A Seasoned Litigation Counsel

I have been fortunate in my career to have gained experience in many different aspects of the law. Here is a sample of my corporate and law firm experience.

Dispute Resolution and Litigation 

• Successfully litigated cases in US District Courts, New York State Supreme Courts and Appellate Departments, as well as New Jersey Law and Chancery Divisions, Appellate Division, and Supreme Court. 

• In New Jersey State Court, successfully defended a Chancery Division trial victory at the Appellate Division, then defeated a Petition for Certification to the Supreme Court in a $50M real estate ownership dispute. 

•In the New Jersey Law Division, won a motion to dismiss individual investor's commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) foreclosure action for lack of standing.

• In New York Supreme Court, won two motions to compel Plaintiff to arbitration in a foreign CMBS dispute.  

• A successful first-chair defense in an environmental contribution action obtaining a directed verdict for Vornado Realty Trust at trial in New Jersey state court.      

• Litigated and settled $10m business interruption claim arising from Superstorm Sandy for Catholic Health Services of Long Island’s hospital chain.   

• Obtained summary judgment for PQ Corporation in California state court on strength of motion papers in wrongful death case.    

• Litigated and settled breach of purchase and sale contract case involving waste water treatment plant at upstate New York nursing home complex.  

• Litigated and settled water intrusion, mold, and indoor air quality action for homeowner against NYC Co-op Board in New York Supreme Court.   

• Successfully defended several premises liability cases at industrial facilities in California and Texas state courts.  

Real Estate / Environmental  

• Lead environmental counsel on purchase and sale of a significant portfolio of automotive and light industrial properties in several states - conducted due diligence, drafted environmental escrow, indemnity and remediation agreements, coordinated Phase I and II investigations, liaised with state agencies to obtain No Further Action designations, and negotiated environmental insurance to wrap the transaction for both legacy and new pollution conditions.     

• Lender counsel for Modern Bank in the due diligence, negotiated and drafted of financing documents, and loan closings for commercial and residential real estate in NYC.  

• Counsel to both buyers and sellers of NYC residential real estate handing contract negotiations, title insurance, financing, taxes, and closings.       

• Conducted lease renewal and modification project for United Rentals, Inc. after the acquisition of new portfolio company.  

• Found Class A commercial office space in NYC, negotiated lease, and coordinated build-out of new corporate headquarters for Navigator’s Insurance Company.  

• Negotiated settlement and Consent Decree with USEPA, Region II, and Department of Justice and implemented remedial actions over waste water discharges on behalf of municipalities in Puerto Rico.     

• Lead counsel for The Salvation Army on redevelopment of two former brownfield sites for community centers including due diligence, negotiating with the sellers, remediation and escrow agreements, liaising with local, state, and federal regulators on the cleanup, environmental permitting, coordinating the cleanup, and procuring environmental insurance.  

• Lead environmental counsel for Vornado Realty Trust in complex negotiations for ongoing investigation, remediation, and operation and maintenance of vapor mitigation systems at former munitions factory in sale of The Plant Shopping Center in San Jose, CA.   

• Lead environmental counsel to real estate owners and developers in dozens of investigation and remediation projects involving historic fill, legacy industrial contamination, dry cleaning operations, and leaking underground storage tanks.  

• Lead environmental counsel on sale and redevelopment of $20M commercial real estate transaction from a private trust in Manhattan; including negotiation of contract, due diligence, remediation agreement, and transition with NYSDEC case manager and the new owners.    

Risk Management and Insurance   

• General Counsel and Director of Claims for Virtue Risk Partners LLC, a program manager for Scottsdale Insurance Company, helping obtain all state licenses, draft all policy forms and endorsements, negotiate agreements with wholesale brokers, and handle all compliance, human resources, vendor agreements, and claims/litigation management.

• General Counsel of Navigators Insurance Company, a publicly traded international insurance company; provided legal counsel in all aspects of business operations including underwriting, reinsurance, claims, finance, accounting, information systems, human resources, marketing, real estate, and litigation.   

• Principle and Chief Compliance Officer of Integro Insurance Brokers, an international insurance broker providing legal representation, ensuring regulatory licensing compliance, and driving sales opportunities. Developed organization’s corporate employee handbook, code of conduct, compliance guidelines, and delivered compliance training and education to all employees.