NEW YORK, NY
David and wife Cheryl celebrate their daughter’s wedding.
MY NEW YORK STORY Y. DAVID SCHARF By David A. Porter
trial lawyer and litigator at Morrison Cohen LLP, Y. David Scharf is the “go-to” real estate attorney for high-profile clients, including the President, whom he represented prior to Mr. Trump’s presidency. Outside the office, and the courtroom, David’s days are about faith, family, and philanthropy, and if he isn’t in court you’ll probably find him on the court: “Tennis has been a huge part of my life since I was six-years-old,” he says. What drew you to Real Estate law? I was hired for my second job out of law school to work on the break-up of a family real estate empire. It was very emotional, with a lot at stake for the litigants, and I loved being in the fray. New York is all about real estate, and its real estate people who play hard and for keeps. What is a typical day for you? My mornings start around 5:30 when I review and send emails. I time my morning prayers to sunrise for a daily dose of thankfulness for my family, for my health and my good fortune, then I pray for others. By 7 am it’s time to get the kids up, fed, and out to school. Mornings have always been my time with my children. I have five, and two are still at home. Once the kids are off to school, I’m off to court or to the office, where things are never typical and always challenging. I am blessed to work with really talented people who share my work ethic and my desire to excel. Once I get home I try to get some family time, exercise, and respond to emails. I usually get to sleep by 1 am, except on Fridays, when I shut everything down at sunset, have family dinner and get a decent night’s sleep. 102 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | MAY 2018
Y. David Scharf