Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP

09/03/2026

🎙️ New Ground Rules Podcast Episode! 🎙️

David Shamshovich and Brenda Slochowsky sit down with Mark Hertz, founder of Mark Hertz Group, to discuss a career spent helping owners, developers, lenders, and property managers navigate New York City's regulatory landscape. From violations and permits to certificates of occupancy and agency approvals, Mark has spent decades solving the problems that can delay projects, stall transactions, and complicate property ownership.

The conversation explores the role of expediters in the real estate industry, the evolution of compliance and enforcement, and how seemingly minor filing issues can become major obstacles years later. Mark also shares lessons from decades in the field, including how technology has reshaped agency operations and why proactive compliance remains critical for owners and developers.

Listen on:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-new-york-city-bureaucracy-with-mark-hertz/id1849177595?i=1000787481515

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/38EWuf6RzGz8qtg0YuZKxr?si=Rwbne1wwS--V6vglgAraOQ

Web: https://bbgllp.com/podcasts/

08/26/2026

BBG recently secured a preliminary injunction on behalf of a property owner in a New York Supreme Court action involving claims of breach of lease and private nuisance. The court granted significant interim relief addressing ongoing conduct that was affecting building operations, residents, and staff while the litigation proceeds, and included protections designed to prevent further disruptive conduct during the pendency of the action.

The decision provides useful guidance in nuisance-related matters and highlights the remedies available to property owners confronting conduct that impacts building communities and management operations.

Congratulations to partner Adam M. Bernstein and associate Ryan Marrano on this successful result.

08/20/2026

Congratulations to the 6 BBG attorneys recognized in the 2027 New York City Metro edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

The attorneys recognized this year represent the next generation of talent across key areas of the firm's practice, including Litigation, Land Use and Zoning, Co-op and Condo, and Construction Law.

Like the Best Lawyers rankings, Ones to Watch honorees are selected through an entirely peer-review process, highlighting emerging lawyers who have already earned the respect of colleagues within the profession.

For more, visit: https://bbgllp.com/new/the-best-lawyers-in-america-2027-bbg/

08/20/2026

Congratulations to the 6 BBG attorneys recognized in the 2027 New York City Metro edition of Best Lawyers. This year's honorees were recognized across several of the firm's core practice areas, including Litigation, Administrative/Regulatory, Transactional, and Co-op and Condo Law.

Best Lawyers selections are based entirely on peer review, reflecting the assessments of fellow attorneys regarding professional abilities and expertise within the legal profession.

For more, visit: https://bbgllp.com/new/the-best-lawyers-in-america-2027-bbg/

08/18/2026

The New York City Council has approved legislation extending HPD's Certificate of No Harassment (CONH) Pilot Program while making several significant changes to the current framework.

Among other revisions, the legislation expands circumstances in which buildings may be added to the Pilot Program List, establishes new notice and posting requirements, creates a formal process for seeking removal from the list, and clarifies that purely cosmetic work and routine repairs and maintenance are exempt from CONH requirements.

The bill was passed by the City Council on August 13, 2026, and now awaits the Mayor's signature. Most provisions will take effect immediately upon approval, with certain sections becoming effective on April 15, 2027. Property owners, managers, and other industry stakeholders should review the changes now to understand their potential impact on current operations and future projects.

Read our alert by Logan O'Connor (available here: https://bbgllp.com/new/important-updates-to-hpds-conh-pilot-program/) for a summary of the key amendments and what they may mean in practice.

08/17/2026

BBG Partner David Shamshovich was featured in The Real Deal discussing the challenges owners face when pursuing Article XI tax benefits for financially distressed rent-stabilized properties.

The article examines how the program, which can provide long-term property tax relief in exchange for affordability and regulatory commitments, has become increasingly difficult to access as demand far exceeds available administrative capacity. According to David, the limited number of projects HPD can process has created long odds for applicants seeking relief.

"In the fall 2025 round, HPD had more than 75 applications and capacity for only one to three projects," David told The Real Deal.

Drawing on his experience representing owners in Article XI applications, David highlighted the extensive review process and the significant obligations that accompany participation in the program.

"This isn't a conventional tax exemption you apply for and receive," he explained. "It's a 40-year regulatory relationship."

The article explores the growing financial pressures confronting many owners of rent-stabilized buildings, including rising operating expenses, insurance costs, interest rates, and property taxes. For some owners, Article XI remains one of the few available avenues for obtaining meaningful financial relief, though securing approval can require substantial time, expense, and planning.

https://bbgllp.com/new/article-xi-tax-relief/

08/12/2026

Lloyd Reisman was quoted in today's New York Law Journal in an article discussing New York City's new pied-à-terre tax.

While a court order has temporarily paused certain enforcement efforts, Lloyd noted that owners should view the decision as an opportunity to prepare rather than as a reason to delay. As he explained, the tax is expected to move forward in some form, making it important for affected property owners to continue gathering documentation and evaluating potential exemptions.

Read the full article here: https://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/2026/08/11/new-yorkers-notch-win-in-pied-a-terre-tax-fight-but-atty-says-any-court-relief-is-fleeting/print/ (subscription required).

08/12/2026

🎙️ New Ground Rules Podcast Episode!🎙️

David Shamshovich and Camila Almeida sit down with Joe Safdie, founder of JSAF Capital Management, to discuss his journey from rental broker and construction contractor to building a vertically integrated real estate platform spanning property management, development, brokerage, and ownership.

The conversation covers entrepreneurship, rent stabilization, affordable housing, assemblages, development under 421-a and 485-x, and the challenges of operating and investing in New York City's evolving regulatory environment. Joe also shares his perspective on Brooklyn's development landscape, housing production, and the value of long-term ownership.

Listen on:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-development-management-and-ownership-playbook/id1849177595?i=1000782019741

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OYtjCvVajTRqSdC6yYof0

Web: https://bbgllp.com/podcasts/

08/10/2026

BBG is pleased to share a significant Loft Law victory in New York County Supreme Court.

The Court annulled a Loft Board determination denying our client's application for an extension of time to comply with statutory legalization deadlines, finding the agency's decision arbitrary and capricious. The ruling recognized that the Loft Board's more than two-year delay in issuing an IMD registration number made compliance with those deadlines effectively impossible and improperly disregarded substantial legalization efforts undertaken by the owner.

The decision is particularly significant because it restores a path toward compliance after years of delay and positions the owner to pursue rent rights that had been unavailable while the building remained out of compliance. Given the duration of the dispute, the potential financial impact is considerable.

The decision provides our client with the opportunity to continue the legalization process and represents an important ruling concerning agency delay and Loft Law compliance.

Congratulations to BBG partner Michael Bobick on this successful result!

https://bbgllp.com/new/loft-law-extension-win-bbg/

07/29/2026

New from BBG's Litigation Department: the latest Case Reflection from partner Israel A. Katz.

In "The Appeal That Never Had to Happen," Israel breaks down how a focused re-argument motion vacated a six-figure judgment against our client, avoiding an appeal altogether and leading to a quick settlement.

Read the full piece here: https://bbgllp.com/new/vacating-judgment-reargument-israel-katz/

BBG secured the rare vacatur of a six-figure judgment on re-argument by demonstrating that the opposing party suffered no actual damages under New York law.