
Governance and Rule-Making in the Modern Condominium
Reflections on 10MSW17D LLC v. Bd. of Managers of 10...
“Above excellent” is our standard. We are “winners”. We stand apart from the rest, priding ourselves on our responsiveness and impeccable client service.
Managing Attorney
Joseph Colbert brings over 30 years of proven success in New York and Connecticut real estate law, providing strategic counsel to cooperatives, condominiums, HOAs, and individuals. Clients trust him for his deep expertise in resolving complex transactions, disputes, and navigating the unique challenges of shared ownership properties. He is an accomplished General Counsel to community association and business boards, and also litigation and trial counsel. His track record speaks for itself: Joe is consistently recognized as a top attorney in both New York and Connecticut. With honors degrees from NYU Stern School of Business and St. John’s University School of Law, he brings both a business and legal acumen to each client matter. Joe taught as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the law school for seven years and also has served as an expert witness in his area of practice, as well as a mediator and arbitrator, demonstrating the respect he holds within the legal community.
Of Counsel
John has had a variety of roles in both big and small companies. He held roles as General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer and Vice president of Tax. He has been the CFO of a public company, a Private Equity Portfolio Company and the division of a large international company. Some companies were the largest in the world, some had only 40 people, and he had a brief stint in government. They include AIG, ING, Aetna, Hanover Insurance, NYS Insurance Department Liquidation Bureau, Longevity Alliance and Grandparents.com. John has a B.S. in Accounting from Arizona State University, a J.D. from Pace Law School, and a L.L.M. (Masters in Law in Taxation) from New York University. He is licensed to practice law in New York, Connecticut, and the District of Columbia. He also has a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma and formerly held Life and PC insurance licenses.
Of Counsel
Rip is an experienced litigator whose practice includes representing clients in a diverse range of disputes including those relating to real estate, construction, and commercial/business matters. He is also involved in providing general counseling to the firm’s cooperatives, condominiums and homeowners’ association clients. He also represented businesses with all aspects of commercial transactions, from entity formation, drafting partnership agreements and employment contracts. Rip has helped companies obtain the proper licenses and authorizations to expand into new areas of business and enter new markets. Rip began his legal career as a paralegal and subsequently attended St. John’s University School of Law. He interned at the Department of Enforcement at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and was involved in bringing regulatory actions against firms such as Lehman Brothers, UBS and E-Trade. He also interned at the Litigation Bureau of the Office of the Attorney General of New York where he represented several State agencies such as the Department of Banking and the Board of Regents, and defended actions filed against State judges. Rip achieved a B.A. from Queens College of the City University of New York and an M.A. from the University of California, San Diego. In 2011, he received his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law where he was a Member of the New York International Law Review. He is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey as well as the federal courts in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey.
Of Counsel
Sabbir is an experienced litigator who handles a wide range of disputes including residential and commercial landlord/tenant disputes, foreclosures and those relating to condominiums, cooperatives and homeowners’ associations, real estate, construction and commercial/business matters. He has litigated numerous types of cases in both Housing Court and New York State Supreme Court and regularly handles cases arising from the failure to pay maintenance and common charges, including common charge lien foreclosure actions and non-judicial U.C.C. foreclosure proceedings. Sabbir also represents residential and commercial buyers and sellers in real estate and loan transactions. He was born in Bangladesh and immigrated to the United States in 1990, residing in Queens for 30 years. A graduate of John Jay College of the City University of New York and Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, Mr. Ahmed was admitted to practice in the State of New York in 2007.
Of Counsel
With over 23 years of experience, bankruptcy attorney Gregory provides expert guidance to individuals and businesses navigating complex financial challenges. A 1999 graduate of New York Law School, Gregory represents clients in Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy proceedings, foreclosure actions, credit card defense, and student loan reduction. He also specializes in protecting the interests of community associations when shareholders or owners file for bankruptcy.
