I hired Tracy because her initial phone conversation suggested she was a good communicator. However, since I signed the retainer I was lucky to get an email with a full sentence. She didn't keep me informed of the process and I had to push her to act on my behalf. When we got an offer on our unit, she claimed she never got a deal sheet from my broker until four days later it magically appeared when the buyer's attorney and I started making inquiries. Then leading up to closing, it was a firestorm of last-minute documents I had to sign and overnight to her just so she'll have them in time. At closing, the scatter brained behavior continued when she kept using the wrong stamp on documents and laughed each time at how she did it again. The kicker was when she tried to slip in a 50% up charge for her services at the closing - thankfully she was unsuccessful with that. read more

I had Howard as my attorney for a condo closing in Brooklyn in March 2023. Total pro. Was great every step of the way. Highly recommend, and will 100% use on my next deal! read more

I cannot speak highly enough of this firm. Unlike previous real estate lawyers I've had, Howard made himself intimately aware of the nuances of our specific transaction which gave us great peace of mind, because we knew nothing would fall through the cracks. Howard advocated strongly for us when necessary, and got us a better deal than we had anticipated or even thought possible. His fees definitely paid for themselves. He is also diplomatic and knew when to push and when to move the process along. The office staff are also fantastic. They were patient and accommodating, even when the closing was twice rescheduled. Mostly though, it felt really good to know that we were in highly skilled and competent hands throughout the process. read more

Tracy is an awful, incompetent, unprofessional nasty lawyer and human. If you want your deal to be mishandled and blow up- this is the place to waste your time and money! As seller's attorney she allegedly issued the buyer a contract "meant for someone else", with a clause not in favor of her client. Everyone signed it. When her mistake came to light, she insisted the clause was "not valid", getting really combative and hostile with anyone she could try to point a finger at. She accused the buyer and attorney or being "disgusting" and extorting her seller. She even contacted the buyer's real estate agent, trying to get the agent to agree the clause was not valid, by telling the agent (lying to the agent!) she was participating in fraud, would perjure herself and would ruin her reputation and livelihood. WTF. Tracy also instructed the buyer's bank on cutting checks, which is NOT RIGHT. To add to the unprofessionalism of this firm, during closing Howard chimed in from his nearby desk (he was not part of this closing) to needle the buyer's attorney and bicker with him. A friend happened to mention that they used Tracy for purchase of their home. They said they were not happy with the experience - that she cut corners at every turn. As if the process of purchasing NYC real estate is not fraught enough, this is the place to go to have more BS piled on. read more

Brickner-Makow is a fantastic real estate legal firm. They represented me through a very difficult seller with poor representation. This is my third closing - their level of professionalism, communication and problem solving is unparallelled by any other firm. I have the highest regard for their work. They helped carry through a deal with numerous incidents and seemingly unending complexity. Calm, cool and collected every time: they explained the options and provided guidance to successfully close. Absolutely the best in Brooklyn, if not all of NYC. Side note to the comment "overpriced and condescending." - as a professional services worker myself, I often get annoyed when clients ask me to reduce my rates. The axiom "you get what you pay for" applies here - Brickner-Makow is a top notch firm with decades of experience. Given the expertise they brought to my purchase, their rates were *very* reasonable in comparison to losing a property or making mistakes in the process. Not once were they condescending, even when I had to ask for clarification three times on an issue. I probably could have saved $750 with a less experienced firm, but would have lost the opportunity on a condo we absolutely love and very happy with today. We're in our mid-30s and will likely have a purchase or two again in our future, for us, there is simply no other option than Brickner-Makow. Tracy, Howard and dedicated staff team - thank you!!! read more

Highly client-focused, competent, and professional. I was referred to Brickner Makow by my real estate agent for a condo purchase, and I am very glad to have worked with them. Tracy and team made their end of the process as smooth as could be read more

Howard and his team (associates Morgan and James) did a great job helping us buy and sell condos at the same time. Our purchase was especially complicated and time-confusing as an estate sale, but they stayed focused and determined in helping us navigate the various legal issues, and represented our best interests. Their knowledge of the law and local market is unmatched. Thanks to them we got to where we needed to be! read more

Thanks Howard & Co for such a great time. My wife and I are first time home buyers and knew absolutely zero about purchasing a home and Howard explained everything to me and took care of literally everything. He could have not made it any easier to purchase a home. Thanks Howard, best wishes! read more

Extremely positive experience with Tracy and her team! From our first conversation to our last, Tracy was knowledgeable, professional, and transparent through constant communication. In what could have been a process filled with anxiety, Tracy and her team made selling a townhouse in Brooklyn stress-free. Would absolutely, strongly, recommend Brickner Makow LLP! read more

Tracy Makow was the lawyer my real estate broker recommended when I was in the process of buying a condo in Brooklyn. When I called to employ her as my lawyer, my message was answered quickly and her fee was revealed and requested to promptly be put in the mail. After I sent my check out things took a turn for the terrible. If I had only known what incompetence and utter mismanagement would ensue, I would have found someone else to help me with my due diligence. (As a qualifier, this was not my first property purchased, so I was aware of how long things should take, and what care they should be given and she gave my purchase minimum attention at best.) Not only did she forward me documents without even reading them herself, but her staff kept giving me misinformation and misguidance during the whole process. I was sent items without explanation and was left void of response when I questioned her about said items. If I had not followed up on every detail, and questioned her on every document I would still be waiting to close and I would be paying more money for things that the seller should be responsible for. Needless to say I was very disappointed in her service as well as her responsiveness. I would NOT recommend her to family or friends to use on the purchase of their new home. read more

