Our team of experienced trial lawyers represent national and regional banks and other financial institutions in litigations throughout the country.
We represent national and regional banks, and other financial institutions in litigations throughout the United States, involving banking law, commercial foreclosures and asset recovery, fraud and business torts, debtor-creditor disputes, lender liability, inter-creditor disputes, and Uniform Commercial Code issues. The following are some highlights that distinguish us from other firms practicing in these areas of the law.
Our team of experienced trial lawyers has successfully recovered well over one hundred million dollars on defaulted loans and foreclosed and obtained title to many, highly-valued commercial properties. We also have defended clients in hundreds of banking and consumer finance defensive litigations throughout the United States. In the past two years alone, we defended over 150 actions in Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, Kentucky, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont and Minnesota, with nearly all claims expeditiously dismissed with no payment by our clients. In fact, we recovered more money from debtor-claimants than our clients paid out in settlements in these defensive litigations.
We recognize that litigation arises within a business context. True success in litigation, therefore, requires obtaining favorable results quickly, which limits the cost of the conflict. To this end, we use smaller teams with deeper knowledge of the facts and applicable law in each case. We attack each new case and devise aggressive, phased strategies designed to maximize benefits, minimize exposure for our clients, and achieve very favorable resolutions without protracted litigation. We are committed to the objective of achieving superior results with strong cost discipline and offer innovative pricing structures for the management of multi-state litigation portfolios with success criteria.
Being prepared is paramount. The source of skillful action is knowledge. We conduct regular audits of the online court dockets to determine the latest litigation practices being used by debt reduction and consumer law firms, and proactively develop pre-litigation protocols and tailored litigation plans to protect our clients and quickly dispose of these claims. To that end, we receive docket alerts for any filings against banking institutions.
We are known for our persistence, determination, and skill in the pursuit of remedies for our clients and defense of claims against them. Our attorneys have the experience and respected business acumen necessary to devise and implement practical, creative solutions needed to expeditiously and cost-effectively secure the maximum recoveries for our clients under difficult circumstances. Our attorneys have earned a reputation, among many of the law firms that file the highest volume of consumer litigations against banks and other financial institutions, as tough, talented, and tenacious litigators, who tirelessly protect our clients and aggressively pursue dismissal of claims on the merits, with no payment in settlement.
Deal Alert: Team Effort for $120M Real Estate Development Loan
February 16, 2023
We proudly represented a regional bank as the Agent for a 3-bank group in a $120M loan for the purchase of a 300-acre corporate campus from a major pharmaceutical company. It took almost 2 years to complete and is considered a “once in a generation” opportunity by the buyer who has plans to develop the […]
Turning Conflict into Capital: Litigation as a Real Estate Investment Tool
June 24, 2025
Litigation, far from being a last-resort hammer, can serve as a refined scalpel in the toolkit of modern real estate funds. The most established model remains distressed debt acquisition through mortgage enforcement and foreclosure. Yet forward-thinking managers are increasingly deploying adversarial legal tactics—quiet-title claims, lien enforcement, adverse possession, and strategic jolts of enforcement—to fuel their capital appreciation objectives.
Legal Victory: Dismissal of Bankruptcy Trustee’s Claim Against Client in High-Stakes Contract Dispute
March 1, 2024
Mandelbaum Barrett PC partner Joshua S. Bauchner and Vincent J. Roldan recently achieved a legal triumph, securing the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a Bankruptcy Trustee against their client. The case centered on a 2018 contract related to a sanitation project in New York, from which the Trustee sought to recover funds despite the debtor’s clear breaches of contract. The team’s strategic arguments highlighted flaws in the lawsuit’s foundation, leading to its dismissal and protecting their client from further liabilities linked to the debtor’s failures.
