News & Insights
Read about developments including new services, practices, and professionals to better serve our clients as well as our contributions to the legal and business communities.
How to Make Your Co-op Fix What’s Broken
A recent New York Times Real Estate column on March 7, 2026 discussed a topic that many New York co-op shareholders face: what happens when a board fails to address building violations or structural concerns? In the article, a Queens co-op resident expressed concern...
When Co-op Boards Cross the Line: What Shareholders Can Do to Reclaim Control
A recent New York Times Real Estate column on May 31, 2025 brought attention to a frustrating and all-too-common problem in New York City co-op buildings: shareholder disenfranchisement. When co-op boards operate in secrecy, dodge elections, or make it difficult for...
Secondhand Smoke in Co-op Buildings: What Shareholders Can Do When It Invades Their Space
For co-op and condo residents in New York City, dealing with secondhand smoke from neighboring units can be more than just a nuisance, it can affect health, quality of life, and even property values. While residents may have the right to smoke in their own apartments,...
Understanding Your Rights as a Co-op Shareholder During Local Law 11 Facade Repairs
As New York City residents know all too well, Local Law 11 mandates inspections and repairs of building facades every five years for structures taller than six stories. While this law was enacted to prevent accidents caused by falling debris from neglected buildings,...
What Provisions Should Your Building’s Alteration Agreement Contain?
In most New York City cooperatives and condominiums at any given time, shareholders and owners are renovating their apartments. To renovate, rules need to be carefully followed so as not to cause destruction to the building or disruption to neighbors. Thus, the...
New York Times “Ask Real Estate” Section Quotes Debra J. Guzov about Condo Board Elections
In The New York Times “Ask Real Estate” column published on July 13, 2024, Debra J. Guzov weighed in on what action condo owners can take to compel an overdue election of board members. In the article, "Is Your Condo Board Falling Short? Here’s How to Take Over,"...