516-227-0700

Eric W.
Penzer

Estate Litigation
Trusts & Estates

Partner

Uniondale

T: 516-227-0618

LinkedIn Icon

About Eric

Eric W. Penzer concentrates in trust and estate litigation. His practice includes contested probate proceedings, fiduciary accounting proceedings, discovery proceedings, and other litigation related to estates and trusts. He is a frequent contributor to Farrell Fritz’s New York Trusts & Estates Litigation blog, a frequent author, and lecturer on trust and estate litigation topics.

Credentials

Education

  • Fordham University School of Law
  • State University of New York at Stony Brook

Affiliations & Appointments

  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow
  • New York State Bar Association, Member, Executive Committee, Trusts and Estates Section
  • New York State Bar Association, Former Chairperson, Practice & Ethics Committee, Trusts and Estates Section
  • New York State Bar Association, Former Chairperson, Litigation Committee, Trusts and Estates Section
  • New York City Bar Association, Member, Estates & Gift Taxation Committee
  • Nassau County Bar Association, Member, Surrogate's Court Estates & Trusts Committee
  • Read More

Articles & Advisories

Enforceability of a “Personal Guaranty” Clause

Reprinted with permission from NYSBA Journal, September 2015 issue. A potential client is the nominated executor under the will of…

September 22, 2015

Read more

Getting the Last Word, or, A Good Stout Rope

Reprinted with permission from: Trusts and Estates Law Section Newsletter, Summer 2012, Vol 45, No. 2, published by the New…

September 27, 2012

Read more

Cutting Family Ties: The Inheritance Rights of Adopted-Out Children

Reprinted with permission from the New York State Bar Association Journal, February 2009, Vol. 81, No. 2, published by the…

February 25, 2009

Read more

Vacating Surrogate’s Court Judgments, Orders and Decrees

Reprinted with permission from the New York State Bar Journal, July/August 2008, Vol. 80, No. 6, published by the New…

July 01, 2008

Read more

Planning Ahead: Second Circuit Clarifies Scope of Probate Exception to Federal Jurisdiction

Reprinted with permission from the New York State Bar Journal, January 2008, Vol. 80, No. 1, published by the New…

January 01, 2008

Read more

Dead Man’s Statute: Use in Summary Judgment Motions

June 01, 2007

Read more

Uncertainty Continues Over Inheritance Rights of Adopted-Out Children

June 01, 2007

Read more

Outside Counsel: Dead Man’s Statute: Use in Summary Judgment Motions

April 03, 2007

Read more

Use of the "Secret Trust" Doctrine to Effectuate a Decedent’s Intent

Originally published in Volume 40, No. 1 of NYSBA Trusts and Estates Law Section Newsletter (Fall 2006), a publication of…

March 01, 2007

Read more

The Probate Exception to Federal Jurisdiction

Originally published in Volume 39, No. 3 of NYSBA Trusts and Estates Law Section Newsletter (Fall 2006), a publication of…

November 01, 2006

Read more

Reformation proceedings in the Surrogate’s court

May 01, 2006

Read more

Court of Appeals clarifies inheritance rights of adopted-out children

January 01, 2006

Read more

Restrictive Covenants Can Be a Valuable Business Tool

October 28, 2005

Read more

Electronic Discovery: An Overview

October 01, 2004

Read more

When a Mortgage Commitment Is Issued But Later Revoked, Who Keeps the Down Payment?

Reprinted with permission from the New York State Bar Association Journal, September 2004, Vol. 76, No. 7, published by the…

September 01, 2004

Read more

Commercial Justices Apply Rules of Contract Interpretation in Insurance Cases

In two recent decisions, the Justices of the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, applied well-established principles of…

July 01, 2004

Read more

Focus on Business and Corporate Law: Is There a Fiduciary Relationship Between Franchisor and Franc

In franchise litigation, it is not uncommon for franchisees to argue that a fiduciary relationship exists between them and their…

March 01, 2004

Read more

Beware of Claims Based on Misuse of Advertising Contributions

The advertising fund is an important component of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. However, with it comes important rights and obligations for…

January 01, 2004

Read more

Is There Ever A Fiduciary Relationship Between Franchisor and Franchisee?

In franchise litigation, it is not uncommon for franchisees to argue that a fiduciary relationship exists between them and their…

September 01, 2003

Read more

The ‘Shindler Rule’ An Exception to the Rule on Attorney’s Fees

May 21, 2003

Read more

New Law Simplifies Procedures For Non-Party Discovery

On Sept. 24, 2002, Governor Pataki signed a law1 designed to simplify the process of obtaining discovery from non-party witnesses.…

February 01, 2003

Read more

Statements of Material Facts in Summary Judgment Motions Require Careful Draftmanship

February 01, 2003

Read more

New Law Impacts On Internet Branding

Since the explosion of the commercial Internet in the mid-1990s, companies and individuals have occasionally found their trademarks or names…

April 17, 2000

Read more

Read More

Podcasts

ACTEC Trust and Estate Talk: Creditors' Rights vs. Trustees' Protections


September 28, 2021

Listen to Episode

News

Eric Penzer Recognized in Long Island Business News’ Leadership in Law Program

Farrell Fritz Partner Eric Penzer has been recognized in Long Island Business News’ Leadership in Law program. This awards event…

November 17, 2022

Read more

Where There’s a Will Doesn’t Always Mean There’s a Way

May 20, 2011

Read more

Farrell Fritz Launches New York Trusts & Estates Litigation Blog

Farrell Fritz trusts and estates associates, Jaclene L. D’Agostino, Robert M. Harper and Frank T. Santoro will also contribute to…

