At Stagg, Terenzi, Confusione & Wabnik, we represent multi-national corporations, Fortune 500 companies, small companies, municipalities and individuals in many diverse practice areas, including commercial and general liability litigation, labor and employment arbitrations and litigation, securities law, bankruptcy, foreclosure and creditors rights, corporate transactions, municipal law, real estate, zoning and land use, and environmental law.
At Stagg, Terenzi, Confusione & Wabnik, we always put our clients needs first. We are especially proud of our collaboration and partnership with in-house counsel and recognize that there is considerable merit to the age-old adage that two heads are better than one.
Some of the firm's practice areas are described below.
Litigation
Stagg, Terenzi, Confusione & Wabnik's nationally recognized litigation practice remains the most prominent among the firm's practice areas. Our clients depend on us to leave no stone unturned and to explore all viable options to resolve disputes, including early resolution through arbitration and mediation. We are committed to resolving disputes in a cost-effective manner, but know that preparation and skill lead to the successful trial results we have obtained. Although we are aggressive litigators, our defense strategy is guided by the practical realities of cost versus benefit on a case-by-case basis. We have developed a reputation as a firm that efficiently and effectively protects its clients.
General Liability Practice
Some of the largest retail companies in the world turn to Stagg, Terenzi, Confusione & Wabnik to defend them in cases involving on-site incidents, false arrest and defamation claims. We represent many self-insured companies and work with most of the nation's third party administrators. The firm also represents many prominent insurance companies, collaborating with in-house counsel, paralegals and adjusters. Our attorneys have lectured widely before representative organizations such as the International Council of Shopping Centers and regularly travel throughout the country to give seminars on gathering and preservation of evidence and false arrest to our clients and third-party administrators. We recognize that our general liability clients seek cost-effective representation. In this regard, our attorneys were one of the first metropolitan firms to utilize the federal removal procedure to both minimize client exposure and expedite case resolution. We are flattered that many other attorneys now utilize this procedure on behalf of their clients and view this as a testament to our leadership and creativity in this practice area.
Commercial Litigation
Our commercial practice includes the representation of companies and banks. We have extensive Uniform Commercial Code experience, having litigated UCC issues before New York's highest court. We also represent our clients in credit card litigations, and have broad experience with the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (Truth in Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Electronic Fund Transfer Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act), Reg. Z, and various state consumer credit statutes. In addition, we regularly defend our commercial clients in all manner of contract claims, ranging from simple breach of contract actions to complex factoring disputes.
Appellate Advocacy
Stagg, Terenzi, Confusione & Wabnik regularly represents clients before federal and state appellate courts. Our attorneys have appeared before New York's highest court, The Court of Appeals, to argue on behalf of our national banking clients. We have a high success rate before appellate tribunals because we recognize that appellate practice is a distinct practice.
Labor & Employment
The firm has broad experience with labor and employment matters, having represented clients in court and before administrative agencies, such as the EEOC and New York State Division of Human Rights. We have also provided diversity training and sexual harassment seminars for our clients and have prepared employee handbooks, policies for sexual harassment and drug and alcohol testing, and other types of policies for our clients.
Securities
The firm represents hedge funds and broker dealers in litigation in the New York metropolitan area. We are familiar with customer disputes, broker defalcations, churning, suitability and margin disputes. We arbitrate before FNRA and other tribunals. In addition, from time to time we are called on by our broker-dealer clients to represent them in connection with contracts and employment agreements with their employees.
Bankruptcy
The Firm’s Bankruptcy/ Creditor Rights group has a depth of knowledge and experience in all aspects of bankruptcy and related areas including reorganization, restructure, debt collection, Section 363 sales, avoidance actions, stay relief and all related debtor/creditor litigation. Our attorneys have vast range of experience, from appearing in some of the most sophisticated reorganization proceedings, to the representation of secured creditors in consumer cases. We regularly appear throughout New York State, New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as appearing in various out of state proceedings. We have represented lenders, landlords and other creditors in the enforcement of their rights and remedies in secured and unsecured transactions in bankruptcy proceedings. We also represent purchasers of assets in bankruptcy proceedings, and also have extensive experience representing unsecured creditors’ committees, trustees and debtors. We take a proactive approach in resolving debt-related transactions, whether through workouts or litigation. Our attorneys draw on their skills in other practice areas, such as commercial litigation, securities and corporate transactions in order to provide an in depth approach to developing the right strategy for a given set of facts while employing both in court litigation and out of court work out strategies. We prosecute and defend bankruptcy litigation in an aggressive manner while never losing site of the cost /benefit effect of the litigation on our clients.
Foreclosure
Stagg, Terenzi, Confusione & Wabnik represents lenders in mortgage foreclosure proceedings on both residential and commercial properties in the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The firm also represents tax lien holders in enforcement and foreclosure of tax liens. The staff, managed by Lisa M. Confusione, has extensive foreclosure experience and recognizes the significance of prosecuting a foreclosure action diligently and expeditiously from commencement of the proceeding to conveyance of title. Although we are aggressive litigators, the firm is committed to achieving loss mitigation alternatives whenever possible. We are familiar with the old maxim, “time is money” and we understand that accomplishing a loss mitigation solution may be the most cost effective process for all parties involved.
Environmental Law
Stagg, Terenzi, Confusione & Wabnik has secured significant environmental victories for our clients. We have represented property owners and civic associations in environmental impact litigation involving the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and New York State’s Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The firm has also represented clients in matters involving spills under New York’s Navigational Law and in various matters involving permitting, compliance, hazardous substances, and due diligence for real estate, corporate and commercial transactions.
Corporate & Real Estate
The firm acts as counsel to business clients and real estate developers in matters involving financing transactions, real estate and general commercial matters. In this area, we have structured a variety of loans and other financing transactions, including real estate and construction loans, asset-based loans, asset securitizations, sale and leaseback transactions. Our firm provides guidance in choosing a business form and has organized corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and other legal entities throughout the U.S., as well as negotiated and prepared joint venture agreements and buy/sell agreements.