Overview
Donald Rassiger helps clients navigate corporate transactions and strategic initiatives with clear, practical guidance informed by years of in‑house legal experience. He brings a business‑first perspective to corporate transactional work, shaped by extensive experience advising companies both as outside counsel and from within senior in‑house legal roles.
Don focuses his practice on corporate transactions and commercial matters, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, strategic investments, joint ventures, financing arrangements, and other complex business deals. He regularly drafts and negotiates a wide range of agreements, such as operating and shareholder agreements, teaming arrangements, insurance placements, and sophisticated commercial contracts. Clients value his ability to manage transactions efficiently while keeping deals aligned with broader business objectives.
A significant portion of Don’s transactional experience involves companies operating in the construction and infrastructure sectors. He has represented stakeholders across the construction lifecycle, including owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects, construction managers, and program managers. This breadth of experience gives him a practical understanding of how construction‑related businesses are structured, financed, and operated, and how project‑level issues intersect with broader corporate strategy. Don has also negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars in construction‑related claims and change orders, helping clients resolve complex disputes while protecting long‑term business and project goals. In addition, he regularly advises clients on Minority‑ and Women‑Owned Business (MWBE) certification, working with state and local agencies and municipalities to support compliance and contracting requirements.
Having served as Chief Legal Officer for multiple organizations, Don understands how legal advice is evaluated and implemented within businesses. He works closely with clients to distinguish between legal risk and business risk, helping them make informed decisions that support growth while remaining compliant with applicable laws and regulations. This perspective allows him to anticipate operational considerations and structure transactions that are both legally sound and commercially practical.
Don also advises clients on risk management and compliance issues that intersect with corporate transactions, including insurance and bonding matters, internal governance considerations, and safety‑related risks. In prior in‑house roles, he managed claims, incident investigations, compliance initiatives, and the development and implementation of corporate policies and procedures. This experience enhances his transactional practice by allowing him to identify and address potential risk issues early in the deal process.
In addition, Don has experience advising on labor‑related considerations connected to corporate transactions, including collective bargaining issues, workforce‑related risk, and labor agreements arising in connection with acquisitions, restructurings, and large‑scale projects. He has negotiated numerous collective bargaining agreements and advised clients in labor arbitrations and disputes, providing valuable insight into how labor considerations can impact transaction strategy and execution.
Clients rely on Don for practical, commercially grounded counsel that helps move complex transactions forward with clarity and confidence.
Recognition
- New York Metro Super Lawyers® (2019-2025)
- Long Island Business News – Leadership in Law (2017)
Memberships
- March of Dimes - Board of Directors, Joe Namath Celebrity Golf Classic (2007 to 2016)
- Crab Meadow Men’s Club - President (2019-2020); Executive Board (2012-2021); Tournament Director (2014-2016)
- Long Island Builders Institute (LIBI) – Chair, Awards Committee
- National Electrical Contractors Association, Northeast Lines Chapter – Past Board of Directors (2013-2016)