Jeff is also an experienced commercial litigator who has handled matters in virtually every major area of commercial and complex civil litigation over the course of his 35 years at Kramer Levin. He has represented corporations, partnerships and individuals — both as plaintiffs and defendants — in commercial tort and contract actions, real estate cases, employment disputes, securities and shareholder suits, tax and accounting matters, trusts and estates controversies, business breakups and dissolutions, false advertising cases, and a wide variety of complex commercial disputes across a diverse range of industries and businesses.
Jeff has represented clients before state and federal trial courts and appellate courts in New York and across the country, as well as in mediations and commercial arbitrations. A skilled advocate in and out of the courtroom, Jeff has often been called on by lawyers from other practice groups within the firm to help their clients resolve business and commercial disputes, not only after a lawsuit has been filed, but also when litigation has been threatened or is being considered.
In corporate matters, Jeff has represented public and private companies, as well as their officers and directors, defending them against securities fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claims, accounting malpractice claims, consumer fraud claims, and a comprehensive range of contract and business tort claims. He represented a business partner in a dispute with his partners, and guided his client through the successful takeover of the business as sole owner. He has represented a New York-based broker-dealer and its principals against employment discrimination claims and in connection with regulatory investigations concerning alleged insider trading.
In the real estate arena, Jeff has represented many New York commercial and residential developers in connection with a wide variety of matters, ranging from construction disputes with contractors and subcontractors to private contract disputes with individual condominium owners and purchasers. He has represented banks and other lenders in prosecuting dozens of foreclosure and guaranty litigations. He has also represented real estate owners and borrowers, defending them against lenders’ foreclosure and guaranty claims. In addition to representing real estate clients in courts of general jurisdiction, he has represented them in U.S. Bankruptcy Court and in landlord-tenant court.
In the trusts and estates field, Jeff has represented executors as well as objecting parties in will contests. He has represented trustees and trusts against claims of wrongdoing, and has prosecuted litigation on behalf of beneficiaries seeking to set aside trusts or remove the trustees. In litigations and proceedings related to estate planning, he has litigated cases involving disputed powers of attorney and insurance policies and other contested assets.
Jeff carefully guides his clients through the complexities and nuances of modern litigation practice, from pleadings and discovery through motion practice, hearings and appeals. He prides himself on thoroughly explaining issues and strategic choices to his clients so they can make informed decisions at each stage. He does this with sophisticated corporate clients experienced in commercial litigation as well as with new clients who have never or rarely litigated before. He believes that only a thoroughly informed client will be satisfied with the ultimate outcome of a case.
