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Rajat Shah
D: (716) 200-5109  
rshah@harrisbeach.com

Rajat R. Shah

  Member

Industry Team Co-Leader -  
Racing and Gaming
(716) 200-5109
  rshah@harrisbeach.com
“We bring an entrepreneurial outlook to finding innovative solutions to meet client needs. As a result, we pride ourselves in making the impossible a reality.”
Profile
Representative Matters
Professional and Civic
Areas of Experience
Admissions
Education
Location
Publications and Events

Rajat spent nearly a decade at international law firms advising clients from initial formation to going public and thereafter. He counseled clients on a broad range of corporate activities including complex finance, corporate restructuring and mergers & acquisitions. Rajat then spent approximately 15 years on the business side as an accomplished general counsel, corporate development and governmental affairs senior executive whose experience goes far beyond the law. Immediately before joining Harris Beach, Rajat founded and led a hospitality start-up, raising approximately $20 million in equity through a combination of a Series A round and landlord tenant improvement contributions.

Across his career, Rajat has led and significantly influenced the strategic direction of organizations of various sizes, including the Delaware North Companies, an international gaming and hospitality conglomerate operating on four continents, and Seneca Gaming Corporation, which operates three resort casinos in New York. At Harris Beach, Rajat advises public and private clients on matters relating to finance, mergers & acquisitions, general corporate, organizational structuring, securities law compliance, real estate, and governmental affairs, as well as crisis management.

Prior to joining Harris Beach, Rajat was CEO and founder of a multi-state corporation that helped manage celebrity-branded restaurants and retail operations and also advised on operational improvements and acquisitions in the gaming and hospitality industries. At Delaware North, Rajat served in the Office of CEO as an executive vice president, general counsel, chief compliance officer, corporate secretary and head of corporate development and external affairs. During his tenure, Rajat helped materially grow the revenue of Delaware North through organic and inorganic growth, including the development or acquisition of Miami Valley Gaming, Patina Restaurant Group, GEM Gaming and Entertainment and Ruby 7 Studios. He also served as senior vice president of corporate development and general counsel for Seneca Gaming, as the organization grew from a single temporary casino to three permanent facilities in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca, New York.

Prior to becoming a senior corporate executive, Rajat practiced law at two of the world’s largest law firms – Akin Gump (Washington D.C. office) and Pillsbury (New York City office). During his time with Akin Gump and Pillsbury, Rajat negotiated terms for more than $3.5 billion in domestic and international bond offerings and credit facilities, negotiated domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, advised public companies pre- and post-Chapter 11 and counseled public companies on corporate governance and legal and regulatory compliance.

Representative Matters

  • Counseled an online sports betting company with global operations in its $625 million initial public offering (through a de-SPAC) and listing on NASDAQ to facilitate its expansion into U.S. markets.
  • Represented Viridi Parente (renewable energy) in a $100 million C round equity raise.
  • Advised Strayos, Inc. (technology provider in mining industry) in a $3 million Series A round equity raise.
  • Represented national commercial real estate developer, Sinatra & Co., in buy-out of co-founder (the Pritzker family), including multi-layered financing with traditional and non-traditional debt financing.
  • Advised Apollo Global Management on numerous private and public company acquisition matters.
  • Counseled Guideline Medical Holdings/Compliance Team, LLC’s acquisition of Compliance Team, Inc.
  • Represented Ahold Delhaize in acquisition of a grocery store chain in Thailand.
  • Advised Suffolk Regional Off Track Betting Corporation in the acquisition of Jakes 58 Casino Hotel.
  • Negotiated slot placement agreements for Pervasive Gaming Operations, LLC throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Argentina.
  • Advised Seneca Gaming Corporation in $80 million credit facility and $200 million bond offering.
  • Represented Seneca Nation in $160 million muni-bond offering.
  • Represented Rotate Black in casino development opportunities in Panama City, Panama; Biloxi, Mississippi, Catskills, New York; and Alberta, Canada.
  • Advised CRIIMI MAE Inc. in multi-billion Chapter 11 restructuring.
  • Represented Native Wholesale Supply Company in settling its nearly decade-long dispute with the New York State Office of Attorney General.

