SIGNIFICANT REPRESENTATIONS

Employment Law
Business Services

EMPLOYMENT LAW

WAGE AND HOUR CASES

Obtained a high six figure class action settlement against the nation’s largest recreation company for allegedly misappropriating gratuities to managers and other supervisory employees.
Negotiated a mid-six figure settlement on behalf of assistant project managers and administrative assistants working for one of the largest construction companies in New York City.
Represented account executives at a major international corporation who were misclassified and denied overtime compensation. Successfully negotiated a mid six-figure settlement shortly after filing a lawsuit in Federal Court.
Negotiated a six-figure settlement for a group of restaurant workers who were denied minimum wage and overtime compensation by an international restaurant chain.
Represented a group of telephone operators who were denied overtime, although they worked well over 40 hours per week. The case was filed in Federal Court and was resolved in favor of our clients.
Negotiated a significant settlement for a researcher at an international financial company, who despite being paid salary, was entitled to overtime pay.

DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT

Obtained a mid-six figure settlement on behalf of a sales representative working for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies who alleged he was fired in retaliation for complaining about age discrimination.
Negotiated a mid-six figure settlement on behalf of a banker working for one of the world’s largest financial institutions who alleged age discrimination and retaliation.
Secured a six-figure settlement for a computer technician working for a well-known New York City based hedge fund who alleged racial discrimination and overtime pay violations.
Obtained a pre-lawsuit settlement for an African American man who alleged he was the victim of racial discrimination at an international multimedia company owned by a well-known television personality.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS/SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS

Represented the Chief Financial Officer of a New York City based hedge fund regarding his employment agreement with the company.
Obtained severance payments for the President of an international manufacturing company who alleged his contract was not renewed due to his national origin.
Obtained severance payments on behalf of two executives at one of the world’s largest music publishing companies, who alleged they were subjected to age discrimination.
Negotiated considerable severance payments for a woman who was terminated from a Fortune 500 cosmetics company less than one week after announcing her pregnancy.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Presently serving as general counsel to an expanding New York City based private equity fund.
Currently representing a myriad of small and mid-sized businesses in a variety of industries including: entertainment, internet, real estate and service industry.
Represented the owner of a popular New York City restaurant whose insurance company denied coverage when the restaurant was sued. Successfully obtained a dismissal of the lawsuit and negotiated with the insurance company for reimbursement of all the business owner’s costs and expenses associated with defending the action.
Obtained a dismissal of a product liability action, under Fed. R. Evid. 702, where the plaintiff sued a nationally known yacht manufacturer following a catastrophic accident on navigable waters. See Decision of Interest: Southern District Expert Witness Failed to Attempt to Reconstruct Accident or Test His Own Theories of Design Safety, NYLJ, July 22, 2004, at 21.
Successfully drafted and argued an appeal in a benchmark tort case where the Appellate Division First Department refused to further expand upon the duties owed by a landlord. See Anthony Lin, Landlords Need Not Cover Radiators, Judges Determine, NYLJ, July 15, 2005, at 1.
Represented a major east-coast real estate developer in breach of contract action relating to a $70 million dollar condominium project where calculation and allocation of profits were at issue.
Obtained a dismissal of an action filed against a cooperative complex in the Appellate Division, Second Department where it was determined plaintiff’s affidavit submitted in opposition to the defendant’s summary judgment motion was designed to avoid the consequences of her earlier testimony. See Israel v. Fairharbor Owners, Inc., 20 A.D.3d 392, 798 N.Y.S.2d 139 (2d Dept., 2005).
Prompted a favorable settlement in a high profile toxic mold exposure action which had received significant media coverage, where it was demonstrated that plaintiff expert’s collection methods might have led to falsely elevated levels of Stachybotrys and Chaetomium.
Successfully drafted and argued a summary judgment motion which dismissed an action filed against a commercial landowner where it was demonstrated the plaintiff’s expert affidavit was defective, as it attempted to establish causation based upon a condition observed nearly ten years post accident.
Obtained a dismissal of an action filed against a commercial landlord in the Appellate Division, First Department, where the plaintiff attempted to defeat a summary judgment motion using an affidavit, which materially contradicted his earlier sworn testimony. In its decision, the court held that although issues of fact and credibility are not ordinarily determined on a motion for summary judgment, the self-serving affidavit submitted by the plaintiff warranted dismissal. See Fernandez v. VLA Realty, LLC, 45 A.D.3d 391, 845 N.Y.S.2d 304, 2007 N.Y. Slip Op. 08861, (1st Dept., 2007).
Represented a commercial landlord sued by a fire fighter for injuries sustained during a fire. Obtained a dismissal at the Appellate Division, Second Department when it was determined the landlord did not have prior notice of a dangerous condition on the premises.
Obtained a dismissal upon summary judgment on behalf of the owner of a landmark building sued by a plaintiff who underwent a complete facial reconstruction following a fall on the premises. During discovery it was determined that the fall was a result of a rare cardiac condition, not a defect in the premises.
Represented the owner of a shopping center in an action where a plaintiff who sustained catastrophic injuries during an assault on the premises alleged negligent security. Case settled for nuisance value at mediation, while summary judgment motions were pending. See Verdicts and Settlements, NYLJ, February 4, 2008, at 5.