David F. Segal is a Member of the Sills Cummis & Gross Litigation Department. Mr. Segal has more than 30 years’ experience in representing institutions, public and privately held companies and individuals in a wide variety of complex commercial, real estate and real estate-related litigation. He has and continues to advise owners, landlords and tenants in all aspects of their business and litigations including issues that arise with respect to demolition, construction, modification and management of buildings, tenant affairs, claims for brokerage commissions and mechanic’s liens. He has successfully litigated against The City of New York for non-payment of fees due for housing homeless individuals and families, and arbitrations at JAMS. He has also represented owners of residential townhouses in Manhattan in connection with a variety of multifaceted disputes amongst neighbors. As such, he has a wealth of experience working with representatives of the New York City Department of Buildings, architects, contractors, expediters and Building Code consultants.
Though primarily engaged as a Member of the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group, the versatility of his practice has enabled Mr. Segal to successfully and efficiently negotiate hundreds of lease transactions relating to office and retail premises. In that regard, he has substantial experience litigating and trying many commercial lease provisions including those relating to acceleration of rent, billing of electricity, renewal options and tenants holding over after lease expiration. He is knowledgeable on how the courts will interpret specific clauses that are in dispute. Given the breadth of this background and experience, and his contacts within the real estate industry, Mr. Segal has a unique perspective from which to advise his clients as to the “market” regarding many lease clauses and, when appropriate, to aggressively pursue important clauses and, at the same time, avoid wasting time on provisions that either will not be changed or will not have a material impact on the tenancy.
In 2022, Mr. Segal was designated by the Jewish Lawyers Guild to be its representative on the 9th Municipal Judicial District Independent Judicial Screening Panel, reviewing candidates for a seat on the Civil Court, New York County.
Before joining the Firm, Mr. Segal was a member of Silverberg Stonehill Goldsmith & Haber, P.C. Mr. Segal was previously a founding partner and, for twenty-five years, a member of Jaffe, Segal, Ross & Light LLP, a boutique real estate and commercial litigation firm.