Partner James F. Woods Provides Legal Insight in The Washington Post Article on Westchester Condominium Dispute

May 6, 2024 – Media Mention in The Washington Post

James F. Woods, a partner at the law firm of Woods Lonergan PLLC, an experienced litigator, and an expert in cooperative condominium law and board governance, was recently quoted in The Washington Post feature article “In luxe N.Y. condo, residents battle over dumping the Trump name” by reporter Maham Javaid.

The article explores the complex legal and community issues surrounding a luxury condominium in New Rochelle, NY, as residents remain divided over the potential removal of former President Donald Trump’s name from the building.

The article highlights the ongoing referendum within the condominium, which has led to bitter divisions among once-friendly neighbors. The board of Trump Plaza New Rochelle dropped the Trump Organization as the building’s property manager three years ago, and in 2022, asked the 194-unit owners to vote on dropping the Trump name.

While most favored a rebrand, the vote total in the election did not reach the required supermajority, prompting the condominium board to launch a second vote. This decision has residents of the building at odds, as some wish to continue living under the banner of the 45th president, while other unit owners believe that the affiliation with the Trump name has negatively impacted their property and resale values.

In the article, James F. Woods provides valuable legal insights regarding the bylaws, proxies and voting process involved in such disputes. He emphasizes the importance of compliance and fairness, stating:

“The vote appears to be compliant with the bylaws and the law, which is crucial in maintaining the integrity of community decision-making processes. Ensuring that all legal standards are met not only upholds the law but also fosters a sense of trust and community among the residents.”

At Woods Lonergan, our condominium and cooperative practice is committed to providing unit owners and board members with expert legal guidance, helping them navigate complex situations and disputes with professionalism and care.

For more information about Woods Lonergan PLLC, and our legal services please contact us through our online contact form.

Read the full article in The Washington Post here. Access may require a subscription.

About the Author

James F. Woods is Founder and Managing Partner of Woods Lonergan. He has tried more than 60 jury cases to verdict as first-chair trial counsel, beginning his career as a prosecutor, and resolves complex commercial and real estate disputes valued at $1M to $100M+ for business owners, principals, and middle-market enterprises across the New York metro area. He appears regularly in the New York Commercial Division and in the federal district courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and has argued appeals in the Appellate Division and the Second Circuit.

His practice covers complex commercial litigation, real estate and asset litigation, partnership and shareholder disputes, fiduciary breach and corporate fraud, and cooperative and condominium governance. He counsels corporate and cooperative boards throughout New York.

The Legal 500 United States ranks James in its New York Elite rankings for Commercial Disputes, and his peers have recognized him with Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent rating. Woods Lonergan is ranked in Chambers USA: Spotlight New York for Litigation: General Commercial and Real Estate. James serves on the Commercial & Business Litigation Committee and the Business Torts & Unfair Competition Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation, and on the Cooperative & Condominium Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association. His commentary on New York commercial and real estate disputes has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bloomberg Law, Law360, and Forbes.

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