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Steven Warren Smollens

Steven Warren Smollens

New York County Lawyers' Association
  • Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant
  • New York
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A
Education
Brooklyn Law School
J.D.
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City University of New York - City College
B.A. | Political Science
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Professional Experience
Member Civil Court Practice Section
New York County Lawyers' Association
Current
Member Real Property Law Section; Incoming Co-Chairperson Landlord and Tenant Proceedings Committee effective February 2024
NYSBA
Current
Co-Chairperson Civil Court Practice Section 2023-2026
New York County Lawyers' Association
- Current
Co-Chairperson, Civil Court Practice Section, New York County Lawyers Association
Correspondent
New York County Landlord and Tenant Bar Association (NYCLTBA)
- Current
Private Practice of Law
Law Office of Steven W. Smollens
- Current
Partner
Law Office of Smollens Guralnick & Frazer
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Partner
Law Office Steven W Smollens
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Manager Single Practice Law Office
Law Office Steven W Smollens
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Staff Attorney Legal Aid Society New York City Harlem Neighborhood Office
The Legal Aid Society
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Attorney Law Office of Steven W. Smollens 2000 - Present Partner Smollens Guralnick & Frazer 1990 - 2000 Partner Smollens & Guralnick 1984 - 1990 Attorney Steven W. Smollens 1982 - 1984
United States Army (Reserve)
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USAR (Reserve) Honorable Discharge 1972
Publications
Articles & Publications
Advanced Issues in Cooperative and Condominium Law,New York County Lawyers' Association CLE Nonpayment Proceedings, Warranty of Habitability, Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise
Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series, NYCLA Nonpayment Proceedings, Bed Bugs, Warranty of Habitability
New York County Lawyers' Association, CLE, Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise Nonpayment Proceedings, Warranty of Habitability
New York County Lawyers' Association, CLE, Landlord and Tenant Practice: The Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Non-Payment Proceedings and the Warranty of Habitability
Speaking Engagements
NEW YORK COUNTY LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, VARIOUS CLE PROGRAM, NEW YORK
NYCLA
2007 CLE entitled Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Bed Bugs, Warranty of Habitability 2005 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Warranty of Habitability and Non Payment Proceedings 2004 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise 2004 Advanced Issues in Coop & Condo Law 2003 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Techniques in Defending and Prosecuting a Non Payment Proceeding 2002 World Trade Center Owner and Tenant Forum in Commercial Tenant Issues
Awards
TOP CONTRIBUTERS AWARD
AVVO
CLIENT'S CHOICE AWARD
AVVO
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
New York County Lawyers' Association
Recognition of outstanding contribution to the Association's Continuing Legal education program
CERTIFICATE
NYSBA
Co-Chairperson CLE Program Residential Landlord and Tenant Practice Update
CERTIFICATE
NYSBA
Speaker Residential Landlord and Tenant Practice Update
AVVO RATING TOP LAWYER
AVVO
REVIEWS
AVVO
Professional Associations
New York State Bar  # 1564673
Member
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
New York
New York State Office of Court Administration
ID Number: 1564673
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U.S. Supreme Court
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US District Court, Eastern District
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US District Court, Southern District
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Fees
  • Free Consultation
Practice Areas
Real Estate Law
Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Land Use & Zoning, Residential Real Estate
Landlord Tenant
Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
Q. Can I dispose of my ex-roommate's left-behind belongings after 3 months?
A: Dear Monroe Tenant

New York State is about the only State without a clear abandoned personal property law. Rather, New York prefers local courts and judges decide if liability exists for throwing away left behind personal property.

I suggest that you connect with a local lawyer. I suspect that three months is too little time to deem the property is abandoned.

Likely, you will need to go beyond text messaging. Certified mail with duplicate copies sent to you with certificates of mailing and to the former roommate help build a document record of the reasonableness of your efforts to get the property redeemed.
Q. What can I do about noise from my landlord with no formal lease agreement in NY?
A: Dear Deer Park Resident:

I doubt you have any leverage over your landlord's use and enjoyment of her home, but you do have over your own. You could find out if your landlord required a certificate of occupancy for your dwelling. If she does need a C of O and she does not have a C of O, your occupancy is illegal. The Town may issue a summons or a violation and impose a fine.

If there is a valid C of O, then you could tell your landlord to quit her noisy ways and stop paying rent. Of course, she could sue for an eviction--but at least until that happens, you are letting your rent money speak up for you.

And of course, you may play your strongest hand and move out. You are not tied to a lease, and so you have no contractual obligation to live below a stomping home owner. Just provide her with the proper amount of notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, ... Read More
Q. How to legally evict a tenant refusing to leave and ensure property sale in NY?
A: Dear Agent:

The Tenant hopes that you realize that this is not going to proceed without hiring a lawyer at least to start the Holdover Summary Proceeding in NYC Housing Court. The tenant knows that the Housing Court litigation could last up to one year. The tenant hopes that when the owner hires a lawyer the lawyer will convince the homeowner to give money to the tenant to leave rather than risk loss of time and possible sale of the house.
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Websites & Blogs
Website
SmollensLawOffice
Contact & Map
SMOLLENS LAW OFFICE
New York
25 Waterside Plaza
Suite EE
New York, NY 10010
US
Toll-Free: (844) 310-9915
Telephone: (212) 619-7787
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
STEVEN W. SMOLLENS
25 Waterside Plaza
STE EE
New York, NY 10010
US
Toll-Free: (844) 310-9915
Telephone: (212) 619-7787
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Law Office Steven W Smollens
New York
25 WATERSIDE PLAZA
STE EE
New York, NY 10007
US
Toll-Free: (844) 310-9915
Telephone: (212) 619-7787
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours