MEET THE FIRM

GERALD K. GEIST

Mr. Geist was admitted to the Bar in July, 1980, having been admitted to the New York State and United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Mr. Geist graduated from Syracuse University in 1976 and received his J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law in 1979. Mr. Geist has worked since 1982 in Westchester County specializing in real estate, corporate, trusts and estates, guardianship, estate planning and trust administration, taxation, municipal and litigation matters. Mr. Geist has been recognized for his services in the field of Trusts and Estates by having been appointed a conservator and a guardian by various Surrogates of the State of New York. Mr. Geist has also served as counsel for the Westchester County Administrator. Mr. Geist has been very active in civic and charitable affairs, having served as a member and President of the Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc., an advocacy group for children in Westchester County, as well as a board member and past President of the American Lung Association of Hudson Valley, Inc. Mr. Geist was elected six times to the position of Councilman for the Town of North Castle. His record as a municipal official has been recognized on a statewide basis, and he also serves as Executive Director of the Association of Towns of the State of New York. Mr. Geist is a member of the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and Westchester County Bar Association.

MATTHEW D. SCHWARZ

Mr. Schwarz earned his Juris Doctor from the Syracuse University College of Law in 1998. Mr. Schwarz serves as counsel to Condominium and Cooperative corporations in connection with shareholder/ owner matters and in litigation with contractors, vendors, owners and tenants. Mr. Schwarz represents landlords and tenants in all aspects of transactional as well as litigation matters. Mr. Schwarz also represents purchasers and sellers of residential and commercial property and acts as counsel to corporations regarding business matters. Mr Schwarz has also served as General Counsel to a privately held food service franchisor with locations throughout the United States and several international countries. Mr Schwarz is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and Connecticut.

RUSS F. JELLINEK

Mr. Jellinek provides counsel to individuals on estate and trust administration and planning issues and has extensive experience in Surrogate’s Court practice in litigated and non-litigated matters. Mr. Jellinek also represents individuals, businesses, commercial institutions and cooperatives in real estate transactions and daily operations. Mr. Jellinek has written several articles for the Westchester Bar Journal on diverse business-related topics and later served as Managing Editor of that publication. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, a former Board Member of the Westchester County Bar Association and past President of the Mamaroneck Harrison Larchmont Bar Association. Mr. Jellinek earned his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Vermont. Mr. Jellinek is admitted to the New York and Connecticut State Bars, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

GAETANO BIZZOCO

Mr. Bizzoco is an associate attorney with Geist Schwarz & Jellinek, PLLC and focuses his practice on real estate transactions and civil litigation. Mr. Bizzoco has years of experience in commercial real estate, residential real estate, cooperative/condominium board representation, landlord and tenant litigation, civil litigation, and estate planning, administration and litigation. Prior to joining our firm, Mr. Bizzoco worked as an associate attorney for the commercial finance and real estate department of Westchester firm representing lenders and clients in commercial real estate and finance transactions. Mr. Bizzoco obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University, Bronx, New York, followed by his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, Florida. Mr. Bizzoco is admitted to practice law in the states of New York and Florida, as well as the U.S. Federal District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. When Mr. Bizzoco is not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife and children, running, cycling and the great outdoors.

ALFRED T. RENAUTO

Mr. Renauto graduated from Syracuse University in 1980 and received his Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School in 1983. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in February, 1984 and began his career in Rochester, NY where he practiced with his father Alfred L. Renauto. Mr. Renauto specializes in all phases of residential real estate including representation of purchasers and sellers of 1-4 family homes, condominiums and cooperatives. He also has extensive experience as counsel for secured lenders, including current representation as closing attorney for Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as well as Webster Bank, N.A. Mr. Renauto also represents individuals and commercial clients in the negotiation and preparation of residential and commercial leases, as well as landlord/tenant proceedings. He opened his solo practice in White Plains in January, 2004 and also currently serves in the capacity as Of Counsel to Geist Schwarz & Jellinek, PLLC.

ADRIENNE E. NOVAK

Ms. Novak is an associate attorney with Geist Schwarz & Jellinek, PLLC, who specializes in landlord-tenant matters, real estate transactions, as well as real estate and corporate litigation. Prior to joining our firm, Ms. Novak began her legal career serving as in-house counsel to a property management company. She then expanded her practice taking on the role of general counsel to a local wine, beer and spirits producer handling contracts and real estate issues. Ms. Novak received her Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University, obtained her Masters of Science from Regis University, and earned her Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in the State of New York. Ms. Novak is also active in political and civic affairs, specifically with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 21, where she serves veterans assisting them with housing issues and financial responsibility. Outside of work, Ms. Novak enjoys spending time with her family, playing softball and taking walks with her dog.

KAITLYN CAPASSO

Ms. Capasso joined Geist Schwarz & Jellinek, PLLC in 2021. During law school, she worked at a law firm gaining experience in a variety of civil practice areas, including real estate, estate planning, and matrimonial. At Geist Schwarz & Jellinek, she focuses on trust and estate work and real estate transactions. She earned her Juris Doctor with a certification in Real Estate Law, cum laude, from Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in 2021. Ms. Capasso earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminal Justice, with a minor in Psychology from Rutgers University in 2016. Ms. Capasso is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.