apple seeds LLC is a growing organization that provides indoor playground facilities, classes, birthday parties and other activities. As an emerging and growing business, apple seeds needed a business-minded legal partner who understood the challenges of being a middle market business. They needed help building the company from the ground floor up, and providing a solid foundation for future growth.  

Entrepreneur Matthew Viragh approached David Pfeffer, Chair of Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s Construction Practice, for legal and business counsel relating to a new and unique cinema to be opened in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce that the 2021 edition of Chambers USA has once again ranked our firm’s construction practice, and Partner and Construction Chair David Pfeffer.

On the latest Law Brief® episode, partner and chair of the Construction practice David Pfeffer joins partner and host Richard Schoenstein to discuss the future of office design and construction in New York City and the importance of returning to the office. David and Rich provide insight into the status of the design and development of office space and what trends will emerge as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are pleased to announce that Construction Group counsel Sean Scuderi has been named a 2020 Rising Star by Real Estate Weekly. With over ten years of legal experience, Sean is highlighted as a trusted advisor for industry clients in various commercial, real estate and construction business ventures and disputes.

Real Estate and Construction Groups Partner Eric Zipkowitz joins Litigation Partner and Host Richard Schoenstein as they explore “Remote Lawyering: Lessons From a Stay-at-Home Transactional Lawyer” on the latest episode of Law Brief. With his unique perspective of having continued to run and build upon a successful legal practice while working from home for the last seven years (starting way before it was either popular or so easy), Eric shares his unique insights into the path towards establishing and maintaining a work/home balance that is right for you. Rich and Eric also share tips for practicing law while also practicing self-care.

Construction Counsel Sean Scuderi joins Rich Schoenstein to explore “Lien Times: Securing Mechanics Liens for Preconstruction Services” on the latest episode of Law Brief. Sean and Rich break down recent developments concerning the ability to file mechanics liens for services performed prior to the commencement of actual construction. Listen to the episode.

Thirty-two lawyers from Tarter Krinsky & Drogin have been named to the 2020 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists, an increase from 2019. Last year, twenty-three firm lawyers were ranked as Super Lawyers and seven were ranked on the Rising Stars list, and this year, twenty-eight firm lawyers were ranked as Super Lawyers and four were ranked as Rising Stars.

We are pleased to announce that Construction Chair David Pfeffer has been named a 2020 New York Trailblazer by the New York Law Journal (NYLJ). The NYLJ’s list of New York Trailblazers recognizes attorneys who have been agents of change in terms of the practices, policies or technological advancement of their sector.

We are pleased to announce that eight of our lawyers have been named to the 2021 Best Lawyers in America list and one lawyer has been named to the 2021 Ones to Watch list.

The New York Law Journal has highlighted the promotion of three counsels to partner and the promotion of five associates to counsel.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce the promotion of the below three counsels to partner and the promotion of five associates to counsel.

On the latest episode of Law Brief, Construction Partner Laurie Stanziale and Building Studio Architects’ Michael Goldblum and John Field join Litigation Partner and host Rich Schoenstein to explore Urban Living After COVID-19. With years of collective design and construction experience, they provide insight into the impacts of COVID-19 on urban living and the design issues affecting residential real estate in large cities.

Construction Partner Eric Zipkowitz was quoted in the PincusCo article, “No NYC Construction Loans Provided in Nearly Two months, Even as New Building Filings Rise.” The article delves into the halt in the issuance of new construction loans to New York City developers over the last couple of months, despite the rise in permit applications. The COVID-19 related standstill comes amidst New York State having issued executive orders preventing the courts from accepting or recording non-essential agreements including building loan agreements. 

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce that the 2020 edition of Chambers USA has recognized our firm’s construction practice, two construction partners and one immigration partner.

Bill Weisner, Chair of the Real Estate Practice and Partner in the Construction and Commercial Finance Group joins Rich Schoenstein, host and Litigation partner to discuss replacing LIBOR.

Construction Partner and Chair David Pfeffer was quoted in Engineering News-Record (ENR) New York article, “Owner of the Year: NYC School Construction Authority, CEO Lorraine Grillo Driven by Speed, Efficiency.” The article delves into the New York City School Authority’s recent projects that pursue an alternative real estate initiative for building new schools under New York City School Construction Authority President and CEO Lorraine Grillo.

Construction partner Laurie Stanziale and Litigation partner and host Rich Schoenstein discuss Construction and the Neighbors in the latest episode of Law Brief, Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s podcast series. Laurie and Rich talk about what to do when construction projects require access to neighboring property, negotiating agreements in that regard or, if necessary, resolving related disputes in court.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s Construction, Labor & Employment and Real Estate practices have once again been recognized by U.S. News in the 2020 Best Law Firms rankings, and the Litigation practice has been newly named to the list.

