WESTERMAN BALL EDERER MILLER ZUCKER & SHARFSTEIN - Key Persons
Adam Borenstein is an Associate in the Firm's Corporate Department. Adam has extensive corporate and transactional experience representing private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies and other companies and individuals in connection with a variety of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and minority investments, as well as with respect to general corporate and commercial agreements.
Adam earned his law degree from the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law in 2015. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Florida. Prior to joining the Firm, Adam worked at a Manhattan-based international law firm, as a legal secondee at a European-based private equity firm and as Assistant General Counsel at a global consulting firm. Adam is admitted to practice in the States of New York and New Jersey.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Chairman of the Firm 's Corporate
Alan Ederer is the Chairman of the Firm's Corporate and Securities Department. Alan represents clients ranging from "start-up" to publicly traded companies, closely held businesses, venture capitalists, investors and lenders. While many of Alan's corporate clients are located in the New York metropolitan area, Alan also represents a number of national and international businesses. Alan's experience is broad based and includes sophisticated mergers and acquisitions, lending including asset based and receivables financing, venture capital investment and finance, SEC compliance, private placements and public offerings, technology licensing and transfer agreements, negotiation and drafting partnership, shareholder and operating agreements and "day-to-day" corporate counseling.
Alan's clients include a leading U.S. wholesale distributor of non-electric surgical and dental instruments, prominent venture capital firms with substantial investments in local and national businesses, publicly traded companies with interests in the U.S. and abroad, an internet authentication company with worldwide offices and a well-known provider of laboratory clinical trial services for pharmaceutical companies, as well as individuals and other business entities.
Alan takes a serious interest in the business and financial underpinnings of his clients and recognizes that business and legal issues affecting a client are intertwined. In analyzing legal issues confronting a client, Alan draws on his experience with major New York law firms, as well as the degrees in Accounting and Finance he earned from the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania in 1983. Alan earned his law degree from Boston University Law School in 1986, where he was Editor of the Law Review.
Alexandra is an associate in the Firm's Bankruptcy, Workout and Restructuring practice group. Alexandra has experience representing secured and unsecured creditors, ad hoc creditor groups, and creditor's committees in complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, insolvency, and other distressed situations.
Prior to joining the Firm, Alexandra was an associate at a law firm based in Manhattan. Alexandra also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Nancy Hershey Lord, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of New York.
Alexandra received her J.D. magna cum laude from Brooklyn Law School in 2017, where she was Executive Articles Editor of the Brooklyn Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. Alexandra received her B.A. summa cum laude from Queens College.
Alexandra is admitted to practice in New York State as well as the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the New York City Bar Association
Amier Shenoda is an associate in the firm's Litigation practice group. He has a wide range of experience involving complex commercial cases, including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, partnership and shareholder disputes, business torts, employment, real estate and title litigation, and loan workout and restructuring matters. He regularly represents businesses, banks, lenders, private investors, and other financial institutions in several areas of law, including commercial real estate litigation, banking litigation, creditors' rights, foreclosure, financial services, securities, regulatory compliance, among others. Amier is active in all phases of litigation in the trial and appellate courts at the federal and state level. He is admitted to practice law in the States of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. He is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, and the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.
Amier has been selected to the Super Lawyers New York Rising Stars list for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021) and he has been recognized by his peers for his outstanding work and commitment to the spirit of the legal profession. His knowledge of the law, professional work ethic, and advocacy on behalf of his clients allows him to stand out among other attorneys in the field. As a practitioner, Amier brings a unique understanding of the needs and priorities of his clients to his work. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for a national law firm in New York City, where he regularly defended claims against banks and financial institutions in matters involving state and federal banking and financial services laws. He has also worked directly with in-house counsels at a major financial institutions and investment banks to ensure regulatory compliance with federal and state banking and securities laws and has assisted those clients with examinations and inquiries from federal and state regulators. He has also led a real estate transaction team that closed numerous loan workout and settlement agreements for over 10 years. This track record gives him exceptional skills as a litigator and a negotiator, with an unrivaled ability to understand the business needs of his clients because he has an insider's perspective.
Amier earned his law degree from St. John's University School of Law in 2016, where he served as a Senior Staff Member of the NY Real Property Law Journal, which is an official publication of the New York State Bar Association's Real Property Law Section. Amier received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stony Brook University in 2007.
Amier is a member of the New York City Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the Nassau County Bar Association. He is also extremely active in his community and with charities, serving as the lead member of local business networks and he has gathered donations of over 500 lbs. of food annually to Island Harvest, a local food bank. He is also involved in youth sports within his community and has coached girls' soccer programs.
Andrew Lewner is a partner in the firm's Litigation Department. A seasoned litigator with extensive trial experience, Andy has represented companies in a wide range of matters before federal and state trial and appellate courts throughout the country. He also has significant experience in alternative dispute resolution, routinely representing clients in arbitrations and mediations throughout the world, including proceedings before JAMS, AAA, FINRA and ARIAS-US.
Andy was recently honored as one of only two attorneys to receive the 2022 Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island Award for Commercial Litigation. Andy was previously selected as a "New York Metro Super Lawyer, Rising Star" 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. He has also been a member of numerous organizations, including the Nassau County Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York (for which he served on the Arbitration Committee) and the AIDA-U.S. Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society (ARIAS) (for which he served on the International Committee and the Forms and Procedures Committee). Mr. Lewner is also a regular speaker at industry conferences, and has authored numerous articles that have been published in widely-read publications, including the New York Law Journal, on a host of topics of interest to the legal and business community.
Andy earned his law degree from the Fordham University School of Law in 2001, where he was a member of the Fordham Law Review. Andy received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Honors College) in 1998.
