Areas of Practice

General Counseling 

Every individual and every business needs a general counsel.  I act as outside general counsel to a diverse client base of individuals, families, start-ups, and businesses of all sizes.  I am your trusted advisor with deep analytical skills and seasoned judgement. Someone you rely upon for not just legal expertise but also for advise and counsel on strategic business matters and other important decisions.   

Dispute Resolution and Litigation 

Disputes are inevitable, but they don't need to escalate into litigation unnecessarily. In 25 years I have never seen a case that couldn't be settled with reasonable compromise on both sides. I can help you negotiate any dispute, big or small.  Of course, settlement is not always possible. 

Sometimes clients need to initiate a lawsuit to enforce a legal right.  Other times clients need a vigorous defense to claims or lawsuits.  Either way, litigation can be a long and difficult battle.  I am a highly experienced commercial litigator in both state and federal courts, and can represent your interests with the respectful, dynamic, confident posture needed to win.  

Risk Management and Insurance 

I have extensive experience in all aspects of risk management and insurance, acting as outside risk manager and assisting with agent/broker selection,  insurance placements , coverage opinions, claims management, and litigation.  I also conduct risk assessments and craft Enterprise Risk Management programs to help clients identify, mitigate, and transfer risk in a strategic manner.    

Environmental

I have concentrated on environmental law and insurance since 1988.  Every commercial real estate transaction has an environmental component to it.   This is especially true for any property that has or had an underground storage tank, asbestos, lead paint, or any industrial operations.  I help clients with environmental due diligence in all commercial transactions by conducting peer reviews on environmental Phase I, Phase II and Remedial Action Reports; obtaining an Opinion of Probable Costs on expected investigations and clean-ups, negotiating indemnity, access, and remediation agreements, as well as placement of environmental insurance.  I have handled RCRA, CERCLA and Clean Water Act, as well as vapor intrusion, mold and other indoor air quality matters. 

Real Estate and Corporate 

I also have experience with commercial real estate, including leasing, transactions, due diligence, mergers & acquisitions, and finance.  I have acted as both lender and borrower counsel, and closed scores of mixed-use and multi-family building transactions in NYC.

All businesses need to deal with contracts and forms.  I have a particular expertise in insurance contracts, having drafted manuscript policies and endorsements for insurance companies and agencies.  I have also helped start-ups and small businesses with numerous contracts of all kinds including leases, licensing, permits, employment, client and vendor agreements.