David F. Segal is a Member of the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group and is resident in the Firm’s New York office. Before joining the Firm, Mr. Segal was a member of Silverberg Stonehill Goldsmith & Haber, P.C. Mr. Segal was previously a founding partner and, for twenty-five years, a member of Jaffe, Segal, Ross & Light LLP, a boutique real estate and commercial litigation firm.
Mr. Segal has more than 30 years’ experience in representing institutions, public and privately held companies and individuals in a variety of complex commercial, real estate and real estate-related litigation. He has represented and continues to advise owners, landlords and tenants in all aspects of their business and litigations including issues that arise with respect to demolition, construction, modification and management of buildings, tenant affairs, claims for brokerage commissions and mechanic’s liens. He has also represented owners of residential townhouses in Manhattan in connection with a variety of multifaceted disputes amongst neighbors. As such, he has a wealth of experience working with representatives of the New York City Department of Buildings, architects, contractors, expediters and Building Code consultants.
Though primarily engaged as a Member of the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group, the versatility of his practice has enabled Mr. Segal to successfully and efficiently negotiate hundreds of lease transactions relating to office and retail premises. In that regard, he has substantial experience litigating and trying many commercial lease provisions including those relating to acceleration of rent, billing of electricity, renewal options and tenants holding over after lease expiration. He is knowledgeable on how the courts will interpret specific clauses that are in dispute. Given the breadth of this background and experience, and his contacts within the real estate industry, Mr. Segal has a unique perspective from which to advise his clients as to the “market” regarding many lease clauses and, when appropriate, to avoid wasting time on provisions that either will not be changed or will not have a material impact on the tenancy.
Mr. Segal’s experience includes the representation of a developer in Manhattan seeking demolition of its property, and the creation of a high rise hotel and garage. Numerous retail tenants that were affected by this development joined together to interfere with the development through the litigation process by holding over in their stores, and seeking substantial payments for their cooperation. This case resulted in a favorable interpretation of clauses in an agreement Mr. Segal prepared that were strictly enforced against the tenants at the successful conclusion of the case in the Appellate Division, First Department.