Attorneys
Jonathan G. Tarbet
Jonathan represents clients in land use and planning matters and real estate transactions. He graduated from St. John’s School of Law and was admitted to practice law in the State of New York in 1998. He began his legal career in the corporate law department of Dewey & LeBoeuf in Manhattan. After several years in the city, Jonathan moved back to his hometown of East Hampton where he served as an Assistant East Hampton Town Attorney representing the Zoning Board of Appeals. In 2004, he started this firm. He is sought out for his extensive experience in zoning, municipal and environmental matters in representing clients before all local land planning boards and handling appeals of such matters, known as Article 78 Proceedings. Jonathan is also a licensed real estate broker and lives in East Hampton with his wife, Laura and children, Isabella, Luke and Nathanial. He is an active member of the community having served as a volunteer fireman since 2001.
Brian J. Lester
Brian represents clients in all aspects of business matters and all aspects of litigation that include trust and estate, real estate, landlord/tenant issues, criminal matters, family law and appellate practice. He graduated from West Chester University Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. From there, Brian went on to attend the Suffolk County Police Academy graduating as the valedictorian of his class. Brian worked as a police officer with the East Hampton Village Police Department while attending Hofstra University School of Law where he graduated with honors. He was admitted to practice law in the State of New York in 1998. During his time at Hofstra, he interned at the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and participated in Hofstra’s Criminal Justice Clinic where he gained practical client interaction and courtroom experience. Brian was also the Research Editor of the Hofstra Law Review. His Comment, Is it Too Late for Juvenile Curfews? Qutb Logic and the Constitution was published in the Hofstra Law Review. See, 25 Hofstra L. Rev. 665 (1996). After graduating law school he became an associate with a local law firm and then started his own firm with Jonathan Tarbet. Brian is a member of the American, New York, and Suffolk County Bar Associations and a Mason. Brian lives in East Hampton with his wife, Becky and his daughter, Julianna.
Seamus M. McGrath
Seamus practices real estate law. He graduated from the State University at Geneseo where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He received his law degree from Hofstra University School of Law and was admitted to practice law in 2013. Seamus lives in Southampton.
Samantha A. Malone
A life-long Southampton resident, Samantha graduated from Georgetown Law in 2019. She earned a B.A. in International Affairs and Archaeology from George Washington University. Samantha is admitted to the New York State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar. She is fluent in Spanish and focuses primarily on real estate matters.
Lawton A. Wakefield
Lawton A. Wakefield concentrates his practice in all aspects of litigation. Lawton started his legal career with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. As an Assistant District Attorney, he was assigned to the District Court Bureau where he specialized in the prosecution of DWI cases. He received his law degree from Fordham University School of Law and his undergraduate history degree from SUNY Oneonta. Lawton lives in Southampton with his wife.
Laura Molinari, of Counsel
Laura began her professional career as a litigator at a top multinational law firm and clerked for a federal judge before moving to East Hampton. Prior to joining Tarbet & Lester, PLLC, Laura served as the East Hampton Town Attorney. Laura graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and St. John’s University School of Law.
Gina Plansker, of Counsel
With degrees from the University of Virginia and St. John’s University School of Law, Gina has focused her professional career on estate planning, probate and estate administration. Prior to joining Tarbet & Lester, PLLC, Gina was a principal in a boutique estate planning and administration firm in Manhasset. She is dedicated to helping families protect their assets and safeguarding their future.
Jeff S. Korek, of Counsel
Jeff S. Korek joined Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. in 1992 as a partner and trial attorney representing victims of medical malpractice and construction accidents. Jeff is known for the zealous representation of his clients and the substantial verdicts he has gotten for them. He has been an East Hampton resident for over 20 years.
Jeff has been recognized in both Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers® for personal injury and medical malpractice since 2006. In 2016, Jeff was named as Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation in New York City. Jeff was also recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in the New York City area. In 2018, the Litigation Counsel of America inducted him into the Trial Lawyers Honorary Society. He is routinely described as “powerful” and “influential” by publications such as the New York Times and Crain’s New York Business.
In 2018, Jeff was a panel speaker at the NY State Judicial Institute on the subject of medical malpractice. The Institute provides statewide education and training for more than 1,500 judges and justices of the New York State Unified Court System.
Jeff is a Past President and current Board Member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and a Past President of the New York City Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He frequently lectures at the New York State Trial Lawyers Institute, the New York State Bar Association and Fordham University School of Law on subjects of Trial Practice, Medical Malpractice and Construction Injuries. He is regularly published in the New York Law Journal.
Since 1999, Jeff has been appointed by four consecutive presiding Justices of the New York State Appellate Division, Second Department, to its Committees on Character and Fitness.
Jeff has been admitted to the Bar in all Courts of the State of New York and New Jersey as well as the Eastern and Southern Districts of the Federal Court of New York and the Federal Court of New Jersey. In 2013, he was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.
In addition to his legal accolades, Jeff is also deeply dedicated to his community, as reflected in his having been a founder and active member of “The Gardiner Foundation.” This non-profit foundation was started in South Bronx to assist the community youth by providing them with financial and emotional support.
Cases of note:
Bronx River Parkway Design Defect Case involving the death of 5 young men and a child on their way to a basketball tournament. In its 13th week of trial, the case resulted in an $18.5 million settlement.
Pelham Bay Landfill case representing 12 families whose children were stricken with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia due to illegal dumping by major corporations and the US Army in an NYC landfill. The litigation resulted in a $12 million dollar settlement.