Annie Kubic is a Partner in the Firm's Litigation Department, representing financial institutions, corporations, fiduciaries and individuals in a variety of state and federal courts actions. Annie's practice focuses on complex commercial cases, including contract, fraud and fraudulent conveyances, creditor priority disputes, foreclosures, and judgment enforcement proceedings. Annie also has experience in bankruptcy litigations, having represented debtors-in-possession, unsecured creditors' committees and their post-confirmation successors in a variety of adversary proceedings. Annie has significant experience in arbitration, mediation, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Prior to joining the Firm, Annie was associated with a Manhattan law firm, where she represented clients in a broad array of commercial and bankruptcy litigations.
Annie was recognized as a Super Lawyers "Rising Star" for her business litigation and creditors' rights work in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021.
Annie graduated cum laude from St. John's University School of Law in 2008, where she was a St. Thomas More Scholar and a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. Annie received her undergraduate degree from Loyola University in Maryland.
Annie is admitted to practice in New York State, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Co - Chair of the Nassau County Bar 's Construction Law Committee
- Construction Law
Anthony P. DeCapua is a partner in the firm's construction and litigation practice groups.
Anthony concentrates his practice on the representation of property developers, owners, real-estate management organizations, architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and sureties in all facets of private and public sector construction both as an advisor and advocate.
Anthony negotiates and drafts all types of construction related contracts including AIA and inhouse forms. Anthony also negotiates and drafts site access/protection agreements on behalf of owners and general contractors. He guides clients during projects with regards to contract administration and claim preservation. Anthony consults on construction risk exposure, project insurance coverages, project bonding requirements and mechanic's liens. When there is a need Anthony can assess indemnitor liability and negotiate surety workout agreements.
Anthony has extensive experience litigating construction and commercial disputes in both state and federal court. Anthony also represents clients in alternate dispute resolution proceedings including mediation and arbitration before the American Arbitration Association and JAMS. In construction cases Anthony has represented general contractors and trade specific companies in breach of contract matters, payment and performance bond claims, mechanic's lien claims, extra work disputes, delay claims, construction defect cases, bid disputes, RPAPL 881 proceedings and trust fund diversion actions.
Anthony is a graduate of St. John's University and received his J.D. from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. He served as a judicial intern to the Honorable F. Dana Winslow, New York State Supreme Court.
Anthony is admitted to practice in the courts of the State of New York, State of Connecticut as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Anthony serves as the co-chair of the Nassau County Bar's Construction Law Committee. He has attained Super Lawyers recognition, a rating of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement in their practice area.
Asna E. Shah is an Associate in the Firm's Corporate Department. Asna has extensive corporate and transactional experience representing public and private companies, private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, other companies, and individuals in connection with a variety of transactions, including acquisitions, equity and debt security offerings, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings, and minority investments spanning a wide range of industries and sectors. Asna also regularly advises clients on a variety of general corporate governance and strategic matters.
Asna earned her law degree from New York University of Law in 2017, where she served as Executive Editor of the Review of Law & Social Change. Asna also earned her Masters of Science degree in Bioethics from Columbia University in 2014, where she served as Executive Editor of the Voice in Bioethics Journal. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, magna cum laude, from Queens College in 2012. Asna is admitted to practice in the State of New York. Prior to joining the Firm, Asna worked at two Manhattan-based international law firms in their Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity groups.
Brad Bassuk is a Partner in the Firm's Real Estate Department. Brad has extensive experience in all aspects of real estate transactions. Brad negotiates letters of intent and lease transactions involving retail, restaurant, office, industrial and other commercial properties located in NYC and throughout the United States on behalf of international, national, regional and local retailers as well as fitness studios, restaurants, prominent retail developers and operators, owners of mixed-use properties, and other businesses and charitable organizations with real estate needs.
In addition to lease transactions, Brad represents clients across a wide spectrum of other transactional and corporate matters, such as the sale and acquisition of commercial property and businesses, as well as operating/partnership agreements.
Prior to joining the Firm, Brad was the general counsel for a multigenerational and privately held real estate investment, development and management organization with large portfolio throughout New York City.
Brad earned his undergraduate degree from The State University of New York at Buffalo in 2001. He then went on to earn his law degree from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in 2004.
Brad is admitted to practice in the State of New York. Brad was selected as a "New York Super Lawyers Rising Star" in the area of real estate for 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Brian P. Walsh is an Associate in the Firm's Litigation Department. Brian concentrates his practice on complex commercial cases, including actions concerning breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, partnership and shareholder disputes, business divorces, employment, and real estate disputes. Brian also has experience in arbitration (including before AAA and JAMS), mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Brian was recognized as a Super Lawyers "Rising Star" for his business litigation work in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Brian earned his law degree from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, where he was a Municipal Law Fellow and Honor's Program Scholar. At Touro, he served as a Research Editor of the Touro Law Review and authored a published article entitled How To Remedy The Court's Unreasonable Expansion Of The Public Use Doctrine, 2 Texas. A&M J. of Real Prop. Law 169 (2014). Brian earned his Bachelor of Arts from Quinnipiac University.
Brian is admitted to practice in the State of New York, as well as in the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. He is also an active member of the New York State Bar Association and Nassau County Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- of Counsel
- Member of the Adjunct Faculty at the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
- Venture Capital Finance / Investment
Charles A. Bilich is Of Counsel to the Firm, practicing primarily in the Corporate and Real Estate Departments.
Chuck is a member of the Adjunct Faculty at the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, Touro College. He has taught "Close Corporation and Partnership Planning", "Corporate Finance", "Securities Regulation", Business Organizations II (a/k/a Corporations) and Business Organizations Practice Module, a course designed to develop negotiating and drafting skills.
Colin C. Marinovich is an Associate in the Firm's Litigation Department. Colin represents and advises business owners and employers across many industries in a wide range of matters. These matters include both commercial disputes and labor and employment issues.
