Scott A. Sydelnik

Scott A. Sydelnik

Managing Partner, Davidson Fink LLP

Years in current role: 1

What changes in the legal industry do you believe will have the biggest impact on clients over the next few years?

The ascension of AI as a replacement for effective contract drafting.

What is one challenge currently facing the legal profession that deserves more attention?

The ever-changing need to help our attorneys and staff with work-life balance. Being an attorney can be a grueling, and sometimes unrewarding experience. Understanding and giving grace to our attorneys and staff who may need a work from home day or flexible schedule so they can take their kids to baseball games can go a long way toward a successful office.

How do you balance legal expertise with client service and relationship-building?

I have always made it a point to get to know my clients on a personal level, which I have found enables me to best represent them. If I know who they are as a person, and what is important to them, my effectiveness as their attorney increases.

How important is community involvement or pro bono work within your organization?

When I interviewed with Mr. Davidson in 2010, he asked me what community work I participated in. That moment has and will forever stick with me. He knew the value in giving back to our community. Today we support many charities including Habitat for Humanity and the American Cancer Society, and offer all our attorneys stipends for the charities that mean the most to them.

What is one accomplishment — professional or personal — that you are especially proud of?

I am most proud of carrying the torch as managing partner of Davidson Fink. I am one of the few with the firm today who worked for and alongside our founding partners, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Fink. Continuing the legacy of Davidson Fink is a task I take very seriously and am very proud of.

This profile is part of our Real Estate Law Power List for 2025. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at nydailyrecord.com.