Stroock & Stroock & Lavan

In New York, the full service law firm of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan includes a practice devoted to handling matters on behalf of public sector unions. The team is experienced in handling all aspects of traditional labor law, such as collective bargaining, arbitrations, and proceedings before the New York State Public Employment Relations Board. A client of the firm’s public sector unions practice considers it “the best for all aspects of public sector labor relations in New York City.” The client further states that the practice offers “extensive experience” and provides “creative and smart solutions to all manner of disputes and negotiation situations.” The client adds simply, “They win. They play a major role in achieving our goals.”

New York-based Alan Klinger serves as the co-chair of the litigation group and provides his expertise in representing public sector unions in negotiations and litigation. A client notes Klinger for taking “the time to get to know our union and our members and always [approaching] matters with that knowledge in mind.” Klinger has served as lead attorney serving as outside counsel to the United Federation of Teachers in the UFT’s groundbreaking nine-year collective bargaining agreement. Kingler’s work included bargaining, mediation, arbitration, and renewed bargaining for the UFT. He has also recently represented the UFT in arbitration proceedings regarding particular aspects of the agreement, as well as the implementation of certain portions of the renowned agreement.

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan is a multidisciplinary firm known for providing legal services to some of the nation’s leading corporations, investment funds, entrepreneurs, and financial institutions. Distinguished New York trial attorney James Bernard obtained a dismissal for client Grant Thornton International in a federal lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages from numerous defendants for alleged securities law violations. He also specializes in corporate, financial services, securities, and class-action litigation. Alan Klinger, a noted labor and employment litigation expert, lead outside counsel to the Municipal Labor Committee and its constituents in ongoing negotiations for a new multiyear healthcare savings agreement. One client commends the labor practice group, testifying, “The Stroock team is the best for all aspects of public sector labor relations in NYC. They have extensive experience, depth of client knowledge, [and are] very responsive. They provide creative and smart solutions to all manner of disputes and negotiation situations. They always see the bigger picture of client needs and inform their work on any specific matter.” The client continues to praise the “depth of knowledge of substance, players and client needs” and adds, “They win. They play a major role in achieving our goals.” National Head of the firm’s Entertainment Litigation Practice group and Managing Partner of the Miami office, James Sammataro secured a directed verdict for client Spanish Broadcasting System in a bench trial before the US District for the Southern District of New York on allegations of copyright infringement. The matter was resolved after plaintiffs failed to prove that they possessed standing and failed to present any credible evidence of infringement. Another

Miami-based partner, Laura Besvinick has recently secured a string of wins for client ZTE USA and its Chinese parent corporation in federal courts across the US stemming from an earlier victory she obtained for ZTE in a weeks-long international arbitration case tried in Florida.