Colin has experience litigating cases in both federal and state court and regularly represents and counsel clients in matters involving discrimination, retaliation, harassment, whistleblower claims, wage and hour violations, actions concerning breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, partnership and shareholder disputes, and business divorces.
Additionally, Colin has experience representing businesses being investigated by the New York State and United States Departments of Labor and has appeared before various state and federal agencies such as the New York State Division of Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Colin received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in finance from Farmingdale State College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a member of three separate honor societies. After completing his undergraduate studies, Colin accepted the Alumni Scholarship from St. John's University School of Law. Here, Colin focused on, and excelled in, all things litigation. Earning a nod on the Dean's list for his exemplary work inside of the classroom, finishing top of his class and earning Dean's Award of Excellence in trial advocacy, as well as deposition practice.
While dedicated to the profession, Colin also takes great pride in being an active member in his community. He is an active contributor to charitable organizations such as: New York Cares, Citymeals on Wheels, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Long Island. His passion for work in the community stems from his time in law school where he graduated as a Pro Bono Scholar, working full time with the Queens Legal Aid Society as a Student Public Defender, representing indigent Defendants charged with misdemeanor crimes. Additionally, Colin was a two-time Public Interest Fellow and received the St. John's Public Service Award for his outstanding work in the community, eclipsing over 1200 volunteer hours over his three years in law school.
Colin is admitted to practice in the State of New York, as well as in the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. He is also an active member of the New York State Bar Association.
Dan Lyons is a Partner in the Firm's Litigation Department, practicing in all areas of business litigation in the state and federal courts including trial level and appellate practice. Dan's experience covers a wide range of complex commercial litigation including matters involving securities, insurance, RICO, eminent domain, construction, breach of contract, fraud, restrictive covenants, trade secrets, landlord-tenant and other real estate disputes, unfair competition, corporate and partnership disputes, dissolutions and the full array of business torts.
Dan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Brown University in 1991. At Brown, Dan was a centerfielder on the varsity baseball team and a recipient of the National Collegiate Business Merit Award and the Chemical Bank Scholarship for Academic Excellence. In 1995, Dan received his Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law, where he was Associate Editor of the Villanova Law Review and a member of Phi Delta Phi. Dan's law review article on the Individual with Disabilities Education Act is published at 39 Vill. L. Rev. 1057 (1994).
Ellen Tobin is a Partner in the Firm's Litigation Department, representing individuals and businesses in federal and state court actions and arbitrations. Ellen's practice focuses on complex commercial cases including contract and real estate matters, business disputes and breakups, accounting and securities fraud and bankruptcy litigation. Ellen is active in the legal community, serving on the Board of the Federal Bar Association, E.D.N.Y. Chapter, and previously as the Chair of the Federal Courts Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. Ellen is also an active member of the Theodore Roosevelt American Inn of Court. In 2019, Ellen was named a "Premier Business Women of Long Island" and was recognized for her business litigation skills. Ellen has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for Business Litigation from 2017 - 2021, and in 2016, she was named to Long Island Business News' "Who's Who of Women in Professional Services."
Prior to joining the Firm, Ellen worked in the Manhattan office of a prominent international law firm, where she represented clients in federal and state courts, government investigations, arbitrations and matters before the Department of the Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, in complex commercial cases and in antitrust and maritime and intellectual property matters. For two years Ellen served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable A. Kathleen Tomlinson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Ellen is also committed to serving her community. She volunteers with Surf For All, an amazing not-for-profit that provides surfing programs for children with disabilities. She has done extensive pro bono work advocating for children and indigent parents in family court disputes on behalf of the Children's Law Center and the Brooklyn Family Defense Practice. She is a proud member of The Energeia Partnership at Molloy College.
Ellen received her Juris Doctor degree in 2005 from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2001 Ellen received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania, from which she graduated magna cum laude and with Distinction in International Relations.
Ellen is admitted to practice law in New York State, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the United District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Ellen has received the following honors:
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Partner
- Co - Managing Partner of the Firm
Greg is the Co-Managing Partner of the Firm and Co-Chair of the Firm's Commercial Litigation Group. He is an experienced litigator in all types of commercial and business issues. He regularly practices in state and federal courts throughout the country, as well as in alternative dispute proceedings. Greg has a wide range of experience that includes bench and jury trials and appellate work in the areas of corporate and partnership disputes, shareholder derivative actions, dissolutions, real estate disputes, business torts, aviation matters, construction disputes, healthcare, RICO, anti-trust, insurance law disputes, intellectual property disputes (including trademark and patent litigation), internet law disputes, labor and employment law, and other complex commercial and business disputes.
Greg serves as outside general counsel to several domestic and international companies. In that capacity, he has been exposed to the inner workings of those companies, including how they operate and their long-term goals. As outside general counsel, Greg works hand-in-hand with the principals and management to spearhead long-term projects and achieve strategic goals in several different settings. He has taken the lead on significant corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, the sale of businesses, joint ventures, and licensing relationships.
He also has significant experience with respect to real estate matters, including specific performance issues, purchase and sale issues, leasing issues, brokerage disputes, and commercial landlord/tenant disputes. Greg has led the restructuring of major real estate holdings throughout the country, including negotiating with lenders and special servicers. He has "quarter-backed" the development of significant private and public projects.
Greg is an approved Receiver in the State of New York and has been appointed by the Court as a Receiver in connection with real estate and business disputes. He also has been appointed as a special master for discovery purposes. In addition, he has been appointed by the Court to serve as a mediator and has successfully resolved numerous cases in that capacity.
Greg previously served as a Director of the Nassau County Bar Association. He is the past Chairman of the Federal Courts Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association and the former Chairman of the Commercial Litigation Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. Greg is an Executive Committee Member of the prestigious Theodore Roosevelt American Inn of Court and was awarded a Leadership in Law Award issued by the Long Island Business News. He also received the 2017 President's Award from the Nassau County Bar Association.
