Government Relations
New York State Association for Affordable Housing – Challenge to Local Law 44
Representing the New York State Association for Affordable Housing and individual developers in litigation seeking to invalidate Local Law 44 - which requires any developer receiving city funding to submit quarterly wage reports - as unconstitutional, pre-empted by New York state law, and imposing an unreasonable economic burden on small businesses competing for affordable housing work.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Developers – Dismissal of Lawsuits Seeking to Halt Construction
Successfully defended the developers of a $320 million Brooklyn Bridge Park hotel and condominium project, defeating two lawsuits filed by activists seeking to halt construction of the project. In a decision of significance to the New York real estate industry, Herrick secured an order in New York state court denying plaintiffs’ motions for both an injunction and a declaratory judgment that the planned buildings exceeded height limitations specified in the project’s governing documents. The court found that the development complied with the law and further ruled the legal challenge barred by the statute of limitations for bringing an Article 78 proceeding. Herrick then defeated a second lawsuit claiming to assert a different land use violation, securing dismissal of the complaint on the grounds of failure to exhaust administrative remedies, statute of limitations and res judicata. Herrick continues to represent the clients on the plaintiffs’ appeal.
Developer – Dispute with the City of Long Beach, New York
Representing a real estate owner/developer in a high-profile dispute with the City of Long Beach, New York over zoning ordinances relating to a planned four tower residential project. In what has become one of the longest-running land use litigations in the country, Herrick helped to secure significant appellate wins, including an order permitting our client to seek damages in excess of $50 million, including interest and legal fees, against the City, and a judgment declaring it entitled to a building permit that would allow completion of the ocean front development as originally approved. In more recent rulings, the Appellate Division, Second Department held that the City had defaulted in serving an amended answer to our suit and failed to proffer a legally sufficient excuse for its default. The court further held that the individual City defendants named in our complaint should not have been dismissed from the litigation by the trial court and can therefore be held liable for damages.
Real Estate Developer – NYS Attorney General Investigation Resolved Favorably
Achieved a highly favorable settlement involving no admission of wrongdoing on behalf of a real estate developer and two of its principals in an investigation by the New York State Attorney General into alleged improper lead removal procedures and harassment of tenants.
International Residential Developer – Regulatory Investigations
Advising one of the world’s largest residential developers with respect to regulatory investigations relating to the removal of deed restrictions on a Manhattan property.
Outlet Mall Developer – Regulatory Investigation
Representing the developer of a New York City outlet mall in an investigation into whether New York State Empire Development Corporation’s financial support for economic development projects has been influenced by developer political contributions.
Construction Firm – NYC Department of Buildings Investigation
Negotiated a highly favorable settlement on behalf of a construction firm to resolve an investigation by the NYC Department of Buildings into the alleged filing of a false affidavit with a governmental agency.
Public Utility – Interference Work Dispute
Advising a major public utility company on a dispute and possible arbitration involving over 1,600 invoices for interference work related to a major public improvement project for the City of New York.
Affordable Housing Developer – Resolution of Breach of Contract Claims against NYCHA
Negotiated a favorable settlement on behalf of a national developer of affordable housing, resolving a breach of contract litigation against the New York City Housing Authority related to a high-profile and long-stalled project to redevelop a large New York City public housing complex.
DataTreasury and Company Executives – Defense of $185 Million ‘Pay to Prosecute’ Lawsuit
Herrick and co-counsel negotiated a favorable settlement for DataTreasury and two of the company's executives, bringing to an end a $185 million dollar lawsuit filed by Long Island attorney Robert Del Col and his client Ted Doukas against multiple defendants, including our clients and former Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. The complaint, filed by plaintiffs who had been involved in a dispute over patent royalties with DataTreasury, alleged that the plaintiffs' arrest and indictment for grand larceny had been motivated by campaign contributions made by the company to the Nassau County District Attorney's office. Following the court's dismissal of several of the plaintiffs' claims, this litigation was settled in an agreement that contemplated no admission or finding of wrongdoing by any defendant and for a small fraction of the damages claimed.
Staten Island Retail Center Complex Development
Representing the Alpert family in connection with the development of a large shopping center complex in Staten Island. Our work includes a significant Uniform Land Use Review Process application involving street mappings, special permits, government relations activities and an environmental impact statement.
Real Estate Executive – Public Corruption Prosecution
Representation of a business executive charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York with conspiring to bribe a public official and money laundering. Resulted in the U.S. Attorneys' Office determining to drop all charges against our client.
Major International Technology Company – Government Procurement Assistance
Assistance to a multi-billion dollar technology company which provides automated time and attendance systems in its dealings with the City of New York's technology officials.
Small Hotel Owners Association – Regulatory and Legislative Advice
Representation of the Small Hotel Owners Association in its dealing with the New York City government. We counsel the association and its members on how to respond to the city's efforts to regulate the industry. We negotiate legislation and zoning changes and advance the industry's interests before the relevant city agencies and elected officials.
Private Company – Political Misuse Investigation
Representation of a private company in connection with a state Attorney General's investigation into whether a former governor improperly used the company to engage in "dirty tricks" against a political rival.
Real Estate Board of New York – Mitchell-Lama Litigation
Representation of the Real Estate board of New York in its successful lawsuit against the New York City Council to overturn Local Law 79. The law required owners of Mitchell-Lama housing and housing subsidized by certain federal programs to give a right of first refusal to purchase their projects to tenants, pursuant to an ambiguous and burdensome process. The Court found that the law was preempted by federal and state housing laws, and enjoined the City from enforcing it.
New York City Restaurant – Employment Issues and Audit
Representation of a famous New York City restaurant in employment issues and a Department of Labor audit.
Real Estate Developer – Mixed Use Conversion
Successful representation of a developer in litigation over its right to convert a building it purchased from office/retail use to mixed office/retail and residential use.
Subsidized Housing Project Sponsor – Market Rate Conversion
Representation of a sponsor in settling a litigation involving the sponsor's effort to convert one of New York City's largest Mitchell-Lama subsidized housing projects (some 1,200 units on Manhattan's Upper East Side) to market rate housing. The settlement involved the creation of entirely new subsidy programs by the city and by the sponsor, and an approximately $550 million condominium conversion.
Former Government Official – Conflict of Interest Investigation
Representation of a former senior official of New York City's Economic Development Corporation before the city's Conflict of Interest Board in connection with publicly reported allegations of improprieties.
Telecommunications Equipment Company – New York City Comptroller Investigation
Representation of a major telecommunications company in a high-profile investigation by the Comptroller of the City of New York into the sale of two-way radio equipment. We obtained full payment of multi-million dollar invoices for the company.
Asphalt Contractor – Post 9/11 Reconstruction Bidding Dispute
Representation of an asphalt contractor in challenging the bidding procedure used by New York City and utility companies to award significant street reconstruction work near the World Trade Center site after the September 11th terrorist attacks. We obtained several temporary stays on the grounds that the bidding procedure violated public procurement laws. The city cancelled its invitation to bid and used a different procurement procedure.