Long Island Board of REALTORS® Appoints Patrick Fife as General Counsel

Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Fife as General Counsel of the 30,000-member trade Association, serving real estate professionals throughout Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties.

With a wealth of legal experience and a deep understanding of real estate law, Fife’s appointment reflects LIBOR's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and legal compliance within the real estate industry.

In his role as General Counsel, Fife will spearhead LIBOR's legal compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to all relevant laws and regulations. His responsibilities will include identifying and mitigating legal risks, contract review and negotiation, oversight of external legal matters, guidance on employment-related issues, and guaranteeing compliance with data protection laws. Additionally, Fife will keep LIBOR informed about legal and regulatory changes, provide support for the Professional Standards Committee, and undertake other vital tasks.

Notably, Fife is also an approved New York State instructor for real estate continuing education, actively contributing educational webinars and programs on real estate, fair housing, licensing, and advertising.

Fife has been an integral member of LIBOR's legal team, serving as Associate General Counsel since 2020. In this role, he played a pivotal part in the day-to-day legal and business oversight of the Association.

Fife was also instrumental in the launch of LIBOR's information campaign, "Home for All of Us: Committed to Delivering Fair Housing Across Long Island." This campaign aims to educate both the real estate industry and the public on fair housing issues, emphasizing the avoidance of discrimination based on lawful sources of income and equal access for people with disabilities.

“LIBOR is thrilled that Patrick Fife has accepted the position of General Counsel. His dedication, legal experience, and commitment to LIBOR’s success have been evident throughout his tenure here. I have full confidence that in his new role, Patrick will not only safeguard LIBOR’s legal interests but will contribute to LIBOR’s growth and success," said Doreen Spagnuolo, CEO of LIBOR.

Before joining LIBOR, Fife practiced law at two prominent Long Island law firms, maintaining a general practice that involved a broad range of litigation, real estate, land use, and corporate matters. His diverse experience in real estate encompassed everything from representing clients in sales and purchases to assisting private developers with mixed-use and retail projects in Long Island's downtown areas.

Fife has served as a volunteer instructor and guest lecturer for legal interviewing, counseling and negotiation, appellate advocacy, and foundational lawyering skills courses at Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.

Fife's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University in 1997 and graduating summa cum laude from Hofstra University School of Law in 2003, where he was valedictorian of his graduating class.

Beyond his professional achievements, Fife has dedicated his time to community service, serving on the boards of the Bohemia Civic Association and St. Mary School Parents Association, and volunteering on various committees in the Connetquot Central School District. His most rewarding volunteer work involves coaching his children's youth sports teams.