He regularly gives seminars and hosts other programs relating to commercial and business issues. Among other things, Greg has lectured on provisional remedies, discovery, trial practice, business divorces, dissolutions of businesses, business, and property valuation issues, disputes between shareholders, real estate issues, brokerage issues, e-discovery, and expert disclosure. Together with Jeff Miller, Greg previously wrote a monthly column for the New York Law Journal analyzing court decisions influencing the business community.
Greg earned his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1997, where he served as a committee chairperson on the Moot Court Board. Greg received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College in 1994, where he graduated cum laude and played for the varsity baseball team. Greg is an officer of the Dartmouth Alumni Club of Long Island.
Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker & Sharfstein, LLP is pleased to announce that Guy M. Allen has joined our firm as a partner and co-chair of the firm's labor and employment practice group. Guy comes to Westerman Ball from one of the world's premiere and largest labor and employment law firms. He represents national and international companies in both the private and public sector. Guy has over 25 years' experience in representing employers in all types of employment matters, including complex employment litigation, trade secret and non-competition litigation, class action avoidance and defense, and single and multi-plaintiff cases involving claims for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Guy also counsels clients on a variety of employment practices and issues, including employment agreements, severance agreements, confidentiality agreements, human resources, reductions in force, leave of absence policies, local paid leave laws, employee handbooks, and the interplay of federal, state, local and city statutes including the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Guy regularly appears in federal and state courts, before administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York State Division of Human Rights and the New York City Commission on Human Rights, and regularly attends mediations and arbitrations on behalf of his employer clients.
Guy is regularly asked to speak on the above topics which most recently have included: "What can you do to protect your trade secrets and confidential information", "Hot Topics for New York Employers", "Navigating the complexities of the FMLA, ADA and other overlapping leaves of absence laws", "Managing Leaves of Absence: the interplay of the FMLA and ADA", and "Leave me alone-handling FMLA abuse and post-FMLA accommodation". Guy has also been published in the New York Law Journal with his article entitled, "Protecting Trade Secrets, Confidential Information from Unfair Competition", the Long Island Business News for his commentary on pregnancy discrimination and other periodicals, which have included topics such as "Top 10 mistakes that lead to employment related litigation, and how to avoid…", and Top 10 Employee Handbook tips to promote good employee relations and to avoid costly litigation."
Guy will continue to represent his clients in the manner they have been accustomed to over the years and will also bring his labor and employment expertise to Westerman Ball's clients so that the firm can further its goal of servicing all of the legal needs of its business clients with the most personalized, professional and high level practice of law for which Westerman Ball has become known.
Guy is a recipient of the Dr. Jack and Kelly McElwain Humanitarian Award from the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County. Guy received his JD degree from the Hofstra University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Tulane University where he served as team Captain for Tulane's Division 1 tennis team.
Jay S. Hellman concentrates his practice in the areas of litigation and trial work, with an emphasis on commercial litigation, construction law, and bankruptcy. Jay represents clients in complex cases from inception through conclusion, including any appeals, in both state and federal courts. Jay also represents clients in alternative dispute resolution settings outside the courtroom, including mediation and arbitration before various ADR providers, such as the American Arbitration Association and JAMS. In commercial cases, Jay has represented business owners in, among other things, contract disputes, real estate disputes, partnership matters and dissolution proceedings. In construction matters, Jay has represented high profile construction, architectural and engineering firms in contract negotiations, construction claims, and defense of malpractice actions. Jay has also represented public agencies, including school districts and libraries, in connection with public construction projects. In the bankruptcy arena, Jay has represented chapter 7 trustees, chapter 11 operating trustees, secured and unsecured creditors, and debtors-in-possession in a variety of adversary proceedings and contested matters in the United States Bankruptcy Courts, United Stated District Courts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Jay is a graduate of Stony Brook University and he received his J.D. from University of Missouri-Columbia where he was a member of the Missouri Law Review. He has served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Stanley Harwood, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department.
Jay is admitted to practice in the courts of the State of New York, as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Jay has lectured on judgment enforcement for the New York Bar Association, has served as a mock trial team coach for high school students, and was a co-author for the New York Construction Law treatise.
Jay has an AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating - the highest level of professional excellence.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Chairman of the Litigation Department of Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker
Jeffrey A. Miller is Chairman of the Litigation Department of Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker and Sharfstein, LLP, and is well known and respected as a successful business and commercial litigator. Jeff has a wide range of experience that includes bench and jury trials and appellate work in connection with corporate and partnership disputes, dissolutions, real estate disputes, securities fraud, antitrust and business torts, insurance law disputes, intellectual property and internet law disputes, shareholder derivative suits, Section 1983 and constitutional torts, products liability litigation, municipal law disputes, tax protests, alternative dispute resolution and contested matters in bankruptcy cases.
Jeff has been particularly successful litigating a wide range of real estate matters, including specific performance issues, purchase/sale issues, broker disputes, and commercial landlord/tenant disputes. He has also had great success litigating corporate and partnership disputes and dissolutions. He is retained by many businesses to counsel them on corporate and other business and legal issues, and has assisted in the expansion of many of his clients' businesses.
Recognized as an expert in business contract and other restrictive covenant and employer/employee issues, Jeff is regularly asked to give seminars for institutional and other clients on these and various other business issues. He has been highly successful in litigating restrictive covenant, non-solicitation agreement and trade secret cases. Jeff also counsels companies of all sizes and their principals on how to obtain expedited relief from the Court, including temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions.
Jennifer is an associate in the Firm's Real Estate Department. Jennifer's practice includes representing commercial and residential property owners, real estate developers, borrowers, institutional and private lenders, landlords, and tenants in a multitude of real estate transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and leasing.
John P. Bues is a Partner in the Firm's Real Estate Department. John has extensive experience in commercial real estate, banking, finance and leasing.