Professional and Civic

  • 43North, Buffalo-based start-up accelerator – Mentor to startup companies (www.43north.org)
  • Endeavor.org, supporting & investing in high impact entrepreneurs – Board member (www.endeavor.org)
  • Vanderbilt Law Review

Recognition

  • Legal Elite of Western New York, Buffalo Business First
  • 40 Under 40, Buffalo Business First
  • Eagle Scout

Legal Practices

Commercial Real Estate
Corporate
Financial Restructuring, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights
Public Finance and Economic Development

Industry Teams

Construction and Surety
Financial Institutions and Capital Markets
Racing and Gaming

Admissions

District of Columbia

New York

Vanderbilt University School of Law

JD 
1996

Gettysburg College

BA 
1993
magna cum laude

Location

Buffalo, NY Office
Washington, D.C. Office
Insights
January 25, 2021

Supreme Court Holds Creditor Retention of Debtor’s Property Does Not Violate “Automatic Stay”

The Supreme Court of the United States recently issued a decision regarding the scope of the “automatic stay” codified at section 362 of the
April 6, 2020

COVID-19 Mortgage Forbearance Available to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Multifamily Property Owners

As part of the federal government COVID-19 economic mitigation response, the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) has announced that Fan
April 1, 2020

How to Manage a Crisis

No one likes to envision bad things happening. But developing a crisis management plan is arguably the single most important responsibility
April 1, 2020

Emergency Loans Available to Small Businesses Under CARES Act

Congress has acted in support of small businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic by low-interest federal disaster loans for working ca
News
April 15, 2020

Rajat Shah – Getting Support from the CARES Act

Organizations large and small are clamoring for information about the loan provisions under the federal CARES Act. Partner Rajat Shah of our
November 19, 2019

Rajat R. Shah, Experienced General Counsel, Joins Harris Beach as Partner

Harris Beach PLLC, ranked as one of the country’s largest law firms by The National Law Journal, has elected Rajat R. Shah as partner. Rajat
Events
July 30, 2020

Rajat Shah Presenting Buffalo Niagara Partnership Webinar: What You Need to Know About NDAs – Best Practices on How to Create and Enforce

The disclosure of confidential information in business can be extremely damaging. To lower the risk, organizations often ask people who rece
May 1, 2020

Harris Beach Holds COVID-19 Office Hours For Employers

To stay ahead of the latest pandemic developments, join our complimentary virtual office hours – flash sessions where Harris Beach attorneys
April 27, 2020

Harris Beach Holds COVID-19 Office Hours For Employers

To stay ahead of the latest pandemic developments, join our complimentary virtual office hours – flash sessions where Harris Beach attorneys
External Publications
All Insights, All Publications, Legal Alert |
 January 25, 2021
Supreme Court Holds Creditor Retention of Debtor’s Property Does Not Violate “Automatic Stay”
The Supreme Court of the United States recently issued a decision regarding the scope of the “automatic stay” codified at section 362 of the...read more
All Insights, All Publications, Covid-19, Legal Alert |
 April 6, 2020
COVID-19 Mortgage Forbearance Available to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Multifamily Property Owners
As part of the federal government COVID-19 economic mitigation response, the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) has announced that Fan...read more
All Insights, Audio, Covid-19 |
 April 1, 2020
How to Manage a Crisis
No one likes to envision bad things happening. But developing a crisis management plan is arguably the single most important responsibility ...read more
All Insights, All Publications, Covid-19, Legal Alert |
 April 1, 2020
Emergency Loans Available to Small Businesses Under CARES Act
Congress has acted in support of small businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic by low-interest federal disaster loans for working ca...read more
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Rajat R. Shah

rshah@harrisbeach.com
D: (716) 200-5109
Buffalo, NY Office
Washington, D.C. Office
Rajat Shah
https://www.harrisbeach.com/people/shah-rajat-r/

