Specializing in Business Transactions, Commercial Litigation, and Real Estate Law
PRACTICE AREAS
New York Business Litigation, Real Estate, and Corporate Law
At the Law Office of Steven Riker in New York City, we have received recognition and media coverage for the successful handling of publicized cases and significant transactions. However, we provide comprehensive representation in all matters that we undertake, whether they involve the zealous advocacy required in a litigated business dispute or the skilled drafting and negotiation needed for a highly valued transaction. The firm has extensive experience in its chosen practice areas, and brings great zeal and expertise to every matter it undertakes, no matter the size or the client. The firm has litigated cases before various federal, state, and city courts, and at the appellate levels of each court. The firm has also handled commercial and residential real estate closings and lease transactions with values ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to tens of millions of dollars.
Specific practice areas include:
Commercial and Business Litigation
The firm has successfully handled all phases of commercial and business disputes, from drafting sophisticated complaints, to conducting and defending depositions, to participating in trials and appeals, in both court actions and arbitration proceedings. Typical matters handled by the firm involve breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, specific enforcement of real estate contracts, landlord-tenant disputes, mechanic’s liens, brokerage disputes, employment disputes, and Surrogate’s Court and estate matters. Clients of the firm can also be assured of prompt and proactive legal services in times of an emergency, including obtaining temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and orders of attachment. The firm has experience obtaining such injunctive and emergency relief in federal, state, and New York City courts, and at the appellate level of each court. And for clients who prevail at trial, or following an appeal, the firm can perform prompt computerized searches of legal and web-related databases to identify the assets, debt, and equity that an opposing party maintains, thereby ensuring the collectability of any judgment obtained.
While remaining committed to zealous advocacy, the firm also recognizes that at various times mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) may provide a more cost-effective, expeditious, and flexible option for resolving disputes. Mr. Riker has substantial experience acting as an advocate in mediation, arbitration, and ADR forums, and also has experience acting as a mediator/neutral to others seeking to resolve their disputes.
Real Estate Transactions and Real Estate Litigation
We have successfully assisted countless individuals and developers to purchase, sell, lease, and obtain financing for both residential and commercial properties throughout the New York metropolitan area. By reviewing and drafting contracts of sale, performing due diligence, and providing sure-handed advice and guidance, we have helped many clients attain their goals as property owners, homeowners, landlords, and tenants. Closings and lease negotiations handled by the firm often involve multimillion-dollar transactions, and have reached as much as $30,000,000.00 in value. In addition to our vast transactional experience, we also have equal expertise in handling real estate litigation, whether the subject dispute involves a breach of a real estate contract, a residential or commercial lease, or a real estate brokerage contract. And when litigation becomes necessary, you can be assured of aggressive, cost-effective representation to resolve such disputes, whether through settlement or trial.
ENTITY FORMATION, ContractS, and Business Transactions
The preparation of business agreements is often both an art and a science. It demands knowledge of the law, experience, and attention to detail. The firm has a wealth of experience in preparing buy-sell agreements, letters of intent, service agreements, website terms and conditions, license agreements, and employment agreements. In addition, we have also drafted documents for mergers and acquisitions, and frequently prepare formation and governance documents for corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies (LLCs). We also regularly provide advise concerning the appropriate entity (i.e., corporation, partnership, or LLC) to form and the state in which to incorporate, and draft/negotiate shareholders’ agreements, limited liability operating agreements, and partnership agreements. Once a business is formed, we also provide day-to-day advice for review of contracts, negotiations, acquisitions, and employment matters, and often act as outside general counsel for small companies lacking an in-house legal department.
Hotel and Hospitality Law
We are experienced in all phases of representing hotel properties, including providing advice on day-to-day and long-term hotel operational issues. Our extensive experience on behalf of hotel properties has included commercial and residential leasing, commercial and residential landlord-tenant proceedings, litigation in federal and state courts, contract negotiations, governmental licensing, hotel security and risk management, property loss, guest injury, employment disputes, and virtually every other aspect pertaining to the ownership, management and operation of hotel properties. We are also experienced in representing restaurants with respect to entity formation, the negotiation of commercial leases, obtaining on- and off-premises liquor licenses, permits to operate a food establishment and sidewalk café, and cabaret licenses for entertainment.