Co-op and condominium boards benefit from having legal representation on their side to ensure all issues are handled thoroughly and cost-effectively. No matter how carefully your bylaws and house rules are written, disputes are bound to happen among co-op and condominium boards and unit owners. Even when board members resolve disputes fairly and wisely, litigation can occur. Co-op and condo boards have unique legal needs involving managing relationships and disputes with unit owners, shareholders, and the board.
Discuss Your Case With a Skilled Attorney
The experienced attorneys at Woods Lonergan work with co-op and condominium boards, helping them manage legal disputes and conflicts efficiently and effectively. We provide legal representation and general counsel services to co-op and condo boards. If you are looking for a law firm to represent you in an issue you’re facing or acting as general counsel, contact Woods Lonergan to schedule a case evaluation.
The Benefits of Your Board Working with an Experienced Attorney
Condominiums and co-ops are entrusted with the day-to-day operations of their buildings, which is a significant responsibility. Managing a co-op or condominium requires considerable time and energy. Understandably, it’s difficult for board members to stay informed about all relevant changes to local, state, and federal laws that may affect them. Working with an attorney can help you manage your condo or co-op smoothly while complying with all relevant laws.
What Woods Lonergan Can Do For Your Board
The experienced attorneys at Woods Lonergan can swiftly and expertly capably respond to day-to-day legal matters. We regularly represent clients in contract disputes with outside parties and conflicts disputes between the board and unit owners. When you work with the attorneys at Woods Lonergan, we provide you with timely and effective legal opinions, advice, and representation in all types of legal issues including:
- Assessments and flip tax issues
- Interpretation and enforcement of condominium or co-op rules
- Assistance with meetings, minutes, and elections
- Conflict of interest or breach of fiduciary duty claims
- Mechanic’s liens
- Alterations, repairs, and maintenance
- Neighbor, noise, smoking, and disturbance issues
- Right of first refusal
- Construction contracts and litigation
- Offering plan and sponsor control
- Alteration agreements
- Mismanagement claims
- Declarations and amendments
- Managing agent agreements and disputes
General Counsel Services for New York Condo and Co-Op Boards
At Woods Lonergan, we advise board members, managing agents, and officers on regulatory issues and legal matters related to business operations. Condominiums and co-ops must comply with the bylaws’ terms, ensuring they maintain and upkeep the common areas. The board is also responsible for regularly paying unit owners monthly fees.
When owners don’t pay their charges, the board can pursue a lien and potentially foreclose on the unit. Our general counsel attorneys can provide tailored advice to help your board fulfill all its obligations efficiently while protecting you from liability. When you work with the attorneys at Woods Lonergan, we can provide you with legal counsel related to all of the day-to-day obligations you face, such as:
- Financing
- Tax issues
- Internal corporate documents
- Regulatory concerns
- Third-party contracts
- Interpreting governing documents
- Collection of unpaid common charges and assessments
Drafting Internal Board & Corporate Documents
We work with condominium and co-op boards to prepare internal documents covering the day-to-day operations of the complex. Board members benefit from working with an experienced attorney who can prepare all of the legal paperwork necessary when operating a co-op or condominium, including:
- Proprietary leases
- Bylaws and articles of incorporation
- Alteration agreements
- Subscription agreements
- Transfer tax provisions
- Sublet policies and agreements
Negotiating Purchase and Sale and Finance Agreements
Our co-op and condominium attorneys will assist you in negotiating and drafting effective purchase and sale agreements for new condos or co-op owners. We also assist board members in negotiating the terms of building-wide loans and commitment letters. We work to ensure that the interests of board members are protected.
If your condo or co-op benefits from refinancing to raise capital to address building needs, the attorneys at Woods Lonergan can provide comprehensive assistance throughout the refinancing process. We will help you understand the essential legal implications of the process and address the requirements the lender intends to impose on you through the loan. In many cases, our attorneys can negotiate better terms for our clients.
Negotiating and Preparing Vendor Contracts
Co-op and condominium boards are responsible for hiring service providers, such as alarm and safety companies, laundry companies, architects, and maintenance companies. The legal team at Woods Lonergan has experience negotiating and preparing agreements with service providers, managing companies, and other third parties.
Working with an attorney to prepare legally valid contracts can help protect you and your condominium or co-op from litigation and liability. Our attorneys have helped countless condos and co-ops in construction defect litigation and litigation involving election issues, personal injury lawsuits, breach of contract claims, and more. We will work with you to ensure that your contracts do not contain any red flags, are enforceable, and represent your best interests.
Structured Negotiation In Co-op and Condominium Disputes
When disputes arise between condo and co-op unit owners and the board, both parties can benefit from a structured negotiation process. Although we seek out-of-court solutions, we are always prepared to represent clients effectively in litigation when necessary. In some cases, legal clarification combined with negotiation can prevent litigation.
In other cases,a litigation may the conflict may need to be resolved by the courts. The attorneys at Woods Lonergan have extensive experience representing clients in litigation. Our trial-ready attorneys are prepared to provide excellent legal representation for co-op and condominium boards in New York City at every stage.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Attorney
The experienced attorneys at Woods Lonergan have a long history of handling condominiums and cooperatives throughout New York. We provide condo and co-op boards with transactional services, general legal counsel, and litigation. Are you seeking a trusted, qualified legal team to help you address an issue involving your cooperation or condominium board? If so, reach out to Woods Lonergan to learn more about how we can help your condominium or co-op board.