Attorneys & Management

Erick Vallely is the Managing Partner of Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC. Erick has represented large financial institutions, national mortgage servicers, hedge funds, private equity companies, & individuals in both residential and commercial foreclosure actions. His extensive experience in uncontested foreclosure, litigated foreclosure, and alternatives to foreclosure creates a distinct advantage for the lender.

Over the years, Erick has participated in and overseen the foreclosure process on over twenty-five thousand defaulted loans. Erick has been a lecturer at national servicing conferences and before the courts of the State of New York. As a part of his foreclosure practice, Erick has represented numerous buyers and sellers of defaulted loan pools in all aspects of the transaction, including due diligence and negotiation of the sale.

In addition to the foreclosure process, Erick represents both private and institutional lenders in commercial lending transactions. Erick’s specialty is construction lending, but he has represented the lenders in all facets of both traditional and non-traditional lending. His experience in the foreclosure process provides a unique insight into commercial lending and allows him to provide a transaction that will stand up to the tough scrutiny of the courts.

Prior to founding Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC, Erick managed two large foreclosure practices in New York. Having managed, overseen, and built foreclosure practices, Erick has extensive experience in the most challenging foreclosures New York has to offer. Vallely Law represents the culmination of Erick’s experience with a focus on providing his expertise to the commercial and residential mortgage industry.

Eileen M. Ryan is a Partner at Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC. Her area of concentration is real estate law.

Eileen, a graduate of Saint John’s University, School of Law, represents mortgage lenders, mortgage servicers and credit unions in loan originations, asset purchases, title claim litigation, and residential and commercial foreclosures. She also represents sellers and purchasers in residential, commercial, condominium and cooperative unit transactions.

Prior to joining Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC, Eileen worked as an associate in one of Long Island’s premier real estate law firms. She is a Board Member of Herstory Writer’s Network, and the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association and is a proud volunteer with New Hour for Women and Children LI and Spin the Yard, both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Ryan D. Mitola is a Partner of Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC and has over twenty (20) years of commercial litigation experience.  Ryan’s expertise encompasses a wide range of subjects including complex commercial, residential and non-judicial foreclosure matters, title claims, commercial collections, construction litigation and community association law.  Presently, Ryan oversees the Firm’s Foreclosure Department and acts as general counsel to the firm on all litigated matters.

Prior to becoming a partner, Ryan managed the contested litigation department of one of the largest residential foreclosure firms in New York State.  In that capacity, Ryan tried hundreds of foreclosure cases all over the State and successively argued before the NYS Appellate Divisions.  Ryan has met and trained many of the witnesses for some of the largest lenders and servicers in the industry and has conducted scores of trainings for attorneys, servicers and paralegals alike in connection with foreclosure process, trials and civil procedure in New York State.  Ryan also has over a decade of experience in representing community associations and has been involved in many complex litigations concerning corporate governance and directors and officer’s liability disputes.

With a wide array of experience, Ryan takes a pragmatic approach to litigation, focusing not only on the facts and law but taking into account the specific Judge and venue upon which the issues arise.  Ryan understands that being able to anticipate what a Court or adversary will do in a particular situation is just as important as the finite details of the case.  With this in mind, Ryan critically analyzes  these additional variables to guide clients through the litigation process and find a swift winning strategy.

Raffaella Stein is the Chief Operating Officer of Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC, bringing over twenty years of experience in legal operations, business strategy, and executive leadership. With a strong background in supporting managing partners and C-suite executives, Raffaella plays a pivotal role in overseeing the firm’s day-to-day operations, optimizing workflows, and ensuring seamless collaboration across departments. 

As a forward-thinking strategist, Raffaella is instrumental in implementing innovative systems and technologies, including cutting-edge case management software that enhances efficiency and client service. She has developed customized manuals and operational applications to streamline processes, improve case management, and support the firm’s continued growth. Her ability to integrate progressive solutions has significantly increased productivity and strengthened internal infrastructure, making her a driving force behind the firm’s operational success. 

Beyond her technical expertise, Raffaella is recognized for her client-first approach and exceptional ability to exceed portfolio-level expectations. Her commitment to excellence, combined with a deep understanding of the legal industry’s complexities, enables her to anticipate challenges, implement proactive solutions, and deliver unparalleled results for both clients and colleagues. 

