Residential and Commercial Real Estate

Buying, selling, leasing, financing, developing, investing, you name it. Where real estate is involved, we love getting our hands dirty. Over the years, we have handled property transactions from the most simple to the most complex. From first-time homebuyers to experienced commercial developers, from landlords to tenants, from “home sweet homes” to industrial warehouses, our attention to detail and to our clients’ legal needs and goals does not waver. In fact, we find that it is inattentiveness, more than any other factor, which can transform the most straightforward transaction into a roller coaster ride. We like roller coasters, but only at the amusement park – not at the closing table.

General Corporate and Commercial Counsel

If litigation can be described as “war”, then general corporate counsel and commercial transactional legal representation can be described as “chess”, but where both sides can, and oftentimes do, win. This is the arena that seemingly exists below the sight lines. Hollywood and television can glamorize the courtroom dramas all they want, but legal counsel in a commercial setting, between business persons negotiating contracts, complying with governmental regulations, drafting joint venture agreements, forming business entities, addressing contingencies, and creating grist for the commerce mill is where lawyers provide invaluable service. Thus the “creative” side of the law, which we like to think we are pretty good at.

Trusts, Estates, Probate, and Administration

Benjamin Franklin said it best, when ruminating about the two certainties of life. So here is one of them (with the other never far behind). And while something may be certain, its impact is not. It is the impact that we can control through careful thought and precise legal planning. That makes all the difference. But rather than wax philosophical we will leave it at this for now: We bring objectivity, practicality, and empathy to the process of drafting Wills, Trusts, Health Care Directives, Powers of Attorney, and other related documents that bring peace of mind to our clients and great satisfaction to us.

Dispute Resolution

There are times, unfortunately, when things do not go according to plan, disputes arise, and the parties are not able (or sometimes are not willing) to resolve the matter themselves. This is the stuff of lawsuits. But there is always more than one way to skin a cat. For that reason, we are ready, willing, and able to prosecute or defend in the Courtroom when a good old-fashioned bare-knuckle fight is the only way out. But we are also ready, willing, and able to arbitrate and mediate the way to resolution. Either way, we are dogged in the pursuit of our clients’ interests.

Other Legal Practice Areas

Legal Practice Areas are as varied as human relations themselves. No law firm can do it all. However, even if you feel that your legal matter is not something that we can help you with, we would urge you to call us anyway — for three reasons. First, the description of our Legal Practice Areas is not exhaustive by any means. Second, sometimes what a client thinks may involve one area of the law, will in fact involve another one altogether. Third, if your matter is not something that we will handle, we have developed a comprehensive network of attorneys in both New York and New Jersey who practice in all types of legal disciplines, with whom we have enjoyed long-term professional and personal relationships, and in whose honesty, integrity, and ability we have great confidence. We are always willing to direct clients to these other counsel who may, for whatever reason, be better able to address the legal matter at hand. When we do, you can be sure that we will remain involved to whatever extent that you wish.