What We Do -- Our Cases and Clients
Freeman Lewis LLP is a boutique law firm specializing in representing clients in the resolution of complex commercial and business disputes. Our clients are typically privately held companies or high net worth individuals involved in litigation, arbitration, mediation, or negotiation with large corporate or governmental institutions. Often we work with clients (both foreign and domestic) with cross-border legal problems.
Our firm's core values include creativity, quality, practicality, fairness and integrity. Clients typically call on us when experiencing a business or personal crisis, and we pride ourselves on bringing not only objectivity, but also sensitivity to the work we do.
We take a collaborative approach. We work closely with our clients to learn about them and their professional or business objectives, and to educate them about their legal options and how different strategies will advance or distract from their objectives. Our clients hire the firm, not simply an individual lawyer, and benefit from multiple perspectives and ideas. We believe that lawyering is most effective when done in a positive, nurturing environment and bring this attitude to our work. We do not leave our sense of humor or humility at the door of our offices.
Our partners previously gained experience as attorneys for top tier law firms, as judicial law clerks, and as federal prosecutors. Other lawyers who know our work and reputation often refer matters to us. Where needed, we welcome collaboration with other lawyers or firms with special expertise and complementary skills.
TYPES OF CASES HANDLED
- EMPLOYMENT LAW
- Title IX (equal accommodation of interests)
Title VII (gender discrimination) in college athletic programs
- Family Medical Leave Act
- New York and federal wage, overtime and benefit claims
- Employment and severance agreements
- A. Restrictive covenants
- B. Employee benefits
- C. Stock option agreements
- D. Deferred compensation
- E. ERISA
- INVESTORS VS. BROKER DEALER/INVESTMENT ADVISORS
- Suitability
- Unauthorized trading
- Violation of margin rules
- Churning
- CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
- Director and officer breach of fiduciary duty, self dealing and usurpation of corporate opportunity
- Shareholders challenge to corporate reorganization of closely held corporation
- Excessive compensation for officer of N.Y. Not-For-Profit Corporation
- Breach of M&A agreements, including representations and warranties and employee buyout agreements
- Purchase Price Adjustment in Stock Purchase Agreement
- SECURITIES FRAUD
- Investor/shareholder claims against promoters of start-up companies
- REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION
- Commissions and finders' fees
- Right of First Refusal in real estate sales agreement
- Promissory Note and Guarantee
- Liability of neighboring landowner for excavation damage
- FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS
- Exclusive Distribution Agreements
- Wrongful termination
- Lender liability claims
- PARTNERSHIP LAW
- Breach of partnership agreement
- Conversion of partnership property
- Violation by general partner of partnership law and fiduciary duties
- INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION
- Jurisdiction of U.S. Courts over foreign based companies
- Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act defenses by foreign government owned corporations
- International arbitrations before ICC, AAA, and Finra
- Litigation in U.S. Courts involving foreign nationals and corporations
- Letters rogatory proceedings to obtain evidence in foreign country for use in U.S. proceedings
- ART LAW AND SECURED TRANSACTIONS
- Contracts to purchase art and art collections
- Art appraiser commissions
- Conversion claims and statute of limitations defenses
- UCC Article 9 security interest claims
- INSURANCE CLAIMS
- Long-term disability
- D&O insurance
- Corporate "errors and omissions"
- Business risk and loss
- Third party loss
- Employment practices liability
- FEDERAL CRIMINAL AND REGULATORY LAW
- Obtaining public transportation operating certificates from the Department of Transportation
- DOJ "American With Disabilities Act" investigations
- Grand jury investigations (white collar)
- Criminal trials (white collar)
SAMPLE CLIENTS BY TYPE AND INDUSTRY
- Soft drink bottlers
- Executives in financial services, entertainment, sports, office services, advertising, computer, telecommunications, and fashion industries
- Restaurants and restaurant management
- Black car limousine drivers
- Investors in travel industry and computer software start-ups
- Shareholders in closed-end mutual funds
- Mortgage originators
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Reinsurance companies
- Importers of furniture and kitchen cutlery products
- Performance artists
- Sellers of office equipment
- Investor/customers of broker/dealers
- Hospital equipment dealers
- Art dealers
- Garment industry investors
- Jewelry manufacturers and dealers
- Employment agencies
- Retail drug stores
- Restaurant equipment wholesalers
- Bus transportation companies
- Owners of furniture delivery and storage companies
- Investors in the garment industry
- Officers and directors of banks
- Banks and other financial services companies
- Foreign textile manufacturers
- International power plant operators
- Public relations companies
- Dance companies
- Venture capitalists
- Owners of commercial real estate
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Listen to Partner Robert Lewis being interviewed on America's Best Lawyers
On Power To The People & Why The ‘Davids’ Are Beating The ‘Goliaths’ |
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