NEW YORK – May 2, 2022 – With the white-hot New York City real estate market continuing to generate headlines, Cozen O’Connor announced veteran real estate litigator and dispute resolution practitioner Scott J. Pashman has joined its New York Real Estate Practice. Pashman, who focuses on condominium, cooperative, and homeowners’ association disputes, joins the firm as a member and will take up residence in the firm’s Manhattan office located at 3 World Trade Center.
“With so many condos recently completed or under construction and under-utilized office buildings being repurposed for residential use, the demand for the type of legal representation Scott brings to the table will only continue to accelerate,” said James Williams, co-chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice. “Scott brings us a 20-plus-year track record of successfully resolving real estate disputes in New York City, including more than a decade resolving condo, coop, and homeowner association disputes — often before they go to trial, which greatly benefits his clients.”
“A key to Scott’s success is that he’s handled condominium and coop matters from both the sponsor and unit owner/board sides,” said Michael C. Schmidt, co-managing partner of Cozen O’Connor’s New York office. “By understanding the opposing side’s perspective, he can better anticipate the direction the dispute will take and advise his client accordingly. I’m thrilled he’s chosen to join us and I’m certain our city-based real estate clients will be too.”
Pashman’s background includes managing a wide range of real estate disputes and clients, including insurance providers challenging lead contamination claims; landlords embroiled in rent stabilization disputes; investors, property owners, and mortgagees involved in boundary and easement, adverse possession, construction defect, and mortgage fraud litigation; architects in contractual disputes arising from MTA construction projects; and landlords/tenants challenging the New York State Attorney General and New York City Mayor’s Office regarding short-term Airbnb rentals.
“My ability to explain each step in the litigation process to non-lawyers — typically condo/coop unit owners/shareholders, residents serving on a condo/coop board, or real estate professionals serving as a project’s sponsor/developer — is probably my greatest asset,” Pashman said. “When the client understands the key aspects of the case, they can conduct a cost-benefit analysis at each stage of the lawsuit and confidently decide whether to move forward.”
Pashman is a three-time New York Metro Area Super Lawyer Rising Star for Business Litigation and two-time recipient of the Pro Bono Publico award from the Legal Aid Society for representing undocumented immigrants in removal proceedings. Pashman earned his J.D. at New York Law School and a B.A. in Political Science at Rutgers University.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 825 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 32 offices across two continents.
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