January 26, 2009

Read more

JLNS – Law Firm News – Eric W. Penzer to Receive LIBN 40 Under 40 Award

January 08, 2009

Read more

Read More

Press Releases

23 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice

Farrell Fritz has a combined total of 23 attorneys selected to the 2023 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…

September 26, 2023

Read more

29 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2024 Leading Lawyers by Best Lawyers

Farrell Fritz congratulates 19 attorneys on being selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©  2024.…

August 18, 2023

Read more

22 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2022 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice

Farrell Fritz has a combined total of 22 attorneys selected to the 2022 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…

September 29, 2022

Read more

21 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Leading Lawyers by Best Lawyers

Farrell Fritz congratulates 17 attorneys on being selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©  2023.…

August 18, 2022

Read more

Five Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized in Chambers 2022 High Net Worth Rankings

Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that Estate Litigation partners John (Jack) J. Barnosky, Neil V. Carbone, Brian P. Corrigan,…

July 14, 2022

Read more

27 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2021 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice

Farrell Fritz has a combined total of 27 attorneys selected to the 2021 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…

September 30, 2021

Read more

17 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2022 Leading Lawyers by Best Lawyers

Farrell Fritz congratulates 12 attorneys on being selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©  2022.…

August 19, 2021

Read more

Four Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized in Chambers 2021 High Net Worth Rankings

Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that Estate Litigation partners John (Jack) J. Barnosky, Neil V. Carbone, John R. Morken,…

August 10, 2021

Read more

30 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2020 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice

Farrell Fritz has a combined total of 30 attorneys selected to the 2020 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…

November 04, 2020

Read more

29 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2019 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice

Farrell Fritz has a combined total of 29 attorneys selected to the 2019 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…

September 17, 2019

Read more

Ten Farrell Fritz Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America© 2020

Farrell Fritz congratulates ten attorneys on being selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020.…

August 15, 2019

Read more

30 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2018 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice

Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 30 attorneys selected to the 2018 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…

September 13, 2018

Read more

Ten Farrell Fritz Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America© 2019

Farrell Fritz congratulates ten attorneys on being selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019.…

August 09, 2018

Read more

Farrell Fritz Receives Tier 1 Ranking in 2018 U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms”

Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that, for the sixth consecutive year, the firm has received a Tier 1 Ranking…

November 01, 2017

Read more

31 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2017 Leading Lawyers in their Respective Areas of Practice

Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 31 attorneys selected to the 2017 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…

September 20, 2017

Read more

Ten Farrell Fritz Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America 2018

Farrell Fritz congratulates ten attorneys on being selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018.…

August 15, 2017

Read more

30 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2016 Leading Lawyers in their Respective Areas of Practice

Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 30 attorneys selected to the 2016 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…

September 21, 2016

Read more

Nine Farrell Fritz Partners Named to The Best Lawyers in America© 2017

Farrell Fritz congratulates nine partners on being selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2017.…

August 16, 2016

Read more

30 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2015 Leading Lawyers in their Respective Areas of Practice

Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 30 attorneys selected to the 2015 New York Super Lawyers and New York…

September 16, 2015

Read more

Seven Farrell Fritz Partners Named to The Best Lawyers in America© 2016

Farrell Fritz congratulates seven partners on being selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016.…

August 21, 2015

Read more

Farrell Fritz Attorneys Receive Pro Bono Recognition Award

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015, the Nassau County Bar Association held its first annual Access to Justice Pro Bono Recognition…

April 15, 2015

Read more

30 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2014 Leading Lawyers in their Respective Areas of Practice

Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 30 attorneys named to the 2014 New York Super Lawyers and New York…

September 23, 2014

Read more

Farrell Fritz Partners Named to the New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

Farrell Fritz congratulates seven partners on being selected for inclusion on the New York Super Lawyers 2011 – Metro Edition…

October 27, 2011

Read more

Farrell Fritz Partner, Eric W. Penzer, to Receive Long Island Business News "40 Under 40" Award

December 24, 2008

Read more

Eric W. Penzer Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Long Island Elite

February 20, 2007

Read more

Farrell Fritz Announces Attorney Promotions

January 17, 2007

Read more

Farrell Fritz Attorneys Receive Top Honors and Notable Appointments

February 25, 2005

Read more

Read More

Pro Bono

Child Abuse And Domestic Violence Organizations Open Under One Roof

The Safe Center LI is a unique collaboration among two nonprofit organizations – the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN)…

January 25, 2011

Read more

Recognition

icon of a star inside a flag

American College of Trusts & Estates Council (ACTEC)

Fellow

icon of a star inside a flag

AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell

Peer Review Rating

icon of a star inside a flag

The Best Lawyers in America

Litigation—Trusts & Estates 2016–Present

icon of a star inside a flag

The Best Lawyers in America

Lawyer of the Year—Long Island 2018, 2023

icon of a star inside a flag

Super Lawyers

New York—Metro Edition (Estate & Trust Litigation) 2014–Present

icon of a star inside a flag

Super Lawyers

Rising Stars 2011

icon of a star inside a flag

Nassau County Bar Association

2015 Access to Justice Pro Bono Award

icon of a star inside a flag

Chambers and Partners

Private Wealth Disputes – New York

Community Work

Eric is a vice president and member of the board of directors of The Safe Center LI, located in Bethpage, a nonprofit agency serving the victims of domestic abuse and child abuse. In 2015, he received the Nassau County Bar Association’s Access to Justice Award for his pro bono work.