Nearly an hour late to my closing and agree with the above reviews, condescending the whole way through. They're friends with many brokers and it seems like that's where most of their business comes from - one time referrals and first time buyers that don't know any better. read more

I used Tracy for a *very difficult* real estate transaction. I hired her after letting go of my previous attorney who was unable to make inroads with the seller and close the deal. The time from hiring Tracy to closing was about 6 months and there was a TON of issues with the deal. Tracy worked tirelessly to get it done and I am so glad I found her. She is a very knowledgeable, no-nonsense straight shooter, which I really appreciate. Not only that but she is uber responsive.., I even had her cell number and she got back to me while she was away on vacation etc. Even though my transaction was flat fee, I always felt like it was a priority to her and that she had time for me. Thank you Tracy for all your help and helping me to become a first time homebuyer! read more

happily recommend Howard and Tracy to all my buyer and seller clients. They really take the time to explain every document you are signing at the closing. read more

Howard, Morgan, Cleo and Tracy were fantastic in helping us close on our first condo. We were very involved buyers and they were always responsive, answering all of our questions throughly. They were focused on the details and also very experienced with Brooklyn to understand all the market and players. Straight shooters they also went the extra mile staying late for us when there was a last minute hitch with the bank. I will be sure to use them for all my real estate needs. read more

Tracy Makow was terrific throughout the process of selling our coop. We've been involved with several transfers as a buyer or a seller over the years, and this experience was our best by far with a real estate lawyer. Accessible, clear, well organized, good listener, strong but respectful advocate for our position in negotiations. A friendly, straightforward style. My wife and I recommend Tracy and her office highly. read more

Highly positive experience with this firm. Their team was consistently responsive and professional throughout this entire process. Strongly recommended. read more

We worked with Howard Brickner on the sale of a coop and purchase of condo in Brooklyn. He is an absolute pro with deep knowledge of real estate law as well as the local market and players. He was always available over email or phone, and provided excellent council through out the process and was especially invaluable when some last minute concerns came up. We highly recommend Howard! read more

Tracy Makow and Howard Brickner are incredibly brilliant, caring and professional. We were referred to them to help with a complex real estate transaction where a group of tenants wanted to make an offer for the building in which we live. They spent a ton of time with us just outlining our options, including a seriously amazing plan that previously no lawyer had known about. They followed through on everything, even before we ever paid them a dime. They magically turned out to have an existing relationship with our building's owners and were able to advocate for a fair deal for both sides. They think of everything...and they are really cool, their dynamic has kind of a smart, snappy "His Girl Friday" vibe. Having an hour-long meeting with them was like taking the best graduate course, my husband and I learned so much each time. I literally can't imagine using a different Brooklyn real estate lawyer--I know I'd be getting less than the best. read more

Howard Brickner and Tracy Makow are a great team specializing in Brooklyn real estate. A great combination of knowledge, demeanor, and structure. They'll make what can be a difficult and nerve racking process as smooth as possible. I was a first time buyer and they walked me through and made sure all ducks were in a row. Fairly priced as well. read more

Brickner Makow were terrific! Howard and Tarcy both worked on my closing, making sure we got a great deal, and hand held through the process (our first real estate deal). When the sellers attorney ROYALLY f-ed up (didn't even know she had to order the stock and lease certificate until she showed up at the closing and Howard TOLD her), Howard negotiated a fantastic contract for us, and he really pulled in every favor he could to make sure things went as smoothly as possible. I have great friends who are RE attorneys, but I would still go with Howard and Tracy every time. read more

Tracy was hands-on from start to finish. She was responsive and assertive -- everything I could ask for regarding my co-op purchase. I would highly recommend her to others in need of a real estate attorney and would definitely hire her again. read more

Completely agree with previous comments about being condescending. Just used Howard for a closing late year. All is well till things go wrong. They failed to have a written agreement regarding the closing terms that led to a year long negotiation. Additionally, had to hire someone else to handled the litigation when the whole issue could have been averted in the beginning with a little communication. You need a good attorney when things go wrong, not when things go right... All their business does come from agents for first timers, or people who don't have an attorney they can go to. Live & Learn. read more

Brickner-Makow is hands-down the best. They attentively have seen me through three buy & sell closings in the past 15+ years. The only thing "condescending" I have seen is New City's real estate laws, which Tracy takes time to explain in layman's terms caveats, advantages and potential strategies of your particular & potential individual situation. If "condescending" is telling you things you don't want to hear, ya kinda need to get over it. They're only handing you New York City real estate laws as they exist. If Tracy isn't available (in closing), then Howard is, and vice-versa. There is a lot of hand-holding here, which is especially helpful for first time buyers or sellers. They work well as a team (they're married) like a well-oiled machinge, and each knows what's going on during the excruciating process of the buy & sell end. Their staff is also well informed and are well aware of an urgent / errant issues that need Brickner/Makow's attention. If you have a broker who has recommended them to you, consider yourself lucky to have such a knowledgeable and savvy broker. INot cheap, no: but in this town: you almost always likely get what you pay for. You will not be put off at a later date or time. Matters of urgency are addressed in calm and timely manner. The Brickner/Makow team is just that: a boutique firm team all around who have taken their law school oaths through years of experience. To zealously represent their clients. Seriously: If they weren't my RE attorneys, they'd def. be friends. read more