John has represented institutional and private lenders, sellers, purchasers and builders in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, development and finance throughout the New York metropolitan area. John's experience in representing clients in various aspects of commercial real estate transactions allows him to provide clients with insightful guidance and perspective from early negotiations through to closing. John also represents commercial landlords and tenants in office and retail leasing transactions.
Prior to joining the firm, John supplemented his commercial transaction practice with representing lenders, mortgage loan servicers, builders, condominium boards and homeowner associations in litigating foreclosure and collection actions.
John is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey and the Federal District Courts for the Eastern and the Southern Districts of New York.
While attending law school at Western New England College School of Law, John was selected as a member of the National Environmental Law Moot Court Team and earned honors for his oral argument skills during competition. John earned his undergraduate degree from Elmira College.
John is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Cleary School for the Deaf.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Managing Partner
- Partner
John Westerman serves as Co-Managing Partner of the Firm and Chairman of the Bankruptcy, Workout and Restructuring Department. John has been continuously engaged in the fields of bankruptcy, debt restructuring, workout and commercial litigation since 1982. He represents financial institutions, committees, trustees, publicly and privately held companies and other business entities in bankruptcy cases and out of court restructurings and other insolvency matters. John has worked closely with clients to successfully restructure difficult financial situations through Chapter 11 cases under the bankruptcy code and, in out of court restructuring.
In bankruptcy and restructuring cases, John has experience resolving difficult debtor-creditor issues for a wide range of businesses including banking, construction, real estate, retail and wholesale, theater chains, manufacturing, health care, financial, insurance, service, restaurant and catering and the internet and high tech sectors. In connection with these cases, John has handled a variety of debtor and creditor rights issues including disputes over guaranties, enforceability of security interests and loan documents, lender liability and avoidance actions.
John has litigated many commercial issues in state and federal courts on behalf of institutional and other business clients, including cases involving breach of contract, diversion of trade secrets, enforcement of restrictive covenants, specific performance, interference with contract, indemnity claims, diversion of corporate opportunities and lien enforcement. John also regularly provides transactional advice to many of our business clients.
John earned his law degree from Vermont Law School in 1982, where he was recognized as the Commercial Law Scholar. During law school, he was a member of the National Moot Court Team and ABA-LSD Moot Court Team and wrote for the "Vermont Bar". He also served on the Board of Directors of the Vermont Law School Alumni Association.
John received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, cum laude, from Union College where he played football, rugby and lacrosse. John is a graduate of Chaminade High School, is an active member of Chaminade's Alumni Association and has served as a member of the Alumni Board (President 2006-2008; now a permanent member) Torch Committee (1991 - Present, Chairman 1993 - 1995), President's Counsel, Challenge 2000 and Golf and Tennis Committee (1989 - Present, Co-Chairman 1991 - 92). John is past Trustee of the Long Island Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. He was elected to and served as a member and Vice President of the St. Agnes School Board and is a past member of the Board of Directors of Community Programs Center, a Long Island-based not-for-profit child and elder care center for low income families. John also serves as general counsel to the Education and Assistance Corporation, one of the largest privately run providers of social services in the Tri-State area, and the Alzheimers Foundation of America.
John was selected to be a member of the inaugural class of the Energeia Partnership, a regional stewardship program conducted by Molloy College, serves on this organization's Executive Committee and is a member of its Board of Directors.
Kayla Laskin is an Associate in the Firm's Real Estate Department. Kayla has experience representing owners, developers, lenders and borrowers in complex commercial real estate transactions, including in the areas of leasing of industrial, office and retail facilities, acquisitions, dispositions, financings and development projects.
Prior to joining the Firm, Kayla was an associate at a law firm based in Manhattan.
Kayla received her J.D. from St. John's University School of Law in 2019, where she was a Real Estate Fellow in the Mattone Family Institute for Real Estate Law Fellowship Program and the Associate Managing Editor of the St. John's Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development (JCRED). Kayla received her B.A. magna cum laude from Syracuse University in 2016.
Kayla is admitted to practice in the State of New York. Kayla was selected as a "New York Super Lawyers Rising Star" in the area of real estate for 2022 and 2023.
Matthew R. Armao is an Associate in the Firm's Litigation Department. Matthew represents businesses, financial institutions, and individuals in a broad array of complex commercial disputes, including matters relating to corporate and partnership disputes, real estate disputes, securities fraud, labor and employment law, bankruptcy litigation, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and business torts.
Matthew received his J.D. from New York University School of Law, where he was a staff editor of the New York University Journal of Law & Business. During law school, Matthew authored a published article entitled Reassessing The Second Circuit's Expansion Of Criminal Insider Trading Liability In United States v. Blaszczak, 17 N.Y.U. J.L. & Bus. 443 (2021). Matthew was the recipient of the Flora S. and Jacob L. Newman Prize, which is awarded to the graduating student with the most outstanding note written for the New York University Journal of Law & Business. Following his 1L year, Matthew interned with the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Matthew received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University.
Matthew is admitted to practice in the State of New York. He is also an active member of the New York State Bar Association.
Matthew Root is an associate in the Firm's Real Estate Department, concentrating primarily on commercial real estate leasing. Matt has extensive experience representing regional and national retailers as well as internationally known name brand retailers in connection with their leasing of retail space in shopping centers, outlet malls, strip malls and stand-alone properties throughout the United States. Additionally, Matt represents landlords and tenants in connection with their office and warehouse leasing.
Matt received his B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and earned his law degree from New York Law School where he was Editor of the Law Review. Matt is admitted to the New York State Bar and the New Jersey State Bar. Prior to attending law school, Matt was a B-52 navigator in the United States Air Force and was assigned to the 23 rd Bombardment Squadron in Minot, North Dakota.
