Goldschein Law Practice represents property owners facing substantial penalties, enforcement actions, and other government claims. When administrative remedies are not enough, the practice litigates against the City in court.
The matters below reflect $2,631,271 in savings for clients, as documented by court filings, agency records, settlement agreements, and City payment records.
$1,693,850 SAVED
ECB Enforcement / City Payment Agreement
More than 100 ECB violations had accumulated over several years, involving alleged illegal conversion beyond the certificate of occupancy, failure to comply with Commissioner orders, rodent-conducive conditions, and other violations. Most had resulted in default judgments, including eleven carrying penalties of $70,000 each.
With penalties and interest, the City sought $1,798,350.
We negotiated directly with the City's collection counsel and resolved every eligible violation, together with three open hazardous DOB violations, for $104,500 - less than six cents on the dollar.
$508,600 SAVED
Article 78 Against NYC Parks · Index No. 161260/2024
NYC Parks demanded $316,800 for alleged damage to a single 33-inch silver linden during construction.
We challenged the determination in Supreme Court. The City ultimately withdrew the entire $316,800 demand.
When Parks subsequently issued a second $316,800 demand against another member of the ownership team arising from the same matter, we challenged that demand as well. It was resolved for $125,000.
Total demanded: $633,600.
Total paid: $125,000.
Total saved: $508,600.
$290,000 SAVED
Article 78 Against NYC Parks · Index No. 85033/2024
NYC Parks sought $490,000 in restitution for eight trees allegedly removed from a property.
We challenged the determination in Supreme Court and negotiated a so-ordered settlement for $200,000, payable over more than two years.
Total saved: $290,000.
$101,500 SAVED
Contested OATH Hearings
Five DOB violations involving an alleged illegal short-term-rental conversion, blocked egress, and unlawful construction stood in judgment for $132,500 while the building was under contract for sale.
We took all five summonses to contested OATH hearings, required the City to prove its case, and established the cure. Final amount paid: $31,000.
Total saved: $101,500.
$37,321 SAVED
Article 78 and TRO Against City Marshal Enforcement · Index No. 714944/2023
Thirty-two violations had grown into $74,371.34 in judgments and interest. Then a City marshal froze the client's bank account.
We went to Supreme Court and obtained an order to show cause with a TRO. The account was released, the two largest defaults were vacated - at the new hearings, $4,000 became $800 and $6,250 became $1,250 - and the judgments were settled for $35,000, paid from the frozen funds themselves.
Total saved: $37,321.34.
THE BUILDING STILL STANDS
Emergency Article 78 / Order to Show Cause with TRO · Index No. 803108/2026E
The City declared an Immediate Emergency and sent demolition crews to tear down the client's building. The call came at dawn. By 9:46 that morning we had an index number; minutes later an emergency order to show cause with a TRO was on file. Within the hour the City's attorneys asked us to stand down, and by 11:18 AM the City had signed a stipulation halting the demolition. The building was repaired under DOB supervision - and it stands today.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Client names and property addresses are withheld; court matters are identified by index number in the public records of New York State Supreme Court.