Unfortunately for most businesses, especially those in New York City, litigation or threats of litigation are a normal occurrence. Whether a client has a dispute with a vendor, a contractor, an insurance carrier, or even internally among partners, Helbraun Levey’s team of litigators represent and counsel our clients throughout the entire process. Our litigators have experience with all types of commercial and business litigations, from the small and simple to the large and complex.

Our process includes evaluating litigation at all stages to determine the most desirable course of action for the client. We devise and execute litigation strategies to procure the most advantageous outcome for our client.

Developing clear employment practice policies is crucial to preventing — or minimizing the likelihood of — labor and employment problems within your restaurant or bar. Even the best operators, though, can be subject to employment-related lawsuits.

Helbraun Levey has a dedicated team of litigators and professionals that focus on Employment Practices and understands the complex issues that often arise in the hospitality industry. Our team can help protect your business and your employees from issues arising from:

Landlord/tenant issues are likely to arise at some point during a business’s lifecycle. Helbraun Levey’s litigation team handles all aspects of commercial landlord/tenant litigation – both tenant and landlord side.  We have deep experience with the New York commercial real estate market and have advised businesses and their landlords through every kind of related proceeding.

Avoiding litigation is often preferred and our team can create a plan to negotiate and execute thorough settlement agreements that protect our client’s interests. Our team can provide an upfront assessment of your case and create a strategy to obtain the most favorable outcome.

We also help our clients proactively avoid future disputes by drafting detailed leases that spell out the rights and remedies necessary to avoid common litigation issues.

If you have questions, would like additional guidance, or want more information on this topic, please contact us here.

Helbraun Levey handles all manner of commercial landlord/tenant disputes including:

Helbraun Levey’s Litigation Group is comprised of practical and insightful attorneys who regularly advocate before New York’s local, city, state and federal governmental and administrative agencies. Working in the hospitality industry exposes our clients to oversight from various agencies and we aid our clients in navigating criminal and civil issues—both simple and complex—in order to develop real and lasting strategies.

Our attorneys have a vast array of experience in dealing with law enforcement agencies, and our attorneys have intimate knowledge of the procedure and process of our adversaries. Whether you are a target, person of interest, or a witness to any criminal investigation, being conducted by any criminal agency, our attorneys are here to assist you by providing personalized, individual attention. Often times we represent clients who are being investigated by law enforcement and we can provide assistance in the prevention of arrest and prosecution, avoiding potentially damaging media attention.

In addition, we assist many clients in preventing criminal liability in the area of compliance by developing and implementing internal compliance programs designed to avoid problems before they result in formal investigations.

New York Police Department/Fire Department of New York Violations

Bar and restaurant owners and their employees are often visited by the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the New York Fire Department (FDNY) and receive summonses to appear for alleged violations of state and local laws, which require appearances in the Summons Arraignment Part (SAP) of various courts throughout the City of New York. These tickets may be written to the corporation, to owners, managers or employees, and can result in fines, jail time and a criminal record if not properly handled. It is crucial, when any governmental agency comes knocking on your door, that you obtain knowledgeable criminal counsel immediately.

Helbraun Levey’s team is instrumental in assisting our clients with revocation hearings before the State Liquor Authority (SLA). These hearings are essentially small-scale criminal trials which can result in fines from the SLA Board of Directors and potential penalties, that may include liquor license restrictions or revocations.

For something as simple as noise violations or a one-time failure to check identification, it is possible for an establishment to permanently lose its liquor license through the revocation hearings process. Even if the charges are disputed and defended, a licensee can face serious fines of tens of thousands of dollars — even if the summons issued by a NYPD officer is dismissed at the Criminal Court Level.

The SLA may choose to have a civil hearing to determine whether a licensee should maintain its license. Our attorneys are experienced with the nuances of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (ABC) and are prepared to vigorously defend our clients and to seek dismissal of such charges.

We are also regularly able to secure reasonable settlements from the SLA Counsel’s Office, allowing for lower fines to be paid along with no additional penalty for the licensee.