Mike Weitman is a Partner in the Firm's Litigation Department. Mike represents corporate and individual clients in a broad range of litigation matters, including complex securities, contract, employment, and general business disputes before federal and state courts and in arbitration. Mike also has substantial experience advising institutional and individual clients in connection with criminal investigations and prosecutions, SEC and other regulatory inquiries, and related civil matters.
Michael E. Planell is a partner in the Firm's Litigation Department. Mike concentrates his practice on complex business and commercial disputes in state and federal courts throughout the country. He has significant experience in all aspects of complex litigation from inception through trial, including bench and jury trials, complex motion practice, and appellate work.
Michael Gelfand is an Associate in the Firm's Litigation Department, concentrating primarily on commercial and real estate litigation matters. Before joining the Firm, Michael interned with the Legal Aid Society, Capital Defender's Division and the New York County District Attorney's Office. He also interned for Congressman Gary Ackerman. Michael is admitted in New York and New Jersey and the United States Supreme Court.
Michael was a Distinguished Honors Scholar at the State University of New York at Buffalo, graduating summa cum laude in 2001 with a B.A. in History and Political Science. He founded the SUNY Buffalo Mock Trial team in 1997. Michael received his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 2004 and graduated as a Robert McKay Scholar. At NYU, he served as an Associate Casebook Editor on the Moot Court Board. Michael has been heavily involved with college mock trial for over 20 years. He is a member of of the Board of Directors of the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) and is the Chairperson of AMTA's Civil Case Committee. In addition, Michael is the head coach of the Iona College Mock Trial team and is an adjunct professor at Iona College in the Political Science Department.
Michael Kwon is a Partner in the Firm's Litigation Department. Michael's practice focuses on complex commercial disputes in federal, state and bankruptcy courts around the country. Michael's extensive experience includes trademark, contract, bankruptcy, real estate, employment and securities litigation. Michael also has significant experience in all forms of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitrations and mediations. Michael has represented publicly-traded companies, private equity firms, hedge funds, closely-held companies and high net worth individuals.
Prior to joining the Firm, Michael was associated with an Am Law 100 law firm and a boutique litigation firm in New York City. Michael also served as a law clerk for the Hon. Frank Maas, United States Magistrate Judge (Ret.), in the Southern District of New York.
Michael received his J.D. cum laude from Brooklyn Law School, where he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Brooklyn Journal of International Law, a member of the Moot Court Honor Society, and was the recipient of the Stanley W. Nathanson Prize, which is awarded to a graduate on the basis of special proficiency in the study of law, personality, and traits of character which warrant the belief that he or she will bring honor and credit to the legal profession. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts in history cum laude from Binghamton University (SUNY).
Michael is admitted to practice in New York State and in numerous federal courts around the country.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Nassau County Bar Association
Mickee Hennessy is a Partner in the Firm's Bankruptcy, Workout and Restructuring Department. Mickee's experience includes representation of secured and unsecured creditors and debtors in Chapters 7, 11 and 13 bankruptcy cases as well as commercial litigation on behalf of banking and financial institutions, health care companies, insurance companies and manufacturers in the fashion and textile industries. Mickee has also served as counsel for a number of creditors' committees.
She has represented a number of financial institutions in workout transactions and as creditors in bankruptcy cases, and has prosecuted and defended institutional and business entities in commercial litigations. She has represented clients in a number of high profile bankruptcy cases, including In re Madoff Securities, In re Levitz Furnishings, Inc. et al., In re Worldcom, In re Enron Corp. et al., and In re Marvel Entertainment.
Mickee earned her law degree at Fordham University School of Law in 1995 where she was a member of the Dean's List and an Editor of the Mentor Moot Court Program. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Potsdam, Crane School of Music in 1990, where she studied violin.
Mickee is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association, the Nassau County Women's Bar Association, the Commerce and Industry Council of Long Island, the Turnaround Management Association Long Island Chapter and is a partner in the Energeia Partnership, a regional stewardship organization of business leaders.
Mickee is past chair of the Bankruptcy Law Committee for the Nassau County Bar Association, and previously served as Vice President/ Legal Counsel for the Turnaround Management Association Long Island Chapter and on the Strategic Planning Committee for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of New York. In 2013, Mickee was named by Long Island Business News as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Business.
Mickee has lectured on and moderated a number of panels on bankruptcy, ethics and mediation issues, and has published articles in the New York Law Journal and the Nassau Lawyer. She is a registered mediator for the United States Bankruptcy Courts in the Southern, Northern and Eastern Districts of New York and has successfully resolved several contested matters through mediation.
Mickee is admitted to practice in the State of New York, the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.
Pami Wexelman is a Partner to the Firm's Real Estate Department. Pami has experience representing developers, owners, borrowers, lenders, landlords and tenants of local and national properties in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, financings and workouts. Prior to joining the Firm, Pami gained extensive real estate experience working in large Manhattan-based law firms and as in-house counsel for certain financial institutions.
Pami received her undergraduate degree from Brandeis University (Cum Laude) and her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (Magna Cum Laude). She was also a member of the Cardozo Law Review. Pami is admitted to the New York State Bar and the New Jersey Bar.
Telephone: 516.622.9200 Fax: 516.622.9212 1201 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 mail@westermanllp.com Pay Invoice
Philip J. Campisi, Jr. is a Senior Partner in the Firm's Litigation Department and Chairman of the Labor and Employment Group.
Phil concentrates on counseling and defending employers of all sizes and management in the workplace. Phil represents local, national and international businesses in all aspects of labor and employment matters by, among other things, providing day-to-day counseling on human resources, employee and administrative issues, drafting contracts, employment agreements, severance agreements, company handbooks, and confidentiality and other policies. Phil also specializes in litigating on behalf of our business clients, including defending wrongful termination, wage and hour, and other individual, collective and class action employment related disputes in all arenas, as well as aggressively enforcing the rights of our clients in protecting proprietary information, preventing unfair competition and otherwise enforcing post-employment rights.
