Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution
When a dispute becomes a fight, experience on both sides of the table matters. I have litigated at every level — federal and state court, arbitration, and administrative proceedings — on behalf of restaurant and hotel owners facing their most consequential legal conflicts. Whether the issue is a partner who needs to be stopped, a vendor who failed to perform, a landlord pursuing a wrongful eviction, or a claim that puts the business or its owners personally at risk, the goal is the same: protect what my clients built and resolve the matter on the best possible terms.
Business Divorce & Ownership Disputes
Partnership and co-ownership disputes are among the most destructive legal crises a hospitality business can face. They move fast, they are expensive, and they put the business itself at risk. I represent partners, shareholders, and LLC members across the full spectrum of ownership conflicts — acting decisively when a business is under immediate threat and methodically when a negotiated resolution is achievable.
- Business divorce and operating agreement enforcement
- Minority shareholder and member oppression claims
- Breach of fiduciary duty and self-dealing claims
- Emergency injunctions and temporary restraining orders
- Receivership applications and asset preservation
- Forensic accounting and financial investigation coordination
- Buyout negotiation and judicial dissolution proceedings
- Buy-sell agreement drafting and enforcement
Commercial Litigation
Beyond ownership disputes, hospitality businesses face a wide range of commercial conflicts — with landlords, vendors, former employees, contractors, insurers, and competitors. I handle the full range of commercial litigation matters that arise across the life of a restaurant or hotel, with a focus on resolving disputes efficiently and protecting the business’s ability to keep operating while litigation proceeds.
- Landlord-tenant disputes, wrongful eviction, and lease enforcement
- Vendor and supplier contract disputes
- Insurance coverage disputes and bad faith claims
- Non-compete and trade secret enforcement and defense
- Fraud and misrepresentation claims
- Contract drafting and enforcement across hospitality operations
- Judgment enforcement and collection
- Pre-litigation demand and negotiation strategy
What is a ‘business divorce’ and how does it happen in the restaurant industry?
A “business divorce” is the legal process where co-owners end their ownership relationship through negotiation or litigation. In restaurants, this is common because many partnerships start informally, and personal relationships often blur with business decisions.
Common causes include unequal work contributions, disputes over compensation or expenses, disagreements about growth or reinvestment, personal relationship breakdowns, financial misconduct, and deadlock on major decisions. The lack of a clear operating agreement—especially buy-sell and deadlock provisions—often turns manageable disputes into costly litigation.
What is minority oppression in a restaurant LLC, and what can I do about it?
Minority oppression occurs when a majority owner uses their control to harm a minority owner’s economic interests—such as excluding them from management, withholding distributions, paying themselves excessive compensation, or diverting company opportunities. Under New York law, majority owners owe minority owners a fiduciary duty, even if an operating agreement doesn’t address the conduct.
Minority owners who are locked out, denied distributions, or have their interest devalued may have legal remedies, including claims for breach of fiduciary duty, judicial dissolution, restraining orders, and demands to inspect company records.
Can I get an emergency restraining order against my restaurant partner?
Yes. New York courts can grant emergency injunctive relief in restaurant partnership disputes without waiting for a full hearing. To obtain it, a party must show a likelihood of success, irreparable harm that money can’t fix, and that the balance of equities favors relief.
In restaurant cases, irreparable harm is often found because a restaurant’s value can quickly decline if funds are diverted, management fails, or customer relationships suffer. Emergency relief is commonly sought when a partner locks another out, withdraws business funds for personal use, solicits staff or customers for a competing venture, or threatens harmful actions—making quick action critical.