SEARCH TWITTER FACEBOOK LINKEDIN ABOUT US CAREERS BLOGS OFFICES PROFESSIONALS SERVICES MEDIA LITIGATION OVERVIEW PROFESSIONALS REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS CASE STUDIES NEWS EVENTS PUBLICATIONS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES One of the region’s largest, most experienced groups of commercial trial lawyers, our Litigation Department has achieved success in hundreds of trials in state and federal courts. Throughout New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Texas and Florida we are recognized as a “bet the company” litigation team. We frequently arbitrate and mediate as alternatives to litigation. We also counsel our clients on how to avoid litigation. First and foremost, our clients see us as problem solvers. Commercial / Business Litigation We represent a diverse group of companies and individuals, from all industries, in business disputes in state and federal court litigation, through trial and appeal, as well as in mediation and arbitration. Specifically, we represent and guide clients in shareholder, partner and member disputes; contract disputes, claims of unfair competition and tortious interference, claims of state and federal statutory violations, such as antitrust, trademark, copyright and patent infringement, racketeering (RICO), and claims of fraud, whether securities, lender, consumer or business fraud, as well as numerous other types of inter- and intra-company disputes. We have vast experience in identifying, seeking and obtaining the necessary and proper legal and equitable relief and remedies required by our clients, including, but not limited to, temporary restraining orders, preliminary and permanent injunctions, declaratory judgments, specific performance and monetary damages. Construction and Real Estate Litigation We represent all sides of the construction and real estate industry in and out of court in connection with their disputes. Specifically, our clients include public and private property owners, developers, sureties, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals and real estate brokers. We have litigated matters involving purchase and/or sale transaction disputes, construction and design defects, lender liability, fraud, lease interpretation, commercial foreclosures, guarantees, construction and mechanic’s lien enforcement, payment and performance bond claims, bid protests, actions in lieu of prerogative writs and real estate tax appeals. Employment Litigation We represent both employers and individual plaintiffs, in all types of employment-related disputes in and out of court, administrative proceedings and arbitration. Specifically, we represent clients pursuing, and defending against, statutory and common law claims of unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, violation of restrictive covenants, wrongful discharge, discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, religion, race, age and sexual orientation, among other protected classes of individuals. Personal Injury, Products Liability, Medical Malpractice and Professional Malpractice Litigation We represent both individuals and professionals, as plaintiffs and defendants, in personal injury and professional negligence matters, including, but not limited to, automobile negligence cases, medical malpractice claims and slip-and-fall cases resulting in serious injury, accounting and other professional and attorney malpractice cases. In particular, we have represented hospitals in professional, nursing and general liability matters; attorneys, accountants, architects and engineers in professional negligence matters; self-insured businesses in their general liability matters; health care professionals in professional negligence cases and before state boards; manufacturers and distributors in products liability cases; as well as individuals who have been injured due to medical malpractice, negligence or defective products. Insolvency/Bankruptcy Litigation In conjunction with and in support of our Bankruptcy Department, our litigators represent our clients in the Bankruptcy Court on a wide variety of litigation issues, including, but not limited to, claims involving the validity, priority, avoidance and recharacterization of liens; preference and fraudulent conveyance claims; fiduciary duty breaches by directors and officers of distressed companies; constructive trust and alter ego / veil piercing claims; and in objecting to creditor claims. Trusts & Estates Litigation In conjunction with and in support of our Trusts & Estates Department, our litigators represent our clients in a wide variety of trust and estate litigation, including, but not limited to, will contests, probate disputes, undue influence claims, guardianship petitions and proceedings, and fiduciary accountings and breaches of fiduciary duties. White Collar Litigation & Investigations We represent and defend individuals accused of business-related crimes such as bribery, mail and wire fraud, securities fraud and tax fraud in connection with grand jury investigations and criminal trials. We also assist companies in investigating the suspected theft, bribery, embezzlement of officers and employees, and in internal ethics investigations and executive conflict determinations. Insurance Claims and Litigation We represent our clients, both insureds and insurers, in the pursuit of and in defense of insurance policy claims, as well as in indemnity, subrogation, coverage and salvage actions. RELATED SERVICES Alternative Dispute Resolution Appeals Business Owner Disputes Delaware Litigation Directors & Officers Liability Discovery Services Employment Counseling & Litigation Environmental Litigation Estates & Trusts Litigation Financial Services Litigation Foreclosure and Lender Liability Franchising Information Governance Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice Professional Services Litigation Real Property Tax Appeals Surety and Insurance Tax Controversies Tax Litigation DEPARTMENT CHAIRS Steven R. Klein TEL: 201-525-6265 MOBILE: 201-970-0669 FAX: 201-678-6265 sklein@coleschotz.com Download vCard Leo V. Leyva TEL: NY: 646-563-8930 MOBILE: 201-314-7995 FAX: NY: 646-563-7930 ALT FAX: NJ: 201-678-6294 lleyva@coleschotz.com Download vCard Warren A. Usatine TEL: 201-525-6233 MOBILE: 201-755-1532 FAX: 201-678-6233 wusatine@coleschotz.com Download vCard CASE STUDY Cole Schotz represented The RJM Fund in connection with Morgan Properties' portfolio acquisition of nearly 80 apartment communities across 8 states READ MORE Trial Ends In Complete Victory for General Contractor USA Interiors READ MORE Cole Schotz Obtains Sweeping Victory in Private Investment Fund's Fight to Enforce Security Rights and Entitlement to Insurance Proceeds READ MORE "I was blown away by the level of preparedness and sophistication from the Cole Schotz litigation team. Their knowledge of the law is impressive and they do not take shortcuts. We turn to Cole Schotz to guide us through our most complex and high-stakes litigation." -Andrew J. Russell, Founder and Chief Executive of Stairway Capital + SITEMAP Disclaimer Attorney Advertising NEW JERSEY NEW YORK DELAWARE MARYLAND TEXAS FLORIDA Hosted on the FirmWise platform. ©2021 Cole Schotz P.C. × For Important Legal Updates and Resources on the Coronavirus Click Here.