These stories are successful case results from our attorneys. Please note that results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Appellate Division Upholds $18.1 Million LLC Valuation, Dismissing Challenge by Other Members
October 7, 2025
Michael A. Saffer and Brian M. Block, Partners at Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s Litigation Practice Group secured a significant appellate victory preserving an $18.135 million valuation of our client’s ownership interest in a limited liability company—more than double the $9 million valuation proposed by the other members. On September 30, 2025, the Appellate Division granted our […]
Case Alert: Judge Refuses to Award Any Relief in a $4.5 Million Restrictive Covenant Case Against Neurosurgeon
September 8, 2025
On August 29, 2025, and after 16 trial days, a Bergen County judge found in favor of our client, a pediatric neurosurgeon, on all claims brought against him by his former medical practice in a restrictive covenant, breach of contract and fraud lawsuit, finding that the non-compete agreement created an undue hardship on him and […]
Litigation Team Wins $300k Contempt Sanction in Trademark Injunction Case
August 21, 2025
Mandelbaum litigators Joel MacMull and Brian Block scored a significant victory in the Southern District of New York last week in the latest installment of the “Patsy’s” trademark saga. The court agreed with our client’s position, found the opposing party and his trademark counsel in civil contempt, and sanctioned the opposing party $300,000 for an […]
Win in Court: Summary Judgment Victory and Full Fee Award
June 30, 2025
Trial Victory in NJ Commercial Litigation
May 21, 2025
Mandelbaum Barrett, PC attorneys Christopher T. Zona and Joshua S. Bauchner secured a significant trial victory for their client in a battle of developers in New Jersey State court. The dispute arose from enforcement of a more than decade old settlement agreement imposing certain obligations on the defendant which we alleged it failed to perform. After a bench trial […]
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Secures $18.1M Business Valuation for Minority LLC Member
May 12, 2025
Mandelbaum Barrett PC secured a significant win in a high-stakes business valuation trial, achieving a decisive outcome for a client involved in a highly contentious LLC ownership dispute. Tried by partners Michael Saffer and Brian Block before a Chancery Division judge, the case centered on the value of our client’s minority membership interest in an […]
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Secures Victory in Trades Secrets Matter
March 28, 2025
Mandelbaum Barrett attorneys Arla Cahill, Joel MacMull, and Ryan Buehler scored a big victory this week. In a trade secrets matter the three are involved in, the United States District Court, District of New Jersey granted their motion to amend the Complaint to add a proper defendant more than three years after the case was […]
Holding Developers Accountable: Court Finds L&M Liable for Breach of Contract
March 28, 2025
We’re proud to share a significant legal victory in a case involving serious construction and design defects at a Harlem condominium development. L&M Development Partners—a prominent builder of affordable condominiums in minority communities—marketed the property as a luxury conversion project. However, after closing, the residents discovered a host of issues that compromised both the safety […]
Deal Alert: Successful Redevelopment and Sale of Former Chubb Site to the NY Federal Reserve
March 12, 2025
Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s Barry Mandelbaum, Esq. and Michael Saffer, Esq. played a pivotal role in a major real estate matter involving rezoning, litigation, and the eventual sale of the former Chubb site to the NY Federal Reserve. Barry successfully secured real estate tax reductions, gained approval for a parking garage, and had the site designated […]
Defending Against ADA Claims: A Legal Win for Business Owners
February 13, 2025
Mandelbaum Barrett PC successfully defended a business owner against an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York, captioned Lawrence v. Lee, et al. Our attorneys , Joshua S. Bauchner and Boris Peyzner, filed a pre-motion letter seeking leave to file a motion to dismiss, which convinced Plaintiff’s counsel to voluntarily dismiss the action. Legal Challenges in ADA Litigation ADA compliance […]
Another Major Win for Hemp Retailers: Case Dismissed by NYOCM Office of Administrative Hearings
January 27, 2025
The Office of Administrative Hearings recently dismissed a notable case involving allegations of unlicensed cannabis sales, offering valuable insights into the evolving regulatory landscape for licensed hemp retailers. On January 16, 2024, the ruling brought clarity to compliance expectations and underscored the importance of due process and evidentiary burdens in enforcement actions. The case centered […]
Green Market Report: New York Court Rules Against Enforcement Crackdown, This Time in Favor of Hemp Shops
January 15, 2025
Joshua Bauchner, Chair of our Cannabis, Hemp, and Psychedelics Practice Group, was highlighted in Green Market Report for his crucial role in a court decision that strengthens protections for licensed hemp operators in New York. In this case, the court ruled that law enforcement officials could no longer conduct warrantless searches of licensed hemp businesses under the pretense of “administrative inspections.” This decision ensures greater accountability in enforcement actions and upholds the constitutional rights of hemp operators.
LAW.COM: NY Trial Court Halts State Dragnet on Licensed Hemp Operators
January 15, 2025
Joshua Bauchner, Chair of the Cannabis, Hemp, and Psychedelics Practice Group at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, was highlighted in Law.com for his pivotal role in securing a key decision in the article “NY Trial Court Halts State Dragnet on Licensed Hemp Operators.” The case, Super Smoke n Save v. New York State Cannabis Control Board, saw New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Marcelle rule that the state hemp regulators and the New York City Sheriff’s Office violated the Fourth Amendment by conducting unwarranted inspections of licensed hemp businesses. The court’s decision underscores the importance of protecting businesses from unconstitutional enforcement actions in the growing hemp industry.