The U.S. News Best Law Firms rankings are based on an extensive evaluation process, which includes client and lawyer evaluations, peer review and review of information submitted by law firms.

Thirty-two lawyers from Tarter Krinsky & Drogin have been named to the 2019 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists, a rise in Tarter Krinsky & Drogin attorneys awarded as top lawyers in New York. The annual Super Lawyers list recognizes the top five percent of lawyers in New York for their professional achievements. Lawyers are selected through a process that includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Construction chair David Pfeffer was extensively quoted in the Brick Underground article, "What does it take to get a group of NYC co-op shareholders to sell their whole building?”

The article explores whether it is possible for shareholders to agree unanimously to dissolve a NYC co-op and sell the whole building, which as the article notes, is what appears to have happened with 417 Park Avenue.

Construction partner Chip Pierce was recently named a fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America (CSLA), an invitation-only construction lawyer honorary society.

Real Estate partner Brian Beller, Real Estate associate Karen Schwimmer and Construction associates Cathleen Cassidy and Sean Scuderi have been named to Real Estate Weekly’s 2019 Rising Stars list for their outstanding contributions to their field.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce that the 2019 edition of Chambers USA has recognized our market-leading New York Construction practice, as well as two of our New York Construction and Immigration lawyers, David Pfeffer and Roxanne Levine.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce that three of its lawyers, Intellectual Property co-chair Amy Goldsmith, Immigration partner Roxanne Levine and Construction partner Laurie Stanziale, have been named to Law360’s 2019 Editorial Advisory Boards where they will help in planning Law360’s future coverage in their individual fields.

Construction chair David Pfeffer and partner Eric Zipkowitz have been named to Euromoney’s Legal Media Group's 2019 Construction & Real Estate Expert Guide, a reference used by in-house counsel worldwide for more than 20 years. This recognition is based on independent research, telephone interviews and general nomination by legal practitioners in more than 90 jurisdictions.

Construction chair David Pfeffer is quoted in Brick Underground’s article, “Closing credits: What are they and why would you negotiate for them?” The article explores the many risks associated with transactions that involve closing credits, which as the article explains, is a sum of money the seller pays the buyer at the closing, helps to reduce the actual price of a property while allowing for a higher recorded selling price. David explains, “If you misrepresent the price in a closing document, that would be a fraud.”

Leading mid-size, full-service law firm Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce the promotions of two associates to counsel, Michael Camporeale in the Real Estate and Construction practices and Joel Rosner in the Litigation practice.

Construction chair David Pfeffer was quoted in The Real Deal’s article, "Brooklyn’s Inventory Balloon,” which discusses the concerns some are having in regard to Brooklyn’s many new residential projects and how quickly the inventory can be absorbed. David states, "Developers feel there’s a lot of inventory in most neighborhoods, and sophisticated developers want to see absorption. There’s definitely going to be a pause in the market.” He continues, "We’re in a market that’s cooled off.”

Construction chair David Pfeffer was quoted in a recent Law360 article on “Real Estate Cases to Watch in 2019” on the legal implications of short-term rentals in densely populated cities across the United States. The article notes that short-term rentals continue to present a complex set of challenges to lawmakers in cities across the country.

Construction chair David Pfeffer was extensively quoted as a source in Law360’s year-end feature article, "NYC Real Estate Legislation, Regulation to Watch in 2019.” The article covered trends in the legislation and regulation areas that top real estate lawyers in New York will be watching in 2019, and included rezoning in various neighborhoods and the many questions that arise with short-term rentals, which are currently illegal in New York.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s Construction Group chair David Pfeffer played a significant role in the opening of the long-awaited Nitehawk Prospect Park, a 650-seat cinema in the completely redesigned and refurbished historic Pavilion Theater. David has represented founder Matthew Viragh and Nitehawk Cinemas in bringing the innovative concept of dine-in cinemas with alcohol service and film-related programming to NYC since its inception. David has been representing Nitehawk on business and legal services related to the acquisition, financing and construction and development of Nitehawk Prospect Park.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s Construction, Real Estate and Labor and Employment practices have once again been named to the 2019 U.S. News Best Law Firms list. The U.S. News Best Law Firms rankings are based on an extensive evaluation process, which includes client and lawyer evaluations, peer review and review of information submitted by law firms.

