebuyer education, as well as other real estate law matters to residential real estate brokerage offices and clients. She was a featured panel presenter for the New York State Bar Association live CLE seminar on the Purchase and Sale of Homes.
Brett works closely with many of the major residential real estate brokerage firms throughout New York and Connecticut having successfully closed over 600+ transactions for clients of Redfin Real Estate alone as well as many other major real estate firms such as Houlihan Lawrence, Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, Howard Hanna Rand Realty and Compass.
Prior to opening her practice, starting in 2001 Brett worked as a full-time real estate paralegal in Scarsdale, New York handling closings during the day, while attending Pace Law School in the evenings to secure her Juris Doctor degree in Law. She worked as a full-time associate at the firm in the banking, real estate, probate and litigation departments before leaving to open her own practice in 2007.
Brett further explains, “I enjoy working with and helping my clients. As a lawyer you can fight for their interests and be rewarded for your victories with a happy client. I began to envision how law could enable me to help people while being my own boss, compassionately serving clients, while having flexibility between the work life balance. Understanding the background operations as a paralegal helped groom me to be a better lawyer.”
Outside of work, Brett enjoys cooking, running, traveling, watching her son’s travel soccer games and her daughter’s competitive dance performances. As an active volunteer, Brett has been involved with local non-profit organizations such as Feeding Westchester and frequently donates, sponsors and raises funds for the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors.
Originally a “Jersey Boy” college brought me to this side of the Hudson River and made me a New Yorker. I was extremely blessed to attend Fordham University on a Soccer Scholarship where I played D-1 soccer for the Rams and majored in Political Science and Communications.
Academics taught me how to think and how do so creatively. Athletics taught me about teamwork and how everyone on a team plays a critical role in collectively achieving objectives and goals. Collectively, along with a lot of hard work, became my foundation for both life and law.
After graduating from college, it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream, it was time to attend law school. I decided to attend Pace Law School as it offered a night program which allowed me to work full time and attend law school at night. While working my way through law school, I was able to gain valuable work experience. I was immediately drawn to protecting legal rights and the best interests of clients.
Everything about Real Estate Law fascinated me. Next step was starting my own law firm.
Home ownership is an American dream. My mission from day one was to utilize my experience and expertise to make sure the process of purchasing or selling real estate would be a memorable one for my clients.
Purchasers could be just starting out or looking to relocate after accepting a new job. Sellers might be looking to downsize or even retire. Client goals and objectives present different challenges and obstacles. I listen to my clients, I understand their goals and objectives and guide them accordingly.
We operate our practice in a very personal way. We are perhaps most well-known for representing some of the biggest lenders in the country. We are also well respected throughout the real estate community for representing all looking to achieve the American dream. A client once told me:
“You guys are a big-time law firm with a boutique feel.”
The ultimate goal is to be recognized this way. Every single email, every phone call, and every client client concern matters to Brett, myself and our staff. Every single day is an opportunity to set a new standard of overachievement for our clients. That is our culture.
We embrace the reputation of being the best real estate law firm. We will always work harder than anyone else in the industry and will continue to deliver excellence for our clients.
“Peter set a standard. Not only to be impeccable with your work and with your client but first and foremost be an impeccable human.” -Lee Wagner
Peter Gahagan, one of our founding partners, passed away in 2023. His name continues to adorn Gahagan, Lando & Wagner as his work ethic, class, humor, humanity, and service orientation are fused into the DNA of this partnership. Admitted to the bar in 1971, Peter’s 5+ decades of legal experience are foundational to this practice’s knowledge and more importantly, its culture.
In addition to the law, Peter had good insights about people. He was committed to serving, nurturing, and mentoring his family, clients, and colleagues.
“He was the salt of the earth, a true gentleman and an excellent attorney and mentor.” – Brett Lando
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