Kramer Levin Wins $24 Million on Summary Judgment for Gamma Real Estate

On Jan. 4, 2017, Kramer Levin won a $24 million judgment against the developers of a supertall tower in Sutton Place.

Kramer Levin’s client, Gamma Real Estate, had loaned the developers funds to erect a 1,000-foot-tall, ultra-luxury condominium tower on 58th Street in Manhattan. The developers failed to repay, and tried to frustrate collection by causing the borrower entities to file bankruptcy petitions.

Kramer Levin persuaded a New York County Supreme Court Commercial Division Justice that this misconduct by the developers triggered individual “bad boy” guarantees. Kramer Levin successfully moved for summary judgment, showing that the developers had no defenses and are personally obligated to pay Gamma $24 million.

This summary judgment win was reported in the press and follows a string of victories that Kramer Levin has obtained for Gamma. In two other proceedings, Kramer Levin has defeated multiple claims and requests for relief by the tower’s now-former developers.

Update: On Aug. 30, 2017, The Real Deal reported that one of three development company partners ordered to pay the $24 million had fled the country.