Construction chair David Pfeffer was featured in a Commercial Observer article that covered its 2nd Annual Healthcare Construction Forum, a half-day conference that explored the current national and regional healthcare issues in construction markets.

Thirty lawyers from Tarter Krinsky & Drogin have been named to the 2018 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists as top lawyers in New York. The annual Super Lawyers list recognizes the top five percent of lawyers in New York for their professional achievements. Lawyers are selected through a process that includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is the kind of firm where you can carve your own path as a lawyer, share ideas and to contribute your talents as part of a collaborative team. Each day creates opportunities to learn and to make an impact. The lawyers who came to our firm often tell us that they were looking for the next challenge in their legal careers and to be part of a team environment. An entrepreneurial, growing mid-size firm with a close-knit culture like Tarter Krinsky & Drogin can be just the right kind of change that you may be seeking. Take a look at Sean Scuderi’s story.

Construction Group chair David Pfeffer was quoted in Real Estate Law360’s feature, "NY Real Estate Legislation to Watch in the 2nd Half Of 2018." The article highlights areas of legislation and regulation that top New York real estate lawyers will be keeping a close watch on in the second half of the year. David is quoted in two areas: the rezoning of Gowanus and the potential impact of imminent legislation to regulate short-term rentals.

Construction Group chair David Pfeffer was quoted in Real Estate Law360’s feature, Real Estate Cases to Watch in the 2nd Half of 2018. In the article, David weighed in on the implications of the $76 million judgment against construction contractor Navillus Tile for its improper use of non-union labor.

Real Estate partner Saree Ptak and Construction partner Laurie Stanziale were named to Real Estate Weekly Leading Ladies 2018 list.

Construction chair David Pfeffer was featured in a Commercial Observer article that highlighted its 2nd Annual Higher Education Construction Forum, a half-day conference on the future of higher education development in the New York Metropolitan region. David moderated the panel, "Managing Higher Education’s Capital Programs, Development and Large Scale Renovations.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce that the 2018 edition of Chambers USA has once again recognized our Immigration and Construction lawyers, and Immigration practice. For the 13th consecutive year, Chambers highlighted Construction practice chair David Pfeffer as being among the top practitioners in the New York Construction field. In the New York Immigration category, the firm was recognized as a notable firm for the fourth time and, for the sixth consecutive year, Immigration partner Roxanne Levine was highlighted for representing multinational banking and cultural institutions in employee visa issues.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin continues to strategically grow its market-leading Real Estate practice to meet the growing needs of its clients, welcoming senior associates Caryn Block and David Cohen to the firm.

Construction chair David Pfeffer was quoted in a CoStar article, “NYC Office Market Grapples with Old Buildings, New Work Styles.” The article addressed the shift in how companies are using space and how the shared working environment trend is affecting older buildings. Regarding shared workspaces, David stated, "Large companies are starting to embrace shared workspaces with more frequency for large numbers of employees. Younger professionals want dynamic environments.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin continues to strategically grow its market-leading Construction practice to meet the growing needs of its clients, welcoming senior associate Cathleen Cassidy to the firm. Cathleen represents owners and developers in transactional construction matters. She drafts and negotiates license, access, design and construction agreements. As a litigator, Cathleen has experience litigating claims related to license and access agreements as well as construction contracts.

GlobeSt.com noted the recent lawyer promotions of Brian Beller and Scott Schneider to partner in the Real Estate practice; Jing Xia to partner in the Intellectual Property practice; and John Rondello to counsel in the Construction practice. GlobeSt.com is an online commercial real estate content platform.

Real Estate Weekly highlighted Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s recent lawyer promotions, noting that Brian Beller and Scott Schneider were promoted to partner in the Real Estate practice; Jing Xia became a partner in the Intellectual Property practice; and John Rondello was promoted to counsel in the Construction practice.

Construction chair David Pfeffer was quoted in two Construction Dive articles, “The Opioid Crisis: The Construction Industry's Simmering Threat” as well as its follow up, “The Opioid Crisis: Waging Battle Against a Deadly, Costly Problem.” Part one of the report addressed the opioid crisis and safety concerns in the construction industry and part two addressed preventing abuse, drug testing and treatment.

The New York Law Journal’s On the Move column noted the recent promotions of Tarter Krinsky & Drogin lawyers Brian Beller and Scott Schneider, who were promoted to partner in the Real Estate practice; Jing Xia, who became a partner in the Intellectual Property practice; and John Rondello was promoted to counsel in the Construction practice.

Bloomberg's Big Law Business highlighted Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s recent lawyer promotions in its Wake Up Call column.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce the promotions of four lawyers, three to partner and one to counsel. The firm's new partners are Brian Beller (Real Estate), Scott Schneider (Real Estate) and Dr. Jing Xia (Intellectual Property). John Rondello (Construction) was promoted to counsel.

