Biography
David de Barros helps clients bring ambitious real estate and development projects to life. From large-scale property transactions to sophisticated construction and development agreements, David works alongside nonprofit organizations and religious institutions to navigate the legal complexities of operating a not-for-profit or religious organizations and participate in transformative projects. His practice is grounded in practical problem-solving and strategic planning, allowing clients to move complex developments forward with confidence while balancing risk, regulatory requirements, and long-term organizational goals.
Overview
David de Barros is a Partner and a member of the firm’s Not-for-Profit & Religious Organizations and Real Estate practice groups. His practice focuses on complex, large-scale real estate development transactions, construction matters, and legal issues affecting nonprofit and religious organizations throughout New York.
David counsels clients on a wide range of sophisticated real estate and development matters, including:
- Purchases and sales of property
- Long-term ground leases and commercial leases
- Joint venture arrangements
- Construction and development agreements
- Design and consultant agreements
- Real estate development transactions
- Nonprofit and religious corporation approvals
His work combines transactional, regulatory, and dispute-resolution experience to help clients manage risk and successfully navigate complex development projects.
Real Estate Development and Transactions
As part of his practice, David advises clients in all aspects of sophisticated real estate development transactions involving nonprofit and religious properties.
His real estate practice includes:
- Property acquisitions and sales
- Long-term leases
- Ground leases
- Joint venture transactions
- Construction and development agreements
- Design and consultant agreements
David regularly works with nonprofit corporations and religious corporations, evaluating and entering into complex real estate transactions throughout New York.
Nonprofit and Religious Organization Representation
David regularly advises institutions on the legal and regulatory requirements associated with operating not-for-profit corporations and religious organizations, with a particular focus on entities participating in sophisticated real estate transactions.
He assists clients on governance and regulatory compliance matters, including the statutory approval process required under New York law for the sale and disposition of nonprofit-owned real property, including:
- Applications to the Office of the New York State Attorney General
- Proceedings before the Supreme Court of the State of New York
His work includes matters governed by:
- Not-For-Profit Corporation Law Sections 510, 511, and 511-a
- Religious Corporations Law Sections 12 and 18
David works closely with nonprofit and religious institutions to help ensure the entity is able to enter into transactions that align with both regulatory requirements and organizational goals.
Construction
As a complement to his corporate governance and transactional practice, David has experience advising clients on mitigating claims and construction disputes.
His prior experience includes handling disputes in:
- Federal courts
- State courts
- Alternative dispute resolution tribunals
This background provides David with additional insight into construction risk management, project oversight, and dispute prevention strategies throughout the development process.
Legal and Government Experience
While earning his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, David gained experience through several legal and governmental positions, including:
- Judicial Intern, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division – First Department
- Law Clerk, United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
- Janet D. Steiger Fellow, Office of the New York State Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection
These experiences contributed to his background in litigation, investigations, regulatory matters, and governmental procedures.
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
- B.A., Boston College, Political Science
- Minor concentrations in History and International Studies
Publications & Presentations
Publications
- New York Religious Corporations: When Is Closing the Right Choice? New York Law Journal (Law.com), October 29, 2025. Read here →
Presentations
- January 13, 2026 – Webinar: Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- November 20, 2025 – Interchurch Center Conference: Thinking about Your Legacy:
Plans of Dissolution - January 16, 2025 – Webinar: Requirements of the Book of Discipline: Facility Use Agreements
- October 30, 2024 – Interchurch Center Conference: Thinking about Your Legacy: Plans of Dissolution
- November 8, 2023 – Interchurch Center Conference: Fiduciary Obligations of Board Members
- August 23, 2023 – Webinar: What You Should Consider Before Consenting to Sales, Leases and Other Dispositions of Church Property
- May 12, 2022 – Webinar: Protecting Religious Property Workshop: Facility Use Agreements
- February 15, 2022 – Webinar: What Trustees Should Know About the Sale, Lease, and Other Dispositions of Church Property
- March 23, 2021 – Webinar: NY Attorney General & Supreme Court Approval: What Not-for-Profit & Religious Corporations Need to Know
- September 15, 2020 – Webinar: Use & Occupancy Agreements & Lease Agreements: What Not-for-Profit And Religious Corporations Need to Know
- November 14, 2019 – Interchurch Center Conference: Mission Driven Development™ Workshop: Deal Structures & Transactional Documents
- November 8, 2018 – Interchurch Center Conference: Construction Oversight & Accountability Panel