Edward A. Mermelstein (born c. 1967) is a Russian-American real estate attorney, broker and developer based in New York City and a founder of the law firm, Edward A. Mermelstein & Associates, which merged to form Rheem Bell & Mermelstein, LLP, for whom he is a partner. He was born in Ukraine[1] and emigrated to the United States in 1976.[2]
Mermelstein graduated from the Thomas Cooley Law School and in 1995, founded his firm, which specializes in Eastern European clients with offices in New York and Moscow.[3]. The New York Observer named Mermelstein as one of the top ten "Lawyers You Call" in New York real estate, saying he was one of the "few real estate attorneys to successfully grow and sustain what could fairly be described as a global boutique firm" and cited his ability to speak four languages and representing an "eclectic international clientele" for whom he closed deals at the 50 Central Park West condominiums.[4]
Mermelstein arranged about 300 deals for buyers from the former Soviet Union in the last 2 years,[5] and as of January 2010, he had represented buyers of more than two dozen buyers for apartments at the Plaza Hotel and 15 Central Park West.[6]
In April 2010, he merged his Edward A. Mermelstein & Associates firm with Uel Rheem and Christine Bell to form Rheem Bell & Mermelstein.[7]
He has been described as an "All Star attorney", [8] and as a lawyer, broker and developer, a certified triple threat in the real estate world. [9]
Mermelstein is the U.S. director of The Link of Times, a foundation set up by Victor Vekselberg that searches for and returns lost artifacts to Russia,[10] and sits on the boards of the Russian-American Jewish Experience, Manhattan Youth Ballet and United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York.