Construction practice chair David Pfeffer was quoted in a Real Estate Weekly article, "U.S. Opioid Crisis Putting Focus on Construction Sector Drug Testing.” The article explores the issue of adding mandatory drug testing to the NYC Council’s construction safety bill as part of improved training standards for construction workers, but this remains a tension point between organized labor and merit shop workers.

Construction chair David Pfeffer was recently quoted in a Commercial Observer article, "Putting on Developers’ Hard Hats, Private Equity Managers Break Risky New Ground.” The article discusses the increase in real estate private equity funds that are making ground-up development a prominent part of their business strategy.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s Construction, Real Estate and Labor and Employment practices have been named to the 2018 U.S. News Best Law Firms list. The U.S. News Best Law Firms rankings are based on an evaluation process which includes client and lawyer evaluations, peer review and review of information submitted by law firms in the formal submission process.

Several notable Brooklyn development projects have one thing in common – middle-market, full-service law firm Tarter Krinsky & Drogin has helped the principals avoid various legal potholes and set the projects on the road to completion. The firm’s top-ranked Construction practice partners with clients on some of the most significant development projects in New York and elsewhere across the United States.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin continues to strategically grow its practices to meet the growing needs of its clients. Michael E. Camporeale joined the firm as an associate in the Construction and Real Estate practices, and Tara McDevitt and Sean Scuderi joined the firm as associates in the Construction practice.

This year, 28 lawyers from Tarter Krinsky & Drogin have been named to the 2017 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists as top lawyers in the state. The annual Super Lawyers list recognizes the top five percent of lawyers in New York for their professional achievements. Attorneys are selected through a process that includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Four Tarter Krinsky & Drogin attorneys were ranked on the Rising Stars list, which recognizes the top 2.5 percent of lawyers who either are under the age of 40 or have been in practice for 10 years or less.

Leaders in the Law recently featured two of Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s recent high-profile construction matters in a recent article, "Tarter Krinsky’s Construction Practice Leads Cultural Revivals in Brooklyn and Queens.” The highlighted matters reinforce the firm’s focus on advising the development community behind the latest hotel, residential, retail and arts projects in cutting-edge New York City neighborhoods.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin continues to grow its dynamic and top-ranked Construction practice to serve the needs of our clients. We welcomed senior Construction associate Tara McDevitt, whose practice focuses on construction litigation claims and disputes. She also provides legal assistance with drafting negotiations, contracts and agreements.

Construction chair David Pfeffer, an alumnus of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, was profiled by his alma mater in an article that highlighted his ability to resolve disputes and help clients achieve their business goals while also doing positive things for the community.

TKD is proud to be a part of the transformation of the long abandoned RKO Keith Theater in Flushing, Queens. After shuttering its doors in 1984, the building, of which portions of its interior were designated as a landmark, has been through a series of owners, criminal activity, vandalism and general disrepair.

Our client, Xin Development, which purchased the property in 2016, is carefully dismantling the landmarked interiors, which will be restored off site and reinstalled in the new building. The dilapidated eyesore will be replaced with a gleaming residential building, bringing new life and vitality to this block and the Flushing, Queens neighborhood.

Globest.com featured Tarter Krinsky & Drogin and Construction Chair David Pfeffer’s recent lead role in the joint venture behind the Brooklyn Mirage in its acquisition and development of the enormous dance club and entertainment complex in the industrial corridor of East Williamsburg in its Middle Market Digest Northeast column, which includes a roundup of recent deals, leases and executive moves from the past week.

We are representing ScreenBid in the acquisition, lease and reconstruction of the famous 1930 Vogue Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. This is a significant move for Screenbid as it is the web-based company’s first foray to a 'bricks-and-mortar' premises, particularly as retail has moved from the street to the web. The deal will breathe new life to the thriving Hollywood theatre district and restore this iconic theatre back to its original splendor.

Construction Practice Chair David Pfeffer and his team represented the joint venture behind the Brooklyn Mirage in its acquisition and development of the enormous dance club and entertainment complex in the industrial corridor of East Williamsburg.

Construction chair David Pfeffer was quoted in an ENR New York article, "Revenue on the Rise for Regional Firms," which highlighted the surge in construction activity and spending in New York in 2017. David said that "the pace of new construction, while adding to the employment numbers, has actually caused a shortage of experienced, skilled laborers." But he also pointed out that "lenders have begun tightening the spigot for financing of new projects as vacancy rates in both the office and residential sector level off."