Phil also provides counsel to and represents both institutional clients and individuals in several areas of complex commercial litigation, including securities arbitrations, real estate disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, intellectual property litigation, and other business torts. Phil practices in all phases of business litigation in the Federal and New York State court systems and nationally, including trial level and appellate practice, and conducts arbitrations before FINRA.
Phil has been recognized as one of the prominent attorneys on Long Island by the Long Island Business News with his inclusion in its "Who's Who in Intellectual Property and Labor Law" edition. Phil has co-authored a number of articles and commentaries in the New York Law Journal, analyzing New York court decisions that touch upon novel issues and recent developments in business litigation. He is an active member of the New York State and Nassau County Bar Associations, having recently served as Vice Chairman of the Nassau County Commercial Litigation Committee. Phil is also presently an advisory board member of the Nassau Academy of Law and is the liaison for the Federal Courts Committee to the Bar Association's Access to Justice Program.
Phil received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from Brown University in 1992. While attending Brown, Phil was a pitcher on the varsity baseball team. He received his Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law in 1997, where he was on the Dean's List and served as a senior staff member of the Hofstra University Law Review.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Co - Chair of the Firm 's Real Estate Department
Philip L. Sharfstein is a Co-Chair of the Firm's Real Estate Department. He has extensive experience representing developers, owners, investors, tenants, lenders and borrowers in all types of commercial real estate transactions including acquisition, disposition, leasing, sale/leasebacks, construction and development agreements, joint ventures, preferred equity, mortgage, construction and mezzanine loans and the restructuring of mortgage and mezzanine debt. Philip also has extensive experience in corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, preferred equity transactions, private placements, securitizations and complex financing transactions secured by various asset classes. His clients include developers and property owners, REITS, institutional lenders, national and regional tenants, as well as entrepreneurs, corporations and not-for-profit entities in various businesses. Philip is a dynamic negotiator and facilitator of complex transactions, providing practical resolutions to business and legal issues.
Robert W. Guazzo is a Partner in the Firm's Corporate Department. Robert has a broad corporate and securities law practice, with particular focus on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, public and private securities offerings, secured and unsecured debt financing, and joint ventures. Robert regularly advises companies and boards of directors on corporate governance and regulatory matters. Robert also regularly represents established and emerging companies throughout all phases of their development-formation, financing, general corporate growth and realization events. Robert's experience includes representing clients in, among others, the financial services, healthcare, banking, technology, consumer products, manufacturing, shipping, venture capital and private equity industries.
Samantha P. Turetsky is an associate in the Firm's Labor & Employment Department.
Prior to joining the Firm, Samantha was an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Labor and Employment Division of the New York City Law Department. As an Assistant Corporation Counsel, Samantha acted as lead counsel and performed all aspects of litigation to defend New York City in its role as employer, its agencies and management-level employees in a wide range of employment litigation matters. She has handled single-plaintiff, multi-plaintiff and class actions in Federal and State Court including claims brought under the ADA, ADEA, FLSA, and various state and local employment laws. Samantha has participated in settlement conferences in the Southern and Eastern Districts.
Samantha graduated from The City University of New York School of Law in 2017, where she was a member of the Moot Court team. During her 3L year, Samantha was selected as a NYS Court of Appeals Pro Bono Scholar where she provided over 500 hours of pro bono services to the Nassau Suffolk Law Services in their Senior Citizen Law Project and was able to sit for the bar exam prior to finishing law school. Samantha also graduated summa cum laude from American University in Washington, D.C.
Samantha is admitted to practice in New York State and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Co - Chair of the Real Estate Department
Stuart S. Ball is the Co-Chair of the Real Estate Department of Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker & Sharfstein, LLP. Stuart has over 38 years of experience in the real estate industry and is well known for his successful representation of retail, restaurant and other companies in leasing, acquiring and disposing of sites, and for his representation of developers, owners and managers in connection with their leasing, acquisition, sale, financing and joint-venturing of shopping centers and other retail buildings, office buildings, apartment buildings and other commercial properties.
Stuart also regularly represents lenders and borrowers in commercial loan transactions. Stuart has extensive experience drafting and negotiating leases for both landlords and tenants in ground leases and leases of big box stores, supermarkets, drugstores, banks, health clubs, medical facilities, gas stations, restaurants and other companies. Regularly being on "both sides of the table" gives Stuart the ability to understand and appreciate the other side's needs in a complex negotiation. His wide-ranging experience, ability to negotiate persuasively and practical approach to resolving issues enables Stuart to close difficult transactions efficiently and successfully.
Stuart was selected for inclusion in New York Super Lawyers for the 14 th consecutive year, only 5% of the attorneys in the New York metropolitan area were named to this list. Stuart earned his law degree from Hofstra University School of Law in 1984. At Hofstra, Stuart served as Articles Editor of the Property Investment Journal. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Boston University in 1981. Stuart is a member of the Commercial Leasing Committee of the New York State Bar Association, Real Property Law Section and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Stuart has been a featured speaker of the Real Estate Board of New York, Store Leasing Committee.
He is a member of the Board of Trustees and Co-Chairman of the Legal Committee of Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation, and is active in other charitable and civic organizations.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Founding Member of the Firm
Thomas A. Draghi is a founding member of the Firm and co-chair of the Bankruptcy, Workout and Restructuring Department. He focuses his practice on bankruptcy and creditors' rights law, providing high-quality, creative, business-oriented legal counsel to his clients. Tom represents lenders, financial institutions, funds, equity holders, debtors, creditor committees, trustees, secured and unsecured creditors, distressed asset purchasers, and investors in a wide variety of complex workout, restructuring, insolvency, and bankruptcy matters, including in formal bankruptcy proceedings as well as in out-of-court workouts. Tom has also served as a bankruptcy trustee.
