May 2012
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Counsel with the Counselors: Get Your Legal Questions Answered Without Paying a Lawyer

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It can be a question about the implications of a construction project, the fine print in a contract, or an owner’s liability in emergencies — but chances are that while on the job,  you’ve had a question arise more than once  that could have benefitted from the counsel of a real estate lawyer.

You can get the answers to those questions and the tools to develop your own legal solutions at a unique seminar, "Counsel with the Counselors" created by BOMA/NY’s Professional Development Committee to "assist you on how to spot, think about, analyze and solve your thorniest legal issues," said John (Jack) Osborn, Esq., who will serve as moderator.

Jack also emphasized that "while the attorneys’ discussions will be pertinent, factual and informative, they will not be case-specific and should not be regarded as legal advice or opinion. The information given should be viewed as general guidance. Individuals needing specific advice or solutions should contact their own lawyer directly." Please see the disclaimer in the blue at the end of the story.

The seminar format features a new twist so everyone attending can have their questions answered in four key areas: service contracts/purchase orders, construction, leasing and environmental. Lawyers specializing in each area (see below) will be positioned at tables designated for each of the five specialties, and can accommodate eight to 10 seminar participants at one time. Participants remain at their tables and will be addressed by each lawyer in 15-minute sessions, which allows every participant to ask questions of each attorney.

The seminar wraps up with a 30-minute session including audience Q&A and highlighting lessons learned.

As a participant, you can rest assured you’ll be counseled by some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys in real estate, as this brief credentials overview of our legal team will demonstrate.

John E. ("Jack") Osborn, Esq. is one of New York State’s premiere strategists and problem solvers in negotiating contracts and advising companies on business, government relations and commercial matters. He has represented owners on multi-hundred-million-dollar projects, which are among the largest and highest profile in the metropolitan area.

C. Jaye Berger, Esq. is an experienced real estate and construction litigation attorney who has been widely published on legal and industry topics.

Elise G. Liebowitz, Esq. is one of New York City’s most prominent real estate attorneys who has practiced at major Wall Street firms and represented, among others, sophisticated owners, landlords and real estate investment trusts.

Howard Tollin, Esq. is an attorney and Managing Director and on the Executive Committee of Aon Global Risk Solution’s environmental practice. He has spoken and written extensively, and is Editor-in-Chief of the Environmental Claims Journal. He was named Environmental Power Broker by Risk & Insurance Magazine (2009, 2012).

John Simoni, Esq. of Goetz Fitzpatrick LLP specializes in professional liability defense, litigation and labor employment for some of the real estate industry’s leading owners, developers, contractors and design professionals. He has earned the AV Preeminent rating (Hubbel Martindale), been designated as a "Superlawyer" by his peers in construction law, and named the 2011-12 BOMA/NY Outstanding Local Member of the Year for 2011-12.

Mark C. Pennington, Esq. heads the environmental law practice at John E. Osborn P.C. Previously, he practiced in the New York office of Morgan Lewis, where his practice included cleanups before local, state and federal agencies, proactive compliance counseling, environmental management systems, due diligence and contract negotiation.

DISCLAIMER: Neither BOMA New York nor the attorneys with whom you will be interacting will be providing legal opinions or legal advice. The attorneys will be demonstrating how to spot, analyze and approach legal issues for informational purposes only. Be advised that if you attend and participate, you should not divulge confidential, privileged or sensitive information which may be the sole property of your company or employer.