Commentary from Construction Chair David Pfeffer was featured in a Law360 article, “Real Estate Construction Labor Shortage Making Banks Wary.” The article discusses the strain that the frenetic pace of real estate construction has put on core U.S. markets – particularly in New York – on the labor workforce, which in turn is causing banks to be wary about providing construction loans.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce that the 2017 edition of Chambers USA has recognized the Immigration practice and Immigration and Construction lawyers.

On April 13, 2017, the Appellate Division, First Department affirmed the August 2016 decision of the New York County Supreme Court in which TKD secured a victory on behalf of our client, 152 W. 58th Owners Corp., where our client was awarded license fees for access by the petitioner, as well as reimbursement of our client’s engineering and legal fees and a per diem penalty of $500 if the work was not completed during the court-ordered license term.

Construction Group chair David Pfeffer was featured in a Commercial Observer article that highlighted the speakers at the April 5 Commercial Observer’s Development University Conference on higher education. The event featured speakers from top construction and engineering firms, as well as universities in the New York metropolitan region.

During Women’s History Month, we have been recognizing the accomplishments of the women of Tarter Krinsky & Drogin. Learn more about Senior Compliance Administrator and Paralegal Hagit Feder.

Real Estate Weekly featured the recent promotions of Gina Piazza and Christopher Tumulty in its Deals and Dealmakers section.

Bisnow recently featured an article on key concepts on the New York real estate market that emerged from the Anchin Construction & Development Forum. Tarter Krinsky & Drogin had a strong showing at this year’s Anchin Forum, with Construction chair David Pfeffer and partner Laurie Stanziale moderating panels.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin recently announced the promotions of three lawyers, David Kleinmann and Gina Piazza to partner, and Chris Tumulty to counsel.

TKD continues to grow with the addition of two associates to the firm.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce the promotions of three lawyers, two to partner and one to counsel.

Our client, Williamsburg, Brooklyn-based Nitehawk Cinema was featured in The New York Times for blazing the trail to repeal a Prohibition-era law banning the sale of alcohol in movie theaters.

Construction Group partner Laurie Stanziale and Cooperative and Condominium chair Steve Troup published an article for Law360 on “What to Know About Licensing Agreements With Neighbors.”

Laurie Stanziale and Amy Goldsmith authored “Classic or chaotic, copyrighting architectural works is an art form” for Real Estate Weekly.

In the wake of recent safety incidents at construction sites throughout the City during a record building boom, Mayor deBlasio and Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Rick Chandler have announced a major code enforcement sweep of construction sites over the next 90 days and increased penalties for serious construction-safety lapses.

David Pfeffer was quoted in “Reinventing New York Real Estate” in Crain’s New York Business. The Bronx is experiencing residential and commercial real estate development growth. Incentives have encouraged mixed-income residential growth but David explains that the challenge will be if market-rate housing can be made without incentives. 

David Pfeffer and John Walsh wrote the article "Good Agreements Make Good Neighbors: The Benefits of Negotiating License Agreements to Access Neighboring Property."

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce that the 2015 edition of Chambers USA has recognized the Construction and Immigration Practices.

Cayuga Capital Management was featured in The Real Deal article “Bushwick’s Buzz” which covered their acquisition of 626 Bushwick Avenue. The former St. Mark’s Evangelical Church is being converted to 99 rental units.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin represented Cayuga Capital Management LLC, a private real estate investment firm based in New York City, in the acquisition of the Colossal warehouse at 85 Wythe Avenue.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is representing Tishman Speyer in the construction of a 30-story office tower in Atlanta. The project will complete its Three Alliance Center development that already features two signature office towers and a five-star residential tower in Atlanta’s Buckhead submarket.

The firm is assisting Tishman Speyer in the design, engineering  and construction agreements for its development of a luxury residential rental property on a 1.2 million-square-foot site in Long Island City.  Tishman Speyer is developing the property in partnership with H&R Real Estate Investment Trust. This matter was profiled in The Real Deal article “Tishman Speyer, H&R Real Estate to develop LIC luxury rental” on June 16.

The 2014 edition of Chambers USA has recognized the Construction Practice Group as one of the top construction practices in New York City. Chambers has also recognized Practice Chair David Pfeffer, and Partners Andrew Koerner and Roxanne Levine as leaders in their field.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin represented Tishman Speyer in the design and construction agreements for their three-building Green Towers Brasilia project. Banco do Brasil will occupy all 953,000 square feet of the building, which is considered to be the largest lease in transaction in Tishman Speyer’s history.