■ Areas of Expertise

Legal Practices

Commercial Real Estate Legal Practice
Corporate Legal Practice
Financial Restructuring, Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Legal Practice
Public Finance and Economic Development Legal Practice

Industry Teams

Construction and Surety Industry Team
Financial Institutions and Capital Markets Industry Team
Racing and Gaming Industry Team

■ Profile

Rajat spent nearly a decade at international law firms advising clients from initial formation to going public and thereafter. He counseled clients on a broad range of corporate activities including complex finance, corporate restructuring and mergers & acquisitions. Rajat then spent approximately 15 years on the business side as an accomplished general counsel, corporate development and governmental affairs senior executive whose experience goes far beyond the law. Immediately before joining Harris Beach, Rajat founded and led a hospitality start-up, raising approximately $20 million in equity through a combination of a Series A round and landlord tenant improvement contributions.

Across his career, Rajat has led and significantly influenced the strategic direction of organizations of various sizes, including the Delaware North Companies, an international gaming and hospitality conglomerate operating on four continents, and Seneca Gaming Corporation, which operates three resort casinos in New York. At Harris Beach, Rajat advises public and private clients on matters relating to finance, mergers & acquisitions, general corporate, organizational structuring, securities law compliance, real estate, and governmental affairs, as well as crisis management.

Prior to joining Harris Beach, Rajat was CEO and founder of a multi-state corporation that helped manage celebrity-branded restaurants and retail operations and also advised on operational improvements and acquisitions in the gaming and hospitality industries. At Delaware North, Rajat served in the Office of CEO as an executive vice president, general counsel, chief compliance officer, corporate secretary and head of corporate development and external affairs. During his tenure, Rajat helped materially grow the revenue of Delaware North through organic and inorganic growth, including the development or acquisition of Miami Valley Gaming, Patina Restaurant Group, GEM Gaming and Entertainment and Ruby 7 Studios. He also served as senior vice president of corporate development and general counsel for Seneca Gaming, as the organization grew from a single temporary casino to three permanent facilities in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca, New York.

Prior to becoming a senior corporate executive, Rajat practiced law at two of the world’s largest law firms – Akin Gump (Washington D.C. office) and Pillsbury (New York City office). During his time with Akin Gump and Pillsbury, Rajat negotiated terms for more than $3.5 billion in domestic and international bond offerings and credit facilities, negotiated domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, advised public companies pre- and post-Chapter 11 and counseled public companies on corporate governance and legal and regulatory compliance.

■ Representative Matters

  • Counseled an online sports betting company with global operations in its $625 million initial public offering (through a de-SPAC) and listing on NASDAQ to facilitate its expansion into U.S. markets.
  • Represented Viridi Parente (renewable energy) in a $100 million C round equity raise.
  • Advised Strayos, Inc. (technology provider in mining industry) in a $3 million Series A round equity raise.
  • Represented national commercial real estate developer, Sinatra & Co., in buy-out of co-founder (the Pritzker family), including multi-layered financing with traditional and non-traditional debt financing.
  • Advised Apollo Global Management on numerous private and public company acquisition matters.
  • Counseled Guideline Medical Holdings/Compliance Team, LLC’s acquisition of Compliance Team, Inc.
  • Represented Ahold Delhaize in acquisition of a grocery store chain in Thailand.
  • Advised Suffolk Regional Off Track Betting Corporation in the acquisition of Jakes 58 Casino Hotel.
  • Negotiated slot placement agreements for Pervasive Gaming Operations, LLC throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Argentina.
  • Advised Seneca Gaming Corporation in $80 million credit facility and $200 million bond offering.
  • Represented Seneca Nation in $160 million muni-bond offering.
  • Represented Rotate Black in casino development opportunities in Panama City, Panama; Biloxi, Mississippi, Catskills, New York; and Alberta, Canada.
  • Advised CRIIMI MAE Inc. in multi-billion Chapter 11 restructuring.
  • Represented Native Wholesale Supply Company in settling its nearly decade-long dispute with the New York State Office of Attorney General.

