Michael Konopka & Associates, P.C.

09/06/2019

An interesting look at Justices Roberts, Gorsuch, Thomas & Kagan

Chief Justice John Roberts is presiding over the most conservative Supreme Court in years. But as the 2018 term showed, the reality is more complicated and the new majority is far weaker than expected.

08/18/2019

I'm happy to announce that I've been selected as a member of "Super Lawyers" for 2019.
"Super Lawyers is a research-driven, peer-influenced rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement." I've been selected in "Super Lawyer's" areas of contracts, personal injury & wrongful death.

10/15/2016

Here's a link to a blog where Peter Mahler, who is regarded as an authority in shareholder disputes, discusses one of my recent cases, Rennert v. SMR, involving an attempt to impose surcharges in corporate dissolutions. A somewhat esoteric area of the law that holds interest only for folks like me! http://www.nybusinessdivorce.com/2016/10/articles/derivative-actions/elusive-surcharge-dissolution-proceedings/

New York's statutes authorizing a judicial dissolution petition by oppressed minority shareholders, and granting respondents a corresponding right to elect to purchase the petitioner's shares, include a provision for a "surcharge" upon controlling shareholders for wrongful dissipation or transfer of...

03/02/2016

Always good to see a win against the power of large corporate interests.

Monster, the energy-drink conglomerate, fought a small business over the word “monster.” These college students fought back

04/16/2014

Here's one of my cases that has been picked up by the Daily News.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/woman-demans-10m-leave-mansion-article-1.1754058

A Long Island woman is demanding a $10 million payoff from her fabulously wealthy brother-in-law before she leaves the mansion he bought for her and her estranged husband, according to a federal lawsuit.

03/17/2014

Her's another example of the law struggling to keep up with changing technology. It's certainly not the end of this song.

The decision to leave unchanged the streaming music service’s royalties to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers may lead to efforts to overhaul government music-licensing regulation.

03/13/2014

Death Toll Rises in Tragic East Harlem Explosion

Like every other New Yorker, I have been following the tragic explosion that demolished two buildings at 116th and Park Ave. According to the mayor, “This is a tragedy of the worst kind because there was no indication in time to save people”. Of course, we don't know what happened yet, and it will likely be months before we have a complete picture. But I wonder if the mayor's initial analysis will hold up. There does appear to have been warnings of this tragedy that were ignored. The media has reported that neighbors did complain of gas to ConEd. However, the length of time prior to the explosion has not been fully developed. There were also problems with cracks in the building that resulted in violations from the Department of Buildings. If ConEd did have notice of the leak but failed to act, it could bear a significant amount of liability for this explosion. Similarly, if the leak was caused due to a faulty condition at the premises, liability could be the responsibility of the landlord, particularly if the condition was known to the landlord. While we don't know the cause today, we will eventually. Time will tell.

Crews worked through the night under bright searchlights, pulling victim after victim from the rubble in hopes of finding someone alive.

03/11/2014

It is too soon to tell the exact cause of this death, yet another tragedy on the Metro North Railroad. But it once again highlights Metro North's lack of a "safety culture".

The man was working on the tracks at East 106th Street and Park Avenue early Monday morning, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

03/09/2014

Interesting article about fame, misfortune and legal fees.

Kevin McCrary grew up the child of celebrities, but in adulthood he developed a hoarding problem so bad it landed him on a reality show and on the verge of homelessness.

03/07/2014

I'd say they should have known better than to use email, but they share they common misconception of all criminals who fail to understand the consequences of their actions. However, there is a cautionary tale here for everyone who uses email and for that matter, Facebook.

It is nearly unheard of for prosecutors to contend that the top brass of a law firm, especially a once-storied firm like Dewey, was effectively running a corrupt organization.

03/06/2014

Almost two years after law firm Dewey & LeBeouf filed for bankruptcy, criminal charges against three top managers of the failed firm are expected to be unsealed as early as March 6.