We represented The Masters School, a coed day and boarding school for fifth through twelfth grade students, in connection with a $32 million tax exempt bond offering with the Dobbs Ferry Local Development Corporation and TD Bank, N.A.

Tarter, Krinsky & Drogin represented Prestige Plumbing & Heating, Inc., a plumbing and heating subcontractor, in a case against B&B Construction, Inc., a general contractor, related to certain renovation activities at a residential property in New York City.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin represented Triangle Equities in the acquisition of Triangle Plaza Hub, a $40 million two-building development in the South Bronx.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP represented Gracie Terrace Apartment Corp., a cooperative apartment corporation, against a shareholder who sought to enjoin the co-op from effective repairs to their apartment.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin represented Cayuga Capital Management LLC, a private real estate investment firm, in the purchase, leasing and financing of the new Playland Motel on Rockaway Beach Boulevard.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin represented Link Real Estate NYC in the acquisition of Key New York. Link Real Estate is a young, full service firm that handles residential marketing and leasing, as well as sales.

Steven Troup was featured in the Q&A section of the Cooperator’s July 2013 issue. The article, titled “Unfairly Charged” addresses the question of how a co-op homeowner should handle a dispute with management about unfair expenses incurred.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is representing Tishman Speyer Properties in the drafting and negotiation of the architectural and construction agreements for Lumina, a luxury condominium at 201 Folsom Street in San Francisco, CA.

In a lawsuit filed on June 5, 2013, our client, the Board of Managers of the 150 Nassau Condominium, is seeking an injunction to protect the safety and well-being of the condominium's residents and its landmarked and historic building located at 150 Nassau Street in New York City. The lawsuit alleges that the owner of the retail unit, Spruce NYC LLC, recently leased its unit to a "Denny's," a fast-food chain open 24-hours a day and often an incubator for violent and disorderly conduct.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin is pleased to announce that the 2013 edition of Chambers USA has recognized the Construction Practice Group as one of the top construction practices in New York City. Chambers has also recognized Construction Practice Chair David Pfeffer and Immigration Practice partners Roxanne Levine and Andrew Koerner as top practitioners in their fields. 

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin represented real estate developer Alf Naman of Alf Naman Real Estate Advisors in the acquisition, financing, and development of a property located at 515 West 23rd Street in Manhattan’s West Chelsea neighborhood. 

David J. Pfeffer, Co-chair of the Construction Practice, moderated “New Developments in Higher Education,” a seminar hosted by the Greater New York Construction User Council.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin represented Cayuga Capital Management LLC, a private real estate investment firm based in New York City, in the sale of 44 Berry Street to ING Clarion Partners for $27 million on May 12, 2011.

An article on “How To Get Work in 2011?” in the January 1, 2011 issue of ENR New York (Engineering News-Record) quotes David J. Pfeffer on the outlook for the New York region’s design and construction market. The article also appeared in the December 13, 2010 issue of New York Construction.

The Real Deal recently asked Eric Zipkowitz to comment on the plans of property owner Empire State Building Associates to fund building improvements through cash flow.

David J. Pfeffer, a Partner in Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s Construction Practice Group, was quoted in the New York Construction magazine article on “Deal Builders.” 

David J. Pfeffer, a Partner in Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s Construction Practice Group, was recently retained by the National Dance Institute (NDI) in connection with the design and construction agreements for its new headquarters in Harlem. NDI expects to occupy its new space in 2011.

Partner David J. Pfeffer and Counsel Andrew S. Koerner recently coauthored an article in Real Estate Weekly titled “Foreign Investments Help Fund Commercial Development.”

Triangle Equities, the owner and developer of Triangle Junction Mall, recently announced the $29 million refinancing of the 600,000-square-foot shopping center in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn.

Eric Zipkowitz, a partner in Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s Real Estate Practice Group, was quoted in the Real Deal article "Weak new development sales spur buyer guarantees."

HRH Construction LLC filed a Chapter 11 petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York on September 6, 2009. The Creditors’ Committee selected Tarter Krinsky & Drogin as its counsel to represent it in HRH’s Chapter 11 case.

Recent news coverage of real estate development in the Bushwick and Williamsburg sections of Brooklyn featured Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s client Cayuga Capital Management LLC and its principals Jacob Sacks and Jamie Wiseman.

On May 6, 2021, The Commercial Observer's virtual construction safety forum brought together leading companies in development, construction, architecture, engineering and law, and top public officials and city agencies to explore emerging health and safety trends, procedures, and policies and integrate them into practice to improve project performance. 

