Our Attorneys & Team

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Karen Schwartz-Sidrane earned a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism from Cornell University, and her Juris Doctorate from the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University.

Ms. Schwartz-Sidrane has represented landlords in countless proceedings and hearing before the New York State DHCR. [She has broad experience with rent overcharge cases, fair market rent appeals, major capital improvement challenges, luxury deregulation and service issues]. She has successfully challenged many adverse rulings, obtained favorable ruling in State Supreme Court and has argued numerous appeals in the Appellate Division.

Ms. Schwartz-Sidrane is a frequent contributor to the New York Apartment Law Insider. She has lectured for the Rent Stabilization Association (RSA) and spoken frequently on topics critical to the industry.

She can be reached at [email protected].

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Steve D. Sidrane earned a Bachelor’s of Science in environmental planning from Rutgers University, cum laude, a masters in City & Regional Planning from Cornell University and a Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School.

Prior to entering the legal field, Mr. Sidrane was the CEO of one of the largest printing businesses on Long Island and served as a Special Consultant to Rand McNally.

He began his legal career as a Court Attorney for the Appellate Division, Second Department. He then worked as a Law Secretary for the Honorable F. Dana Winslow, Supreme Court, Nassau County. He entered private practice for an additional three years prior to forming his current partnership with Karen Schwartz-Sidrane.

Mr. Sidrane is involved in all aspects of Commercial and Civil litigation, DHCR matters, CONH Applications and Substantial Rehabilitation issues and applications.

He can be reached at [email protected].

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Arun Perinbasekar received his Bachelor’s Degree in History and Pre-medicine from New York University and his Juris Doctorate at Brooklyn Law School. He is an experienced litigator in Housing

Court and Supreme Court. He has handled the wide variety of DHCR cases that challenge owners in the daily pursuit of managing buildings in NYC. Arun leads the appeals group within the firm.

He is a frequently author of articles aimed for the landlord community and a frequent contributor to New York Apartment Insider. He has given numerous lectures for the Real Estate Industry.

He can be reached at [email protected].

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Michael Littman attended Binghamton University, majoring in Philosophy, Politics & Law. He received his Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law and is admitted in New York and Florida.

Michael is the lead partner in our transactional department, handling closings for single family residences to multi-family buildings. He is also an experienced litigator in Housing Court and Supreme court. He has handled the wide variety of DHCR cases that challenge owners in the daily pursuit of managing buildings in NYC.

Michael has given numerous lectures for the Real Estate Industry, including the Rent Stabilization Association (RSA).

He can be reached at [email protected].

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Jason Engelstein is a Senior Associate Attorney. He attended University of California, Berkeley, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Philosophy and Political Science. He then attended Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

He has practiced law in Housing Court, Criminal Court, as well as administrative law before DHCR and human rights agencies on the State and City levels. He has a diverse background in Supreme and Civil Court litigation, including personal injury, insurance, matrimonial, bankruptcy and family law. Mr. Engelstein is admitted in New York, New Jersey, Southern and Eastern Districts of NY, the district courts of NJ and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

He can be reached at [email protected].

Dwij Patel is an Associate Attorney. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington. He then earned his J.D. from the Syracuse University College of Law, where he served as a student law clerk in the Bankruptcy Law Clinic, as Executive Editor of the Journal of Science and Technology, and as President of the South Asian Law Student Association.

Dwij is a housing court litigator and represents owners in New York State court as well as before various agencies including the DHCR.

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Michelle D’Elia attended Queens College and received her Paralegal Certificate from Adelphi University.

Michelle has commenced countless proceedings for Housing Court, including non-payments, holdovers including failure to renew cases and nuisance proceedings. She guides clients if they receive Orders to Show Cause. She spent years in Housing Court assisting in the settlement of cases and is responsible for all of the follow-up including warrants and scheduling evictions.

She is unique in that her experience is equally broad regarding proceedings before the DHCR, including service complaints and registration issues.

Michelle is the guiding voice for DHCR Registrations, lease questions, security deposits issues and all of the other questions that come up in running a building.

She has lectured on Real Estate industry topics.

Michelle can be reached at [email protected].

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Simone Gordon attended Nassau Community College where she received her Certificate in Paralegal Studies. She is currently attending SUNY Old Westbury to complete her studies in politics, economics and law.

Simone has commenced many proceedings for Housing Court: non-payments and holdovers, including failure to renew cases and nuisance proceedings. She is responsible for guiding owners in setting up the proper information to start court cases. She is vigilant in keeping clients informed of updates in the litigation.

As our firm rolls out our Landlord/Tenant case access for clients, Simone is there to assist clients in using this vital information resource.

Simone also files Rent Restoration Application with DHCR to restore the rent when a tenant or tenants have obtained a rent reduction.

Simone can be reached at [email protected].