David J. Sylvester

David J. Sylvester is a director at Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC in Burlington, Vermont. He represents institutional clients in commercial transactions,business law, including mergers and acquisitions, secured financing, real estate arrangements, and leasing. He works with companies on projects in Vermont and nationally. His approach centers on developing a legal strategy that fits each client’s business objectives and the particular requirements of the transaction.

David earned a J.D., cum laude, from Albany Law School and a B.A., cum laude, from Middlebury College. He is admitted to practice in Vermont and New York. His academic preparation supports work involving the analysis of agreements and the relationship between legal obligations and business goals. Transactional advice requires translating that analysis into terms that clients can use when making decisions.

David’s experience includes restaurant acquisitions and divestitures, grocery business transactions, and convenience store financing. He has also represented clients in senior living facility sales and media publishing transactions. These projects involve different operating businesses, assets, and commercial priorities. Careful transaction planning helps identify the questions that need resolution before parties commit to a purchase, sale, financing arrangement, or continuing business relationship.

David J. Sylvester chaired the firm’s Business Law group from 2010 through 2017 and served as deputy managing partner from 2018 through 2023. His career includes more than 30 years of transactional representation. He brings that experience to companies assessing changes in ownership and other significant commitments. His work connects legal structure with the practical demands of completing a transaction and supporting the client’s plans afterward.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC
• Member, Vermont Bar Association
• Member, New York State Bar Association

Licensed State

• Vermont
• New York

Education

• Albany Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD) Cum Laude
• Middlebury College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) Cum Laude

Awards & Badges