Trump Administration Executive Order (EO) Tracker
Claude Szyfer
Partner Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
Claude Szyfer concentrates his work in antitrust, real estate litigation and counseling, commodities, and general litigation. His diverse practice involves representing trading firms, utilities, major real estate developers, and trade associations. In particular, Claude has been counsel to the Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., for the last 20 years.
In addition, Claude has participated in both jury and non-jury trials in both Federal and State Court, and has an active antitrust counseling practice. His diverse practice allows him to be equally comfortable in front of a jury, or advocating on behalf of his clients before federal and state regulators. Fluent in Spanish, Claude's practice often involves the representation of international financial institutions both in the United States and abroad, particularly with respect to international insolvency proceedings.
During the last decade, Claude has handled some of the most important litigations impacting the real estate industry in both New York State and New York City. For example, in 2021, on behalf of REBNY, NYSAR[PJ1] , and their over 70,000 real estate brokers members, Claude obtained a permanent injunction barring the New York Department of State (DOS) from enforcing a “guidance memo” which set forth DOS’s ban on commissions for brokers. As a reporter for The Real Deal said in an article, “You don’t need me to tell you this is a big deal.” Claude is currently representing REBNY, NYSAR, and major real estate brokerage firms in a constitutional challenge to the City Council’s recent enactment of the FARE Act, a law which seeks to prevent real estate brokers from receiving a commission from a tenant when the broker is retained by the landlord or when the broker simply publishes a real estate listing with the permission or authorization of the landlord.
Representative experience
Represented the Board of Manager of a condominium in their litigation against the Sponsors and Architects that executed the renovation and construction of that building.*
Represented a real estate investment trust in connection with their major developments throughout the New York City area.*
Counselled numerous developers in connection with major projects throughout New York City opposite the NYC Economic Development Corporation.*
Successfully achieved a full contract price settlement for a group of real estate developers embroiled in a major redevelopment.*
Currently representing REBNY in antitrust class action litigations challenging practices involving the sharing of listings and rules concerning co-brokerage.
Successfully settled real estate antitrust class action claims against major regional real estate brokerage firm accused of conspiring to artificially inflate commission levels.
On behalf of over 70,000 brokers, obtained permanent injunction barring the DOS from enforcing a “guidance memo” which set forth DOS’s ban on commissions for brokers.*
Representing major multiple listing services across the country in connection with antitrust claims involving mandatory submission of listings.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of major real estate brokerage firm wrongfully accused of refusing to share a valid and lawfully earned commission.
Won sweeping jury verdict for a top real estate brokerage after a departing team violated the CFAA by downloading the client’s entire listings database and other competitively sensitive materials.*
On behalf of over 70,000 brokers, obtained permanent injunction barring the New York Department of State (DOS) from enforcing a “guidance memo” which set forth DOS’s ban on commissions for brokers.*
Successfully settled real estate antitrust class action claims against major regional real estate brokerage firm accused of conspiring to artificially inflate commission levels.
Representing major multiple listing services across the country in connection with antitrust claims involving mandatory submission of listings.
Currently litigating challenge to the FARE Act – bill passed by the City Council preventing brokers who publish a listing on behalf of a landlord from collecting a commission from the tenant.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of major real estate brokerage firm wrongfully accused of refusing to share a valid and lawfully earned commission.
Won sweeping jury verdict for a top real estate brokerage after a departing team violated the CFAA by downloading the client’s entire listings database and other competitively sensitive materials.*
*Matter handled prior to joining Hogan Lovells.
Credentials
Education
- J.D., New York University School of Law, Notes and Articles Editor, Journal of International Law and Politics, 1995
- B.A., Wesleyan University, with honors, 1990
Bar admissions and qualifications
- New York
Court admissions
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Memberships
- Board of Directors and Co-Founder, Real Estate Data Protection Legal Association (REDPLAN)
- Board of Directors, Jamie Oliver Food Foundation
- Section Counsel, Counsel of Multiple Listing Services
- Member, Community Relations Committee Board, MetroWest
Publications
Insights and Analysis
25 November 2024
News
07 November 2024