Practice Area
Civil Litigation Attorney — New York & New Jersey
Prepared for trial. Positioned to settle.
When negotiation fails, leverage comes from readiness. We litigate civil disputes for businesses and individuals across New York and New Jersey state and federal courts — and we prepare every matter as if it will be tried, because the best settlements go to the side that's ready for court.
Our north star is the most economical resolution for you — measured in fees, time, and distraction from your business. Skilled negotiation and mediation resolve most disputes at a fraction of the cost of trial, and we tell you honestly when settling, fighting, or walking away serves you best.
Matters we handle
- Contract disputes — breach of contract, terminations, payment disputes, and business divorce
- Mechanics liens — filing, perfecting, foreclosing, and defending against liens for contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and owners
- Trade secrets — misappropriation claims, restrictive covenant disputes, and protective measures
- Construction claims — delay, defect, and payment claims; default and convenience terminations
- Commercial and civil claims — for businesses and individuals alike
For businesses and individuals
You don't need to be a corporation to get serious representation. Whether you're a homeowner in a contract dispute with a contractor, a contractor enforcing your right to payment, or a company that needs a business litigation attorney in Rockland County, you get direct access to your attorney — not a case number.
Request a Free Consultation →Good to Know
Civil Litigation — FAQ
What are the stages of a civil lawsuit?
Most cases move through five phases: a demand and pre-suit negotiation, pleadings (the complaint and answer), discovery (exchanging documents and testimony), motions and settlement discussions, and — if needed — trial and judgment enforcement. Many disputes resolve at the first or second stage when the other side sees you are represented and prepared. A free consultation tells you where your dispute sits and what resolving it will realistically take.
Someone breached a contract with me. What should I do first?
Three things, in order: preserve everything (the contract, emails, texts, invoices, photos), avoid confrontations that create bad evidence, and get a legal read before you respond. The first letter the other side receives often shapes the entire dispute — a properly framed demand letter resolves many cases without a lawsuit. Bring your documents to a free consultation and we will map your options.
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien?
Less time than you think — in some cases only a few months from your last day of work or delivery, and the deadlines differ sharply between New York and New Jersey and between commercial and residential projects. Missing the window permanently extinguishes lien rights that could have secured your payment. If you are owed money on a project, contact us now, not when the file is cold.
A mechanics lien was filed against my property. What now?
A lien clouds your title and can block refinancing or sale, but you have real options: demanding an itemized statement, bonding the lien off, challenging defects in how it was filed, or forcing the lienor to commence foreclosure or release it. Several of these are time-sensitive. We act for owners as well as contractors, so we know both playbooks.
I think a former employee or competitor took our trade secrets. What can we do?
Act fast — courts protect trade secrets for businesses that move promptly to protect themselves. Remedies include emergency injunctions, damages under federal and state trade secret law, and enforcement of NDAs and restrictive covenants. We also help you shore up the protections (access controls, agreements, exit protocols) that make your next case stronger.
Will my case actually go to trial?
Most civil cases settle, but settlements are won through preparation. We build every case as if it will be tried — that readiness is usually what produces a favorable resolution short of trial.
What does litigation cost, and can I recover attorney’s fees?
At the free consultation we give you an honest assessment of the claim, the likely cost trajectory, and whether litigation makes economic sense — including when walking away is the smarter play. Fee recovery depends on your contract and the statutes involved; some claims, including certain lien and wage claims, carry fee-shifting provisions we factor into strategy from day one.
How long will my case take?
A demand-letter resolution can take weeks; a litigated commercial case typically runs months to a few years depending on the court, the complexity, and how hard the other side fights. We give you a realistic timeline at the outset and update it at every stage — you will always know where your case stands.