Our Team

  • Founding Partner

    Robert V. Dienstag is a founding partner of Dienstag Law PLLC and has been practicing in the field of trusts and estates for over 45 years. He advises individuals, families, and closely held businesses on a wide range of estate planning, tax, and succession matters, combining deep technical knowledge with a thoughtful, client-centered approach.

    Bob’s practice centers on the design and implementation of sophisticated estate plans, including complex wills, trusts, and family gifting structures. He regularly counsels multigenerational families on strategies to transfer wealth in a tax-efficient and orderly manner, while remaining attentive to family dynamics and long-term legacy goals.

    He also handles all aspects of estate administration and probate, and has represented fiduciaries and beneficiaries in Surrogate’s Court proceedings involving estates of varied size and complexity. Bob has successfully resolved IRS audits and tax controversies, and provides clients with effective strategies to navigate income and transfer tax exposure.

    Earlier in his career, Bob also developed substantial experience in pension and retirement planning, and continues to advise select clients on the design and operation of qualified retirement plans within the broader context of estate and business planning.

    Bob began his legal career in the trusts and estates department of Proskauer Rose LLP. He earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1977 and his LL.M. in Taxation from NYU in 1983.

    He is admitted to practice in New York, the U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and is a member of the New York State Bar Association. Bob lives in Great Neck, New York with his wife and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren. He remains active in advising local charitable and educational institutions.
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    Bar Admissions & Courts
    New York, 1978
    U.S. Tax Court, 2002
    U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

    Education
    Queens College, City University of New York, B.A., 1974
    New York University School of Law, New York, J.D., 1977
    New York University School of Law, New York, LL.M. (in Taxation), 1983

  • Partner
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    Chaim Dienstag is a partner at Dienstag Law PLLC, where he plays a leading role in the firm’s trusts and estates and business planning practices. With over a decade of experience, Chaim focuses on designing and implementing sophisticated estate plans for high-net-worth individuals, families, and closely held businesses.

    Chaim recently earned an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law, with a concentration in estate, gift, and fiduciary income taxation. His advanced training deepens his ability to advise on complex planning structures, including SLATs, GRATs, ILITs, hybrid domestic asset protection trusts, and other wealth transfer strategies. He regularly prepares customized wills, trust instruments, gift tax returns, and operating agreements as part of integrated estate and business succession plans.

    Chaim also counsels international clients navigating U.S. tax and legal issues related to inbound wealth planning and cross-border estates. His work often involves close coordination with trustees, accountants, and valuation professionals to ensure that each structure is both tax-sensitive and practically effective.

    In addition to his estate planning practice, Chaim serves as a guardian and court evaluator in Article 81 guardianship matters in New York, bringing a thoughtful, client-centered approach to contested proceedings involving incapacity and asset oversight.

    Prior to joining Dienstag Law PLLC, Chaim practiced at a boutique trusts and estates firm on Long Island, where he developed a foundation in estate planning and business law. He is admitted to practice in both New York and New Jersey, and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

    Chaim earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, where he served as a staff member of the Fordham Environmental Law Review and as a research assistant to Professor Youngjae Lee. He also holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. He lives with his wife and family in North Woodmere, New York.

    Bar Admissions & Courts
    New York, 2013
    New Jersey, 2013

    Education
    Queens College, City University of New York, B.A., 2006
    Columbia University, Teachers College, New York, NY, M.A., 2009
    Fordham University School of Law, New York, NY, J.D., 2012
    New York University School of Law, New York, NY, LL.M. (in Taxation) 2025

  • OF COUNSEL

    Esther Dinovitser is Of Counsel to the Law Offices of Robert V. Dienstag. She received her J.D. from St. John's University Law School, and has been admitted to the practice of Law before the Courts of the State of New York since 1999. Ms. Dinovitser has dedicated much of her career to the practice of Elder Law.  She is a former associate at Busell & Stier, PLLC and of Cohn, Steinberg, Goldstein & Early-Hubelbank, PLLC.

    Esther Dinovitser has completed the Certified Guardian and Court Evaluator Training Program and attended lectures provided by the New York and Queens County Bar Associations in the areas of Elder law and Trusts and Estates. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

    Bar Admissions & Courts
    New York, 1999
    U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
    U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
    U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
    Appellate Division Supreme Court Second Judicial Department

    Education
    Queens College, City University of New York, B.A., 1980
    St. John's University School of Law, Queens, NY, J.D., 1999

  • ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

    Gayle Ashkenazy works primarily in the firm’s Probate and Estate Administration practice. She also drafts estate planning documents including Wills, Trusts and Health Care Directives.  Additionally, as a Certified Article 81 Guardian and Court Evaluator and a regular attendee of Elder Law and Medicaid planning seminars, Gayle advises our clients on Elder Law issues, assists with Medicaid applications and represents our firm with respect to its Court-Appointed Guardianships and Surrogate’s Court matters. She is a graduate of New York University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.    

    Prior to joining our firm, Gayle worked as a pro bono attorney for New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)/Elder Law Division and was a legal research instructor and account manager for Westlaw-Thomson Reuters.  A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music Pre-College Division, Gayle is also a concert pianist and performs throughout the tri-state area as an accompanist and soloist.  She has two grown children and lives with her husband in Great Neck, NY.

    Bar Admissions & Courts
    New York, 1995
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    Education
    University of Rochester/Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY (credits earned towards BA)
    University of Miami/Frost School of Music, Miami, FL, (Full-tuition scholarship) B.M. 1987
    New York University School of Law, New York, NY, J.D., 1991