Of Counsel
Michael is a persuasive litigator of 24 years backed by dual-state licensure in Connecticut and New York, offering extensive expertise in commercial litigation. His practice spans most areas of commercial disputes, including governance, contract, securities, business, partnership, and employment matters. Michael is deeply committed to representing client interests, diligently working to analyze case merits, minimize risk, and propel positive resolutions to complex legal challenges. He has a proven history of achieving high-value settlements and verdicts, in addition to providing vigilant defense of his clients. Michael successfully prosecuted a large disability lawsuit and obtained a favorable settlement against a worldwide social media network for defamation. Notably, he secured a $12 million settlement for Israeli investors in a dispute related to fraudulent transfers out of a partnership and, as lead trial attorney, obtained a $700,000.00 judgment in a partnership dispute related to high-yield debt funds. He also served as Litigation Counsel for GE Capital Retail Bank, supervising and advising on creditor/debtor litigation and matters related to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). He is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the District of Connecticut, the Southern District of New York, and the Eastern District of New York. He earned his Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University School of Law.
Of Counsel
Thomas is an experienced litigator of over thirty years whose practice focuses on representing clients in a diverse range of disputes, with a particular emphasis on landlord-tenant matters and real estate litigation. He is also actively involved in providing strategic counsel to the firm’s community association clients, including cooperatives, condominiums, and homeowners’ associations, and navigating the complexities of family law as they relate to property and asset distribution. Thomas also represents businesses in all aspects of transactional real estate and commercial contracting. His expertise includes drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements while identifying process improvements to streamline operations and mitigate risk. An interpersonally effective advocate, Thomas is well respected for his ability to persuasively communicate complex legal concepts to management teams, stakeholders, and senior leadership alike. Throughout his career, Thomas has established himself as a versatile problem-solver with strong analytical and project management skills. He provides guidance on a broad range of policy and regulatory matters, helping clients cultivate key relationships and influence long-term business strategy. Thomas earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and received his law degree from Boston University School of Law. Beyond his legal practice, he is an active triathlete who leverages his competitive spirit to raise contributions for socially conscious organizations, including Team in Training for ALS. He has completed numerous endurance events throughout the Tri-State area, including the NYC Marathon and the Montauk, Westchester, Greenwich, and West Point Triathlons. Thomas is admitted to practice law in New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
Paralegal
Raegan Fishback is a highly capable Paralegal. She supports the firm’s attorneys, primarily in matters concerning multiple cooperatives, condominiums, and HOA’s. Her responsibilities are extensive, including preparing a variety of critical legal documents such as liens, demand letters, payoff letters, notices, petitions, foreclosure documentation, and money judgment documentation. Raegan is also tasked with researching and reviewing complex governing documents like declarations, bylaws, and proprietary leases. Furthermore, she ensures smooth communication by facilitating correspondence between attorneys and the courts, as well as engaging daily with property managers and homeowners. She is also responsible for managing the firm’s administrative workflow. This involves maintaining the organization of case files and meticulously managing the firm’s calendar to track all critical court dates, due dates, and events. She is proficient in legal documentation preparation and management, electronic filing, time management, and possesses strong organizational and communication skills. Academically, Raegan is a distinguished graduate of Purdue University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She also completed minors in Human Rights and Law & Society. Raegan’s academic performance was exceptional, marked by a 3.92/4.00 GPA, earning her Dean’s List and Semester Honors for eight semesters. She also holds the distinction of being a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Prior to her current role, Raegan gained relevant experience as the Mayor’s Legislative Intern for the City of Indianapolis, where she conducted research on short-term rental legalities and a Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program.
Paralegal
Ashley Delance is a Paralegal where she plays a critical role in supporting the firm’s attorneys and ensuring the smooth operation of complex legal matters. Known for her exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail, Ashley is instrumental in managing case files from inception through resolution. Her responsibilities include conducting comprehensive legal research, drafting and preparing various pleadings and motions, organizing discovery, and coordinating with clients, witnesses, and opposing counsel. Ashley obtained a Legal Assistant/Paralegal Certification at Sacred Heart University which she is pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science, Criminal Justice and Corrections.
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