Steven R. Popofsky
Partner

Steven Popofsky has been with Gersten Savage since 1986, joining the firm after four years in the litigation department of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.  He has handled a wide variety of complex business and corporate litigation, as well as an assortment of matters for individuals and smaller entities, and has supervised the firm's litigation associates for most of that period.

Steve focuses his practice on exercising sound and creative judgment on behalf of the firm's clients, trying to resolve matters cost-effectively to the extent possible and litigating them vigorously and aggressively as appropriate.

He handles matters for defendants and plaintiffs in federal district court and bankruptcy court, the New York state courts, and before AAA and FINRA arbitration tribunals, and has successfully argued appeals before the Second Circuit and First and Second Departments of the Appellate Division.  His clients have included substantial corporations, partnerships, family businesses and individuals, and he seeks to tailor his representation in each matter to the stakes involved and the resources available.  Steve was named as one of New York's "Super Lawyers" 2010.

Representative Matters:

Successfully litigated in federal court and arbitration to obtain a multimillion-dollar price reduction from Saab International due to fraud and material adverse changes in connection with the purchase of a jet-engine repair company.

Won a million-dollar summary judgment award against a national parking-garage operator on behalf of a former executive.

Played a key role in winning a million-dollar arbitration award for a hedge fund against its prime broker.

Defended an arbitration against Citigroup on behalf of a small company for which he not only avoided all liability but also obtained a monetary award on its counterclaim.

Obtained dismissal on behalf of Swiss investment advisor sued in the U.S. for securities fraud and related claims in connection with allegedly inadequate due diligence on Madoff investments.

Successfully defended an oil company against creditors seeking to defeat its reorganization plan due to alleged breaches of contract.

Successfully represented an individual art collector against a major international auction house in connection with dispute over the manner of exhibition of the art.

Successfully represented a family with extensive real estate holdings in connection with various litigations in federal and state court and estate proceedings, including breach of fiduciary duty claims against its general partner.

Successfully represented a club operator in invalidating a general release on the grounds of duress.

Handled various adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court including successfully representing an individual supermarket operator alleged to have participated in auction bid-rigging.

Successfully represented modeling agencies in various litigations and was later hired by former adversaries.

Ongoing business advice, counseling, and litigation regarding employee relations and disputes, and litigation on behalf of several small companies in various fields including contracting, recruitment, cosmetics, information technology, and non-profit and for-profit preschools.

Successfully represented various individuals in connection with diverse matters including resolving wrongful-death action; retaining proceeds claimed by client's ex-wife from sale of Martin Johnson Heade painting; defense of holdover proceeding and return of deposit for purchase of coop apartment; minimizing liability on personal guarantee in connection with textile imports from Far East; and obtaining substantially outdated expenses incurred by fashion photographer.

Successfully represented a Danish bank in collecting on undelivered oil warrants purchased from Chase Bank and UBS.

Won substantial arbitration awards and settlements in favor of employees and former principals seeking damages for claims including discrimination, relief from non-compete commitments, and avoidance of forgivable loan from UBS.

Successfully defended broker-dealers and their principals and employees in multiple arbitration contexts.

Represented hedge fund in arbitration defending against failure to redeem investments over prolonged period and successfully obtained right to make most of the redemptions in kind rather than in cash.

Obtained summary judgment dismissing all claims in action brought against entity which borrowed money to construct mobile power units which did not get built.

Obtained declaratory relief against an insurer wrongfully refusing to defend its insured.

Successfully represented a restauranteur/tenant in protracted efforts to avoid eviction proceedings and handled other litigations and negotiations on behalf of other restaurants and their principals.

Successfully represented various car service companies in the UK in litigation and negotiations with US partner firms.

Successfully negotiated resolutions of financial disputes within matrimonial proceedings.