Anchin’s Future Forward 2021 Conference brought together major players in the construction community to discuss the future of development and design in New York City. On February 9, Construction Partner and Chair David Pfeffer moderated the panel, “How COVID will Permanently Impact Office Design and Workplace Strategies of the Future.” 

The November 9, 2020 issue of the Mann Report features Construction Co-Chair and Partner David Pfeffer’s and Counsel Sean Scuderi’s article entitled, “Pre-Construction Services: To Lien or Not to Lien.” The article delves into the decision rendered in the case Old Post Road Associates LLC v. LRC Construction LLC, by the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, Second Department.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced phased reopening of businesses, with the construction industry included in Phase 1. The Governor’s announcement means project owners in New York should prepare for construction to restart. Given the long pause of most projects in New York, contractors and subcontractors will first report to their most profitable projects where payments are made timely.  We recommend that owners consider taking the following steps before the construction ban is lifted to successfully restart their projects.

Under what circumstances can a building owner legally remove artwork from a building? In 2018, a group of graffiti artists was awarded $6.75 million dollars for the improper removal of their art. On February 20, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld that lower court's ruling. In Castillo vs. Cohen et al, 950 F.3d 155 (2d Cir. 2020), known as the 5Pointz case, the appellate court issued a decision that provides needed guidance to building owners and graffiti artists alike.

As we start a new year, we would like to share with you some of our most popular legal alerts from 2019. Our top-read alerts range from construction, labor & employment, tax, immigration, trusts & estates, cooperatives & condominiums, real estate, corporate & securities, litigation and intellectual property, reflecting the broad array of our full-service practice. We hope that our alerts have been valuable to you and your colleagues, and demonstrate our commitment to providing helpful information to you.

As we head into summer, we would like to share with you some of our most popular legal alerts from the first half of 2019. Our top-read alerts range from construction, labor and employment, tax, corporate and securities, immigration, cooperatives and condominiums, commercial leasing, real estate, litigation and intellectual property, reflecting the broad array of our full-service practice. We hope that our alerts have been valuable to you and your colleagues, and demonstrate our commitment to providing helpful information to you.

On February 26, 2019, Justice Melissa Crane of the New York Supreme Court granted a developer the right to underpin (i.e. permanently encroach upon the foundation of an adjacent property) in her ruling on the developer's RPAPL §881 proceeding. It has long been held, and is set forth in the legislative history of RPAPL §881, that the proceeding is for temporary access to a neighbor's property in order to make improvements to your property and is not a vehicle by which the court can grant the right to permanently encroach or otherwise alter the neighbor's property.

As we start a new year, we would like to share with you some of our most popular legal alerts from 2018. Our top-read alerts range from construction, corporate and securities, labor and employment, tax and intellectual property, reflecting the broad array of our full-service practice. We hope that our alerts have been valuable to you and your colleagues, and demonstrate our commitment to providing helpful information to you.

Gaining access to a neighbor’s property during construction requires attempting to negotiate an access agreement and if that fails, litigating the access through an RPAPL §881 proceeding. That is nothing new. But what happens when these negotiations are about much more than just access or not about access at all? In this alert, Construction partner Laurie Stanziale explores how and whether courts will continue to entertain disputes between neighbors about construction, even if no damage has occurred and no access is required and/or whether or not the DOB will be compelled to take a more active role in these disputes.

The deadline for compliance with Local Law 26 of 2004, which mandated the installation of automatic fire suppression sprinklers in many buildings in New York City, is fast approaching, with the next compliance deadline set for July 1, 2018. Here's what building owners should know about the upcoming deadline for compliance with Local Law 26's sprinkler installation mandates.

As we wrote in April 2017, the case of Gilbane Bldg. Co./TDX Constr. Corp., v. St. Paul Fire & Mar. Ins. has become the harbinger of the insurance world in regard to the effectiveness of an additional insured endorsement. On March 27, 2018, New York State's highest court affirmed the decision of the appellate panel, which held that there was no entitlement to coverage to a party named as an additional insured when such party did not have a written contract with the insured.

Here is an update to our prior client alert titled, "Construction Industry Double-Breasting: Recent Trends and Best Practices," which now includes additional information about a recent court decision impacting employers in the construction field.

It is not uncommon that companies with cash flow problems or those that have a desire to be paid on expedited terms assign their accounts receivables as collateral for a secured loan or they factor them. This can happen in any industry. What impacts can this have on a construction project when a contractor or vendor assigns or factors its accounts receivable?