Joshua S. Bauchner Triumphs in ADA Case, Protecting Property Owners from Nuisance Lawsuits
September 11, 2024
Joshua S. Bauchner, litigation partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, secured a major victory for a Manhattan property owner in a lawsuit alleging ADA violations. The plaintiff claimed that the property was inaccessible to wheelchair users due to the lack of a permanent ramp and insufficient signage. Bauchner, representing the property owner, successfully argued for summary […]
Joel MacMull and Brian Block Dismiss Unauthorized Lawsuit and Disqualify Attorney
August 23, 2024
This case presented issues regarding authority within a Limited Liability Company (LLC) framework and addressed novel legal questions that had not previously been decided in New Jersey. Joel and Brian’s handling of these issues underscores their experience in navigating the complex areas of corporate and litigation law.
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Secures Favorable Outcome for Dental Client Facing Litigation
August 14, 2024
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Partners Casey Gocel and Joshua Bauchner united forces across multiple disciplines to secure a favorable resolution for a client avoiding a contentious litigation. The client was a partner in a dental practice with multiple locations in New Jersey. For various reasons, the partnership was not successful, and the firm’s client needed an […]
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Secures $14 Million Judgment In New York
May 21, 2024
Mandelbaum Barrett PC secured a notable win in New York’s Commercial Division. Representing a commercial lender, the Litigation and Bankruptcy team obtained a $14 million summary judgment against defaulting debtors.
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Secures Reversal of District Court Ruling in GEICO Case
April 22, 2024
On Monday, April 15, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a groundbreaking precedential decision in favor of several of our medical provider clients. The appeal was managed by our healthcare litigation team, comprised of Andrew Gimigliano, Brian Block, and Mohamed Nabulsi. Specifically, the Third Circuit found that New Jersey […]
Mandelbaum Team of Bankruptcy Attorneys and Litigators Victorious in DC
April 19, 2024
The Mandelbaum legal team achieved a significant win, securing the removal of a debtor and appointing an independent trustee in a complex bankruptcy case, protecting a commercial lender from a suspected $13 million fraud. This marks a pivotal advancement in the enforcement of Subchapter V of the Bankruptcy Code.
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Victorious In Motion To Transfer Venue
March 1, 2024
Mandelbaum Barrett PC currently represents the DIP Lender in a bankruptcy case in Washington DC. The DIP Lender called a default after uncovering evidence that insiders of the DC-based debtor fraudulently overstated invoices and diverted contracts, employees, and assets to a related company in Virginia. After Mandelbaum, on behalf of the DIP Lender, sought injunctive […]
Specific Performance Triumph: Lawrence Weiner Secures $1 Million Property Purchase for Client in Pandemic Lease Dispute
December 19, 2023
In a legal case shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent surge in property values, Partner Lawrence Weiner achieved success in a dispute related to a pre-pandemic lease agreement. The lease initially granted our client the option to buy a property for $1 million. However, complications arose when the landlord contested our client’s purchase […]
Mandelbaum Barrett PC named to 2024 Best Law Firms
November 9, 2023
Mandelbaum Barrett PC is thrilled to announce that once again we have been recognized by Best Lawyers on their “2024 Best Law Firms®” list! This recognition highlights the ongoing excellence of our dedicated team of attorneys, underscoring our unwavering commitment to providing top-notch legal services and ensuring client satisfaction. We take pride in the fact that 16 of our practice […]
Michael Bevacqua and Brian Block Receive Favorable Judgement on Behalf of National Bank Client
March 7, 2019
We are pleased to announce that attorneys Michael Bevacqua and Brian Block recently prevailed in the New York Appellate Division, First Department, on behalf of their national bank client. The appeals court affirmed summary judgment in favor of the bank, resulting in the complete dismissal of the plaintiff general contractor's six-figure claim against the bank for payment of two checks related to a construction project in New York City.
Litigation Department Obtains $6.7 Million Award On Behalf Of Client
February 14, 2019
On February 14, 2019, Michael Saffer, Co-Chair of the Firm's Litigation Department and Arla D. Cahill, a Member of that Department, obtained an award of $6.7 million in a complex commercial arbitration proceeding before the American Arbitration Association in New York City in which they represented an anesthesiology group that asserted numerous claims against a surgery center. The Arbitrator, following 10 days of hearings with numerous witnesses and hundreds of trial exhibits created by our team, awarded the entire amount requested in the Demand for Arbitration.
Mandelbaum Barrett PC's Litigation Group Receives Great Result in an Overtime Pay Dispute
September 25, 2018
The Firm's Litigation Group, led by Co-Chair Michael Saffer, recently received a great result on behalf of their client in a widely publicized overtime pay dispute. Click here to read more.
