Thomas, Norm

Brett Theis joined the firm's litigation group in 2008 and immediately contributed to its success. Mr. Theis has represented large real estate developers, landlords and tenants, sponsors, hospitals and other institutions in a diverse range of issues in all City, State and Federal Courts, including construction delay and defective design claims, landlord/tenant disputes and claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act to name a few. He is particularly adept at evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of complex cases and choosing a successful strategy to obtain a favorable result for the firm's clients.

Mr. Theis has successfully tried jury and non-jury cases, and although he is a trial lawyer at heart, he has been equally successful winning cases on motions and obtaining varying types of extraordinary injunctive relief. In one such case, Mr. Theis obtained a mandatory preliminary injunction from Supreme Court compelling the owner of an occupied commercial condominium unit to permit the owner of the building to install cables for a cellular communication system on the roof of the building. After a lengthy oral argument, Mr. Theis also successfully obtained summary judgment dismissing multiple counterclaims and an award of attorneys' fees in an action commenced by a sponsor to permanently enjoin a long-term occupant of the building from continuing to operate a wood cabinetry shop after a change in the Zoning Resolution. Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Theis has also had successful results in administrative proceedings. While representing Beekman Hospital, he convinced the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to grant the hospital an "across the board" 42 percent rent increase for its rent regulated staff residences.

Mr. Theis' legal career started in the New York City Law Department, where he was awarded for his outstanding achievement in commercial and real estate litigation as a first year attorney by the Corporation Counsel.