In connection with obtaining the NYC Department of Buildings' (DOB) approval of protection plans, which involve the installation of protection of an adjacent property, either physically on the adjacent property or in the air space above the adjacent property, the party performing the demolition, construction or renovation work now needs to provide proof to the DOB that it has an access (license) agreement with that adjacent property owner for the proposed protection or has filed a RPAPL §881 proceeding to gain such access to the property from the court.

While each year there are reports and statistics regarding the annual number of construction accidents and fatalities in New York City, 2016 will likely be remembered as the year when a construction accident could, and did, lead to criminal charges and convictions of construction companies and individual supervisors.

In September 2016, the Appellate Division, First Department decided a case that has significant ramifications on insurance coverage on construction projects between construction managers and contractors.

Construction associate Sean Scuderi co-authored an article on the benefits and pitfalls of outsourcing email services to a hosting provider in the New York Law Journal’s special e-discovery issue on February 6.

Construction chair and partner David Pfeffer authored an article in Law360 on "The Conundrum With Short-Term Rentals." The article explores what New York City landlords and tenants need to know about how recent regulations on short-term apartment rental services such as Airbnb, HomeAway, VBRO and Roomorama affect their properties.

In an effort to collect more than one billion dollars in outstanding fines, the City of New York is offering an amnesty program that allows participants to resolve violations

The New York City Department of Buildings ("DOB") made significant changes to the New York City Building Code (the "Code") in its 2014 version.

Intellectual Property partner Amy Goldsmith and Construction partner Laurie Stanziale wrote, “Whose Line, Drawing Or Plan Is It Anyway?" which was part 2 of a two-part article for Law360. The article addresses owner-architect agreements and instruments of service for the parties to set forth rights and obligations.

Intellectual Property partner Amy Goldsmith and Construction partner Laurie Stanziale wrote “Whose Line, Drawing Or Plan Is It Anyway?”, which is part 1 of a two-part article, for Law360.

The days of unions having a firm, if not solitary, hold on construction in New York City have begun to wane.

The Courts of New York County and the First Department have historically been silent regarding, or overly against, awards of license fees and attorney's fees for Respondents in connection with RPAPL §881 actions.

In the wake of recent safety incidents at construction sites throughout the City during a record building boom, Mayor deBlasio and Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Rick Chandler have announced a major code enforcement sweep of construction sites over the next 90 days and increased penalties for serious construction-safety lapses.

In recent years, construction projects have seen increasing benefits from the use of advanced planning and design technologies.  One such technology is Building Information Modeling (known as “BIM”), and it is helping cut costs for owners and streamline project development.

In a major metropolitan setting, open space can be hard to come by.  In New York City, the facades of many residential and commercial buildings extend right up to the property line, or near enough to prevent access to some exterior walls without encroaching on neighboring properties.  As a result, it is often extremely difficult, if not impossible, to make repairs or renovations to an existing structure without physically entering onto an adjoining parcel.  

Good Agreements Make Good Neighbors: Preparing A Fair Temporary License Agreement to Avoid Court Ordered Access BIM: Building Information Modeling and Construction Projects

In a major metropolitan setting, open space can be hard to come by. In New York City, the facades of many residential and commercial buildings extend right up to the property line, or near enough to prevent access to some exterior walls without encroaching on neighboring properties. As a result, it is often extremely difficult, if not impossible, to make repairs or renovations to an existing structure without physically entering onto an adjoining parcel.

In recent years, construction projects have seen increasing benefits from the use of advanced planning and design technologies. One such technology is Building Information Modeling (known as “BIM”), and it is helping cut costs for owners and streamline project development.

Delivering a crushing blow to an already distressed real estate market, New York's highest court recently issued a landmark decision in Roberts v. Tishman Speyer Properties, L.P. Depending on how the state's lower courts apply Roberts, the owners could be on the hook for tens of millions if dollars in rent rebates to tenants who were charged market-rate rents.

In the wake of the financial meltdown and subsequent signs of economic recovery, opportunities are becoming more prevalent for those looking to diversify and expand their investments. Luckily, there are various ways to acquire funding for development projects that are both available and underutilized. The Employment-Based visa program is one such tool, particularly the EB-5 visa category. 

Three Strategies for Dealing with Balking Purchasers Avoiding & Documenting Construction Claims

In today's residential real estate market, balking purchasers are a major challenge for developers. Developers have several tools to counter these increasingly common and harmful tactics and achieve their primary objectives of avoiding costly disputes, capitalizing on their investment and compelling balking purchasers to comply with the agreements they signed.

Today's marketplace presents new challenges to both owners and contractors during the construction process. The most important steps that both parties to a construction project can take to mitigate these risks, at least to some degree, are to know their contracts, implement procedures to administer those contracts effectively, and document their progress on the project.