Legal Talk for Co-ops and Condos
Episodes
60 episodes
Demystifying Unsold Shares
If your co-op has holders of unsold shares — or you're not even sure what that means — listen up. David Fitzhenry, partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff, breaks down everything boards need to know about ...
The Risks and Rewards of Having a Lawyer on Your Board
If your board has an attorney serving as a director — or if you're that attorney — this episode is essential. Stewart Wurtzel, member at Tane, Waterman & Wurtzel, walks through the real conflicts that aris...
The Legal Playbook to Use Against Your Worst Neighbor
What happens when a neighbor decides the person living below her is the enemy? In this episode, Emanuela Lupu, partner at Smith Buss and Jacobs, speaks about a case that unfolded over years — one involving ...
Are You Protecting Your Building — or Setting It Up for a Lawsuit?
Being a co-op board member comes with real legal responsibility — and most people don't realize that until it's too late. In this episode, attorney Ben Flavin, partner at Braverman Greenspun, breaks down...
How 100 Sponsor Units Sold Across 28 Buildings in One Day
When a group of real estate investors decided to purchase a hundred sponsor-owned apartments spread across 28 different co-op and condo buildings — and close the entire deal in a single day — the legal challenges were unlike anything a typical ...
The Smart Way for Condo Boards to Handle Anonymous Buyers
Somewhere in New York City, a condo board found itself staring down a problem with no easy solution — an owner they knew almost nothing about, hiding behind an LLC, and a situation that was quickly becoming every board's nightmare. Leni Cummins...
The Commercial Tenant No One Saw Coming
When a licensed cannabis dispensary tried to set up shop inside a primarily residential Manhattan condominium, the board found itself in an uncomfortable position: their bylaws, drafted decades earlier, simply hadn't anticipated this moment. Th...
When Shareholders Push Back Against the Board
When co-op and condo boards refuse to hold annual elections, shareholders aren't as powerless as they might think. Thomas Smith, partner at Smith Buss & Jacobs, walks through the legal and political str...
Why Your Building's 1969 Bylaws Could Sink Your Board
Most co-op and condo boards are operating with bylaws that haven't been touched since the Nixon administration. Dean Roberts, senior partner at Norris McLaughlin, reveals how outdated bylaws create re...
The Proprietary Lease Amendment That Backfired Spectacularly
The Dakota, a historic co-op on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, won their case — spending $2.4 million in legal fees defending themselves against a shareholder’s charge of discrimination. And then the court said they couldn’t collect a dime in leg...
Why Your Next Contract Could Cost You Thousands
Co-op and condo boards often move too quickly when hiring contractors, which can lead to problems later on. Contractor-written proposals can lack board protections like indemnification and the ability to recover attorney's fees. Signing these i...
Why Timing Means Everything in Condo Foreclosure
A condo board let an arrears situation drag on for years, convinced they had no chance of recovering delinquent common charges against an owner with massive tax and mortgage debts. They were wrong. Eric Goldberg, partner at
How Your Neighbor Might Hold Your Renovation Hostage
When buildings need to place scaffolding on a neighbor's roof or temporarily close off a courtyard, some owners see dollar signs, while others face project-killing delays. As a result, the space between New York City buildings has become a surp...
Why the Storefront Isn’t So Simple
That dry cleaner or restaurant on your building's ground floor might seem like a simple revenue stream, but the dynamics behind managing commercial tenants are surprisingly complex. Christopher Tumulty, partner at
When Water Damage Goes Wrong
A $30,000 water leak becomes a $300,000 nightmare — all because a board waited too long to act. Ian Brandt, partner at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, exposes the surprising traps that leave buildings with mas...
From Empty Storefront to Steady Income
When a co-op or condo loses a commercial tenant, a cash crunch often follows. Finding a new tenant is just the beginning — the real challenge is structuring a lease that protects the building’s finances and residents. Mark Axinn, partner at
Why Your Building's Insurance Costs Keep Skyrocketing
No building is ever really prepared for a contractor accident, but you can be proactive about keeping your building protected. Howard Schechter, partner at Fox Rothschild, breaks down the critical co...
Document Requests Are Rising and Your Board Needs a Plan
Every board dreads that moment when a shareholder demands to see corporate documents, contracts, or financial records. But ignoring the request isn't an option. Evan Gitter, partner at Cohen Warren Meyer & Git...
Why Your Alteration Rules Might Land You in Court
When board members think they have unlimited power, they run the risk of going too far when handling unit owner alterations. Carol Sigmond, partner at GreenspoonMarder, shares eye-opening stories from her le...
Board Members' Worst Nightmare: When Bad Faith Ruins Everything
The Business Judgement Rule protects a lot of board decisions, but when your actions are ruled “in bad faith,” everything changes. Steven Sladkus, partner at Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg and Atlas, unpacks a...
The Ladder Approach to Resolving Apartment Smoking Disputes
Smoking disputes have exploded since the pandemic, and they're turning neighbors into enemies faster than ever. In this episode, Peter Massa, partner at the law firm Fox Rothschild, reveals why board...
How One Late Payment Can Sink Your Building's Budget
Every board will have to deal with residents in arrears at some point. But in this conversation, Marc Schneider, managing partner and CEO at the law firm Schneider Buchel, reveals why waiting even 45 d...
Navigate Co-op Ownership Transfers Without Legal Drama
It’s too easy for the complex world of co-op ownership transfers to become a costly headache. Attorney Aaron Shmulewitz, partner at the law firm, Belkin Burden and Goldman, breaks down the three main types of c...
Don't Let Your Next Construction Project Bankrupt Your Building
If you're facing a major renovation, some crucial information could save you thousands of dollars and months of headaches. Attorney Lisa Radetsky, partner at the law firm Phillips Nizer, reveals why ...
How to Collect Overdue Maintenance Without Going to Court
If you’re struggling with unit owners who aren't paying maintenance or common charges, you're not alone. Attorney Maria Beltrani, partner at Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg and Atlas, reveals game-changing pre-...