■ Professional and Civic

  • 43North, Buffalo-based start-up accelerator – Mentor to startup companies (www.43north.org)
  • Endeavor.org, supporting & investing in high impact entrepreneurs – Board member (www.endeavor.org)
  • Vanderbilt Law Review

■ Admissions

  • Legal Elite of Western New York, Buffalo Business First
  • 40 Under 40, Buffalo Business First
  • Eagle Scout

■ Education

Vanderbilt University School of Law
 ,JD
 ,1996
Gettysburg College
 ,BA
 ,1993
 ,magna cum laude

Harris Beach and its subsidiaries provide a full range of legal and professional services for clients across New York state, as well as nationally and internationally. Harris Beach is among the country’s top law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal and is among the BTI Elite law firms based on in-depth interviews of more than 600 corporate counsel at the world’s largest and most influential companies. Our clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately-held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, not-for-profit organizations and individuals. Principal industries we represent include education, energy, financial, food and beverage, health care, insurance, manufacturing, medical and life sciences, real estate developers, and state and local governments and authorities.

Industry Teams
Automotive and Vehicle Dealerships
Blockchain and Digital Assets 
Cannabis
Construction and Surety
Educational Institutions Higher Ed
Educational Institutions K-12
EMS and Fire Protection Providers
Energy
Financial Institutions and Capital Markets
Food and Beverage
Health Care
Industrial and Consumer Manufacturing
Medical and Life Sciences
Municipalities and Local Agencies
Nanotechnology
Photonics
Racing and Gaming
Real Estate Developers
Science and Technology
Telecommunications and Media
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
USA Collegiate Sports
Veterinary Medicine

Practices
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Appellate
Business and Commercial Litigation
Collection Law
Commercial Real Estate
Corporate
Cybersecurity Protection and Response
Diversity Compliance
E-Discovery (e-infoSM)
Employee Benefits
Employment Litigation
Environmental Law
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
Financial Restructuring, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights
Government Compliance and Investigations
Health Law
Immigration Law
Insurance Coverage
Intellectual Property Law
International Trade Law
Internet Law
Labor and Employment Law
Mass Torts and Industry-Wide Litigation
New Markets Tax Credit
Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law
Product Liability and Comprehensive General Liability
Public Finance and Economic Development
Real Property Valuation Litigation
Residential Real Estate
Tax Law
White Collar Crime
Wills, Trusts and Estates

Consulting Services
HB Solutions LLC
Collegiate Sports Compliance
Data Privacy and Cybersecurity
Economic Development and Public Affairs
Educational Institution Assistance
EMRG® (E-Discovery Management Resources Group)
Energy
Health and Human Services
Human Resources
Information Technology
Marketing and Communication Services
Municipal and Local Agency Assistance

HB Cornerstone LLC
Owner Representation
Design Services
Facilities Consulting
Move Management

Caetra.io
CyMetric (Cybersecurity Regulation Compliance Software)

Offices throughout New York:

Albany
677 Broadway
Albany, NY 12207
518-427-9700

Buffalo
726 Exchange Street
Buffalo, NY 14210
716-200-5050

Ithaca
119 East Seneca Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-6444

Long Island
333 Earle Ovington Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11553
516-880-8484

New York City
100 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
212-687-0100

Rochester
99 Garnsey Road
Pittsford, NY 14534
585-419-8800

Saratoga Springs
513 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518-587-0551

Syracuse
333 West Washington Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
315-423-7100

White Plains
445 Hamilton Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
914-683-1200

Offices also in:

New Haven, CT
195 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
203-784-3159

Newark, NJ
One Gateway Center
Newark, NJ 07102
973-848-1244

Washington, DC
800-685-1429

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
© 2022 Harris Beach PLLC

Content current as of February 8, 2023 5:55 am
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