Peter A. Schwartz

Graubard Miller represents a broad spectrum of clients in connection with complex and wide-ranging real estate matters. The firm’s clients include owners, developers, and managing agents of commercial and residential properties, as well as lending institutions, sponsors, and boards of cooperative housing corporations and condominium associations. Its attorneys bring insight and creativity to structuring transactions that support clients’ goals and improve financial outcomes. The firm provides experienced counsel at every stage—from due diligence through acquisition, management, and development.

Real Estate Transactional Work:
A real estate transaction carries significant stakes for all parties involved. Graubard Miller’s attorneys deliver a comprehensive suite of services and strategic advice to help ensure that transactions proceed smoothly and successfully, minimizing risk and avoiding deal disruption.

Commercial Leasing:
The firm negotiates and prepares leases on behalf of owners, tenants, and subtenants for professional and retail spaces, including offices, industrial facilities, restaurants, showrooms, and studios. Drawing on deep experience in landlord-tenant law, real estate transactions, and tax law, the firm crafts leases tailored to clients’ specific operational and business objectives.

Cooperatives and Condominiums:
Graubard Miller represents sponsors and boards of cooperative corporations and condominium associations as general counsel, advising on corporate governance, operations, and litigation. The firm also represents cooperative tenants/shareholders and condominium unit owners in disputes involving sponsors, boards, and other owners. Its attorneys handle sales, purchases, leasing, and financing matters, including the refinancing of underlying mortgages and related transactions.

Landlord/Tenant Matters:
Graubard Miller advocates for clients in landlord-tenant matters before Civil Court, Supreme Court, and appellate courts. The firm handles commercial and residential holdover proceedings, commercial nonpayment proceedings, and contract and lease disputes. It provides defense in rent overcharge and harassment claims, including class actions, and challenges determinations by governmental agencies—such as the DHCR—through article 78 proceedings. The firm’s extensive litigation experience and deep knowledge of landlord-tenant law and rent regulation allow it to offer focused, strategic guidance aimed at achieving client objectives through negotiation or litigation.

Rent Regulation and Administrative Law:
With longstanding experience in rent regulation, Graubard Miller identifies and addresses issues that affect building management and profitability. The firm regularly appears before administrative agencies overseeing real estate and challenges agency determinations through article 78 proceedings and appeals. Its work before the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) includes matters involving rent overcharge, rent stabilization coverage, registration and compliance, and substantial rehabilitation. The firm also represents clients in audits conducted by the Tenant Protection Unit (TPU). In addition, Graubard Miller defends clients against discrimination claims before the New York State Division of Human Rights and the New York City Commission on Human Rights.

Based in New York City and serving clients nationwide as well as internationally, Graubard Miller provides the caliber of representation typically associated with larger firms, but without the large-firm cost. The firm’s longstanding client relationships reflect its deep commitment to client service. Its core practice areas include corporate and securities law, litigation, real estate, trusts and estates, employment, intellectual property, and taxation. All attorneys are licensed to practice in the State of New York, with additional admissions in Connecticut and New Jersey.

Graubard Miller is recognized nationally for its corporate and securities practice, particularly in public and private offerings and its work with emerging growth companies. The firm has consistently ranked among the top U.S. firms for the number of public offerings handled, providing high-level expertise with the attentiveness and efficiency of a boutique practice. Managing Partner David Alan Miller is also credited as a pioneer of the SPAC structure.

The firm represents clients across industries in corporate matters, as well as in litigation for multinational corporations, mid-sized companies, and individuals, focusing on cost-effective strategies that meet both legal and business objectives.

Graubard Miller’s real estate practice covers the full spectrum of transactions and disputes, including commercial and residential deals, 1031 exchanges, joint ventures, leasing matters, and landlord-tenant litigation before New York courts and regulatory agencies.

Its employment practice advises executives and HR leaders on issues such as discrimination, disability, FMLA, wage and hour compliance, and workplace policies, while also helping clients prepare for and navigate employment disputes.

The firm’s trusts and estates team develops tailored estate-planning strategies, particularly for clients with substantial assets and multigenerational planning needs. Its tax practice counsels domestic and international businesses, frequently advising on the tax aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and other complex transactions.