Tom is a leading advisor to companies, serving as a key resource by providing legal counsel to assist clients in achieving business solutions for their companies. He represents clients in cases throughout the United States, including in New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Virginia. Tom regularly litigates commercial issues in bankruptcy cases, including actions involving real estate matters, claims for breach of contract, preferences, fraudulent conveyances, shareholder disputes, discharge and dischargeability, and other litigation matters. Tom also advises clients interested in investing in, acquiring and/or turning around distressed businesses. He has extensive experience in mediation and in dealing with inter-creditor issues.
Tom has been recognized as a leading practitioner in bankruptcy and corporate restructuring. He has been selected as a "New York Metro Super Lawyer" in the area of creditor, debtor rights and bankruptcy, earning this distinction for 10 consecutive years from 2014 - 2023. This extremely prestigious list includes only five percent of all New York metro attorneys, who are selected through an extensive process of peer nominations, blue ribbon panel review, and independent research. Tom recently served as lead counsel to the debtors in two affiliated bankruptcy cases in Delaware that earned highly distinguished awards from two leading international organizations in the industry, being chosen for the TMA Turnaround/Transaction of the Year and the Turnaround Atlas Cross Border Special Situations Deal of the Year.
Tom has also served as Chair of the Nassau County Bar Association Bankruptcy Committee. Tom is a past President, founding member, and current member of the Board of Directors of The Long Island Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association. The "TMA" is a not-for-profit association dedicated to the revitalization and turnaround of distressed businesses. Tom is frequently invited to be a speaker and panelist for various professional groups and organizations throughout the region on bankruptcy, secured lending, ethics, and related topics, including for the New York State Bar Association and Nassau County Bar Association.
Tom earned his law degree, cum laude, from New York Law School in 1990, where he was a member of the Journal of Human Rights. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from St. John's University in 1987. At St. John's, Tom played lacrosse on a four-year athletic scholarship. Tom is also extremely active in his community and with charities, having served on various boards including the Board of Directors of the Farmingdale Lacrosse Club. He also coached and was involved with youth sports in his hometown for more than 17 years, including lacrosse, football, basketball, softball, and baseball. Tom is admitted to practice in the courts of New York, as well as the United States District Court for the Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of New York, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Todd M. Gardella is a partner in the firm's Litigation Department. Todd is an experienced litigator who represents businesses, financial institutions and individuals on a wide range of commercial issues in state and federal courts and in forums for alternative dispute resolution. Todd has broad experience in all phases of litigation from inception through conclusion, including trials, complex motion practice and appellate advocacy.
Todd's practice spans many areas of commercial disputes and litigation. He has represented banks and financial institutions in litigation in state and federal courts on a wide array of issues, including matters involving commercial loan agreements, depositary and trust accounts, negotiable instruments, fraudulent activity, check kiting, bank fraud, safe deposit boxes, secured transactions, lien priority, judgment enforcement and subpoena compliance. He handles commercial loan defaults, workouts and foreclosures, and represents creditors in bankruptcy. He has represented businesses in the technology and Fintech sectors in connection with litigation and also with transactional matters, such as software agreements. He has litigated a wide variety of other matters involving breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate and partnership disputes, landlord-tenant and other commercial real estate disputes, construction and a host of business torts.
Todd graduated from St. John's University School of Law (J.D., 2006, Dean's List), where he served as Executive Publications Editor of the St. John's Law Review. He is the author of "Beyond Terrorism: The Potential Chilling Effect on the Internet of Broad Law Enforcement Legislation," published in the St. John's Law Review, Volume 80:2, 2006. Mr. Gardella was the recipient of the William J. Manning Scholarship, several merit awards, and the CALI Award for Excellence for his judicial internship with the Commercial Division of the New York State Supreme Court. Todd received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hofstra University in 1997.
Todd was named to the Super Lawyers New York Rising Stars Metro Edition list for five consecutive years. He has served as a mock trial team coach for high school students, has regularly judged high school mock trial tournaments and the Long Island High School Ethics Bowl tournaments, and has coached little league baseball teams.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Gardella spent six years as a technical writer, web developer and computer programmer, attending Polytechnic University's Master's Program in Computer Science. He was also a freelance journalist, an owner and operator of an incorporated record label, and a recorded musician.
Vishal Phalgoo is a Partner in the Firm's Corporate Department. Vishal has extensive corporate and transactional experience representing private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, other companies and individuals in connection with a variety of transactions, including acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, divestitures, joint ventures and minority investments. Vishal also regularly advises clients on a variety of corporate governance, strategic and "day-to-day" matters.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Norton Journal of Bankruptcy Law
Bill Heuer is a Partner in the Firm's Bankruptcy, Workout and Restructuring Department. Bill's clients look to him for guidance through workout, restructuring, and bankruptcy engagements relating to distressed or insolvent businesses, and for guidance on a broad range of commercial matters as they work to identify and achieve their business objectives.
Bill's bankruptcy and workout experience spans a wide range of industries and is international in scope. Bill has represented both creditor and debtor clients and constituencies in bankruptcy cases, including the representation of creditors' committees in chapter 11 cases. Bill's engagements in international insolvency cases include the representation of secured creditors, trustees in foreign jurisdictions, and foreign representatives in US-based cases under chapter 15. Bill's approach and client guidance is informed by the unique experience Bill gained as in-house counsel at a major financial institution and investment bank where he managed workout, restructuring, and recovery matters involving large, syndicated lending facilities and DIP loans.
Bill is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Norton Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice, has authored numerous articles on bankruptcy law, and has been an adjunct professor of law in the LL.M. in Bankruptcy program at St. John's University School of Law. Bill frequently speaks on bankruptcy law and included on his list of speaking engagements are programs with the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors.
Bill is a 1997 graduate of St. John's University School of Law, where he was an articles editor and staff member of the American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review, and a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo.