On March 27, 2008, the Firm won a non-jury verdict in Supreme Court, Suffolk County, on behalf of our client, a chiropractor, in a dispute over a contract for the sale of her chiropractic practice to the purchaser/plaintiff. The plaintiff claimed that our client had breached the restrictive covenant contained in the contract, and sought monetary damages. Our client counterclaimed for damages stemming from the plaintiff's failure to pay the remainder of the note in accordance with the contract. Russell Penzer and Giuseppe Franzella of the Firm's Litigation Practice Group successfully argued before the Hon. Peter Fox Cohalan that the plaintiff did not suffer any damages from the alleged breach and therefore was not entitled to recovery, and that our client was entitled to payment of the note. Justice Cohalan, ruling from the bench, found in favor of our client and denied recovery to the plaintiff.
Christopher Lund recently joined the Firm as an Associate in the Real Estate Practice Group and was admitted to the bar on March 5, 2008. Mr. Lund is a 2007 graduate of Cornell Law School.
Russell Penzer was promoted to Partner in the Firm's Litigation Practice Group, effective January 1, 2008.
On December 7, 2007, the Firm won a jury verdict in Supreme Court, Suffolk County on behalf of client Sentry Technology Corporation of Ronkonkoma, the defendant in a brokerage commission dispute. An issue of first impression, the plaintiff broker claimed that Sentry violated the broker's exclusive right to negotiate for and secure a release of Sentry's liability under a commercial lease by excluding the broker from settlement negotiations which arose after Sentry’s landlord sued Sentry for eviction and non-payment of rent. The broker sought a $289,000 commission.
Christian Browne, Associate in the Firm's Litigation Practice Group, successfully persuaded the jury that the brokerage agreement's exclusivity provision did not impose an obligation on Sentry to refer lawsuit settlement offers and negotiations to the broker. The jury returned unanimous verdicts in favor of the defendant in less than two hours.
On October 21, 2007, the new Touro Law Center in Central Islip was dedicated. The Dean announced that the four story atrium at the entrance to the building has been named in honor of Justice Leon Lazer, counsel to the Firm. Justice Lazer is a professor at the Touro Law School and Chair of the Pattern Jury Committee.
Michael Fitzpatrick recently joined the Firm as an Associate (pending bar admission) in the Corporate and Business Practice Groups. Mr. Fitzpatrick is a 2007 graduate of the St. John's University Law School.
Christian Browne recently joined the Firm as an Associate in the Litigation Practice Group. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Browne served for three years as an Assistant District Attorney with the New York County District Attorney's Office.
Amy E. Bedell, an Associate in the Firm's Litigation Practice Group, has been elected by the Suffolk County Women's Bar Association as a Delegate to the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York for 2007/2008.
Robin S. Abramowitz, co-chair of the Firm's Litigation Practice Group, has been elected Corresponding Secretary of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York for 2007/2008.
Amy E. Bedell, an Associate in the Firm's Litigation Practice Group, has been elected Corresponding Secretary of the Suffolk County Women's Bar Association for 2007/2008.
Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid, P.C. sponsored its 10th Annual Kings Park 15K Race to benefit families afflicted by brain tumors on March 10, 2007.
Steven B. Aptheker, Co-Founder of the Firm and Partner in the Firm's Litigation and Transactional Practice Groups was honored by the Suffolk County Bar Association as Pro Bono Attorney of the Month on April 20, 2006.
Robin S. Abramowitz, Co-Chair of the Firm's Litigation Practice Group, was sworn in as President of the Suffolk County Women's Bar Association for 2006/2007.
Joseph C. Savino recently joined the Firm as a Partner in the Banking Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Savino was previously a partner of Zavatsky, Mendelsohn, Gross, Savino & Levy, LLP in Syosset.
Jennifer Silvestro recently joined the Firm as an Associate in the Banking Litigation Practice Group. Ms. Silvestro was previously associated with the firm of Zavatsky, Mendelsohn, Gross, Savino & Levy, LLP in Syosset.