A natural leader, Raffaella fosters a collaborative and high-performing workplace culture, using her positive attitude and tireless dedication to inspire others. She is passionate about mentoring teams, encouraging professional development, and ensuring that employees have the tools and resources necessary to succeed in a fast-paced legal environment. 

Her unwavering commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and client service has earned her a reputation as a best-in-class leader in legal administration. Under her leadership, Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC continues to thrive and evolve, delivering superior legal services while maintaining a strong foundation for sustained growth. 

Leah Bloomberg is a Partner at Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC.  She is an experienced real estate attorney with a concentrated practice in Cooperative and Condominium Law. She serves as General Counsel to Co-op and Condo boards, providing strategic guidance on governance, compliance, and day-to-day operational matters. In her role as counsel, she regularly handles building financing transactions, commercial leasing, construction and improvement agreements, vendor contracts, transfers, and individual resident matters. 

In addition to her aforementioned work with boards, Leah manages all aspects of sponsor representation and conversion work, navigating the legal and regulatory complexities of converting rental buildings and new construction into thriving cooperative and condominium communities. She regularly drafts offering plans and amendments and handles individual sponsor sales. 

Beyond her specialized work in Co-op and Condo representation, Leah also maintains a robust transactional practice, representing clients in the purchase and sale of residential properties.  

Leah is known for her practical, detail-oriented approach, and her commitment to ensuring that each transaction is handled efficiently with the client’s best interests at the forefront. 

Julia Krukowski is an associate attorney at Vallely Mitola Ryan, PLLC.  Her area of concentration is mortgage foreclosure.

Julia, a graduate of Hofstra University, School of Law, represents mortgage lenders and mortgage servicers in residential and commercial foreclosures.

Prior to joining Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC, Julia was a managing attorney at one of the largest residential foreclosure firms in New York State.  Julia also has experience with Condominium, Homeowners Association and Co-op law, as well as Evictions.

Hedva D. Haviv is an associate attorney at Vallely Mitola Ryan, PLLC focusing on mortgage foreclosure and post-judgment collections.   

Prior to joining Vallely Mitola Ryan, she served as an associate attorney at one of New York State’s largest residential foreclosure firms, where she gained extensive experience handling high-volume foreclosure cases and delivering favorable outcomes for clients.

Hedva is dedicated to achieving results while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Her expertise and commitment make her a trusted advocate in the field of mortgage foreclosure.

Margarita Gaitas is an Associate at Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC. She has been engaged in the legal field focused on litigation matters for over 18 years.  Her current area of concentration is real estate litigation.

She earned her J.D. from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2010, and her B.A. in English from Florida International University in 2006.  She is admitted to practice in Florida (2010), New York (2020), and the District of Columbia (2021).  She is also admitted to practice in the Federal Courts for the Southern District of Florida (2011) and the Eastern District of New York (2022).

Prior to joining Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC, she worked as an associate with Robertson, Anschutz & Schneid focused for the past three years focused on real estate litigation. In Florida she focused on commercial and real estate litigation.

Maria Piscitelli is the Closings Manager at Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC, bringing over a decade of experience in mortgage lending and foreclosure. She oversees all aspects of the firm’s closings process, including loan clearance, document preparation, and funding, while also managing the firm’s private lending platform to create a seamless, client-focused referral-to-closing experience.

Maria began her career in 2013, gaining expertise in foreclosure operations, and held key roles in some of the largest foreclosure firms in the industry. She has a proven track record in managing foreclosure sales, post-foreclosure auction closings, and commercial foreclosure matters.  She later gained experience in the lending trade by coordinating the private lending department with the managing attorney.  With that experience, she became more involved in the mortgage industry and began working as a closing coordinator.  From fully reviewing all Loans in the pipeline for final approval to close through to the closing table to assure a smooth transaction.

A powerful force in the workplace, Maria uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to inspire others to work hard and succeed. Her dedication and leadership make her an invaluable asset to any team.

Since 1998, Dawn Acevedo has been a driving force in the real estate legal field, supporting attorneys, managing paralegals and legal teams, and guiding clients through complex transactions with confidence and care. Her experience spans residential and commercial transactions, representing buyers, sellers, and lenders with precision and dedication.

Dawn also assists with corporate formations and partners closely with realtors, investors, and business owners on strategic business development initiatives. She is known for her hands-on, client-first approach and her ability to bring even the most challenging deals to a successful close.

At Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC, Dawn continues to lead with excellence, offering meticulous attention to detail, clear communication, and a passion for helping clients feel informed and empowered throughout every step of the process.