It takes more than aggressive advocacy and trial experience to make a successful commercial litigator. It takes the ability to look at the larger picture . . . to see the client's business goals and then develop and implement the legal strategy that furthers the client's immediate and long-range objectives. Litigators at Farrell Fritz include former judges, prosecutors, and federal and state judicial law clerks, giving our firm a broad understanding of the judicial system. This background, in combination with years of experience working with some of the region's leading corporations, has produced a team of attorneys with unique insight into the workings of the judicial system and a practical understanding of the business issues that impact litigation. Alternative Dispute Resolution Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has become a popular way for businesses to resolve differences without lengthy and costly court proceedings. Our litigators are engaged in numerous matters involving the representation of clients in arbitration, mediation, and other types of ADR. In fact, several Farrell Fritz litigators also serve on ADR panels in the metropolitan New York area. We counsel our clients at the pre-litigation stage to prepare them for every possibility and to involve them in a process that encourages parties to work together to develop creative solutions to business disputes. Appellate Practice Farrell Fritz is frequently retained to represent clients in state and federal appellate court matters. Our litigators appear regularly before the Appellate Divisions and the New York State Court of Appeals as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Some recent examples of topics addressed in our state and federal appeals include a commercial property dispute involving restrictive covenants; the scope of a municipality's responsibility to provide specific services under the Americans with Disabilities Act; a multi-million dollar real property tax exemption; the interpretation of ancient deeds in a real property dispute; an insurance carrier's rights and obligations under ERISA; banking issues involving the construction of loan documents; constitutional questions related to municipal budgets; shareholder disputes; site plan and zoning approvals under SEQRA; the constitutionality and legality of zoning decisions; and the disputed responsibility of property owners for environmental conditions. Banking Litigation Banking litigation has long been a staple of the commercial litigation practice at Farrell Fritz. We represent lenders seeking to enforce commercial loan documents and have handled some of the largest and most complex foreclosure and lender liability actions prosecuted through the court system. We routinely represent lenders in cases arising under the Uniform Commercial Code and other statutes regulating banking practices and procedures. Business Litigation The commercial litigation practice at Farrell Fritz encompasses a broad array of business disputes. We have litigated commercial cases arising under federal and state statutes which regulate our clients' businesses as well as matters involving general principles of contract law. Our decades of experience with commercial litigation issues enables us to advise clients as well as represent them in partnership and shareholder disputes, breach of contract claims, business torts, antitrust issues, unfair competition, trade secrets and intellectual property cases. Construction Litigation Farrell Fritz litigators represent a variety of clients in construction-related litigation and arbitration. We represent major developers, as well as contractors and lenders, in connection with construction disputes on both private and public projects throughout the New York-metropolitan area. Corporate Governance Litigation Farrell Fritz represents public and private companies, not-for-profit organizations and municipal entities in matters relating to their obligations under applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Litigation Farrell Fritz represents secured and unsecured creditors and other parties in interest in bankruptcy court proceedings and state court enforcement matters. We serve as counsel to creditors' committees, represent landlords and tenants whose leasehold rights are impacted by bankruptcy filings and parties interested in purchasing assets from bankruptcy estates. We also defend preference and fraudulent conveyance actions as well as claims arising out of failed business transactions. Criminal Law, Including White Collar Defense Several of our attorneys have backgrounds as federal and state prosecutors and use their experience to defend individuals and corporations in white-collar criminal proceedings and to counsel clients who may be the subject of ongoing investigations. We also represent clients in select state court criminal matters. Franchise Litigation Farrell Fritz represents franchisors and distributors in all aspects of dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration and mediation. We represent companies on a regional and national level, from first-time franchisors to multi-unit systems. Our practice group provides comprehensive litigation services on matters relating to business operations and expansion; franchisee termination, non-renewal and contractual disputes; employment issues; real estate; corporate issues; and bankruptcy. Intellectual Property Litigation Farrell Fritz has litigated copyright and trademark cases in federal and state court and has advised clients on issues relating to computer software and other licensing agreements. We also serve as trial counsel in federal court in complex patent infringement litigation. Insurance, Mass Tort and Products Liability Defense Our litigators represent corporations and insurance carriers in mass tort and products liability litigation as well as in select personal injury and property damage matters. We have also brought litigation to adjudicate coverage issues on behalf of our clients. Real Estate Litigation Farrell Fritz's deep roots in the Long Island real estate community give it a singular insight into real estate litigation. The firm litigates real estate disputes involving every conceivable issue, from title and boundary disputes, construction claims, and specific performance lawsuits to cases concerning the interpretation of restrictive covenants and other recorded instruments, adverse possession claims and partition actions. In addition to representing property owners, developers, title companies, construction firms and landlords in commercial leasing conflicts, we also litigate brokerage disputes.