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Trust Our Construction Litigation Lawyer Team to Get Results

For over 20 years, our construction litigation team has represented the needs of hundreds of New York communities. We bring unmatched expertise to every matter and have built our reputation on delivering results for homeowner associations, condominium boards, and co-op communities across diverse construction disputes. Our approach remains steadfast and unwavering: We get results. We don't compromise.

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Common Issues in Construction Litigation for Associations

Community associations regularly encounter construction-related legal challenges that threaten property values, increase assessment burdens, and disrupt community life. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing community association boards in disputes involving developers, contractors, and construction professionals. We understand how construction problems can affect entire communities and work diligently to protect the collective interests of association members throughout the litigation process.

Construction Defects

Defective construction in community developments can significantly reduce property values and place costly, long-term maintenance burdens on homeowners. At Schneider Buchel, we collaborate with experienced industry professionals to identify construction deficiencies and pursue full-scale legal remedies that protect the community's long-term interests.

Our construction litigation attorneys conduct thorough investigations into defect claims involving common areas, structural systems, and individual units, including:

  • Structural problems affecting building foundations and load-bearing elements.
  • Water intrusion issues—causing damage to common areas and individual units.
  • HVAC system failures—impacting multiple units and common spaces.
  • Roofing defects—creating leaks and energy efficiency problems.
  • Landscaping and drainage issues affecting community grounds.

We also represent associations in sponsor construction defect disputes, holding developers accountable for failures in original construction and ensuring communities receive the remedies they deserve.

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Protect Your Community Practical, Reliable Legal Advice.

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Client Testimonials What Our Clients Have To Say

Highly skilled at navigating the complex web of laws that apply only to associations.

John, Board Member

Your diligence and commitment to our community has been the catalyst to solving our delinquencies.

Ralph, Board President

Your professionalism and strong determination was the leading factor in winning all of our litigations.

Steve, Board President

We've had the pleasure of working with this exceptional law firm over 25 years and couldn't be more impressed.

Paul, Property Manager

Extremely competent and an exceptional ability to communicate effectively with Board Members.

Alexis, Board Member

Deep expertise in HOA law and strong commitment to protecting the best interests of our community.

Billy, HOA Association

Results-driven and the best choice we ever made. Highly recommended to anyone seeking the best legal counsel.

Steven, Co-Op Association

I am a property manager and have used Schneider Buchel for many years. They are extremely experienced in coop/condo law. Pete Weintraub recently advised a Coop Board on adopting a fine policy. He helped the Board develop the policy and gave them expert guidance on the process to get it approved by the shareholders. I highly recommend both the firm and Pete.

Richard Rush

Top Notch law firm. We entrusted Schneider Buchel LLP over the years as they provide us with their expertise on Co-Op Law. Justin Buchel has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to us, provides top tier representation and always delivers positive outcomes. Thank you.

Ingrid Baerwald

I've had the pleasure of working with Victoria Waller for a luxury condominium in the heart of Gramercy and can say, hands down, she is one of the best! Her construction background is just a bonus to her work ethic, professionalism, and thoroughness! When Victoria is involved, clients are confident that their concerns will be heard and addressed timely.

Maribel Vega

The firm exemplifies a high level of professionalism and great attention to detail. Throughout my years of experience collaborating with various firms in the industry, I have found this particular firm to be the most responsive and professional. Notably, Victoria Waller, who is extremely competent and has an exceptional ability to communicate effectively with Board Members, providing thorough explanations.

Alexis Fritz

We have had nothing but excellent interactions with Victoria Waller and the team at Schneider Buchel. Her advice is on point, clear and practical. She's readily available and always responds to messages and emails. She's a great addition to the team.

Tom Flood

Schneider Buchel LLP have represented our cooperative for over 20 years. Their staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and on target no matter what issue we present. They are result driven and the best choice we ever made. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking the very best legal counsel.

Steven Liss

I am an attorney in Florida and I have known Marc personally and professionally for almost 10 years. I would not hesitate in sending him any work relating to HOA or COA law; his expertise is amazing, and his ethics are second to none.

Craig Goldenfarb

Great law firm! Everyone is extremely helpful when dealing with all of our co-op issues. Big shout out to Anda! She is on top of everything all the time and constantly updates us! Highly recommend!

Lori Max

Love working with Victoria. She is very attentive and responses very quickly to e mails and calls. Working with Victoria makes the transactions go smooth and easy.:)

Elham Danialian

Marc has unmatched focus on everything an association needs to be successful and well run. His firm truly is one of the top in the country for this very specific area of law.

John Lin McCraw

I would like to share my experiences with this firm. All of my dealings with the entire team have been exceptional. All matters are dealt with efficiently, effectively and professionally. The level of expertise is beyond compare.

Joei Losito

Breach of Contract

Contract disputes between associations and construction professionals require careful analysis of community development agreements, construction contracts, and warranty obligations. Our construction litigation lawyers carefully analyze contractual terms to protect association interests when developers or contractors fail to meet their obligations to the community. Our firm represents the following:

  • Failure to complete common area improvements according to specifications.
  • Deviation from approved community development plans.
  • Use of substandard materials in community construction projects.
  • Non-compliance with homeowners' association architectural guidelines.
  • Warranty violations affecting community infrastructure.
apartment buildings

Scope of Work Disputes

Disagreements over the scope of construction projects frequently arise in community association projects, particularly during major repairs or capital improvements. Our construction litigation team helps associations clarify contractual obligations and ensures communities receive the work they contracted for while protecting against unauthorized changes that increase assessment obligations.

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Payment Disputes

Payment conflicts involving community association construction projects can create financial strain and disrupt essential maintenance schedules.

These disputes often require swift legal intervention to prevent further harm to the community’s operations and long-term planning:

  • Mechanic's lien filings against association common property.
  • Payment bond claims involving association construction projects.
  • Disputes over special assessment collections for construction work.
  • Retention payment disagreements affecting project completion.

Project Delays

Project delays in community association construction work can create financial pressure on association reserves, interfere with residents' routines, and result in unplanned special assessments. Our construction litigation attorneys examine delay allegations, establish contractor liability, and seek appropriate damages while working to reduce interference with the association's daily management activities.

Insurance Claims

Insurance coverage disputes often complicate association construction litigation, particularly when defects affect multiple units or common areas within the association. Our construction litigation lawyers work closely with association insurance carriers and adjusters to maximize coverage for construction-related claims, while protecting the community's financial interests throughout the claims process.

Preeminent Specialists Meet Our Attorney Teams

At Schneider Buchel, every attorney is focused on a specific area of Community Association Law. When legal issues arise, you don’t get a generalist. Here, you get a coordinated team of legal specialists, each bringing deep experience in their field. Whether it’s day-to-day governance, contract negotiation, or complex litigation, you have the right attorney with the right experience working to protect your community’s interest and deliver the legal outcome you need.

Transactional
Landlord, Tenant & Foreclosures
Real Estate
Litigation
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Transactional Department:

Handles all day-to-day legal needs, including governance and contract matters.

Landlord, Tenant & Foreclosures Department:

Manages complex disputes and represents boards and associations in court.

Real Estate Department:

Specialists in all real estate transactions—drafting and negotiating leases, closings, etc.

Litigation Department:

Manages complex disputes and represents boards and associations in court.

Justin S. Buchel

Partner

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George J. Mullane

Foreclosure and Landlord/Tenant Department Chair

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Cassidy R. Kalmenson

Landlord Tenant Litigation Attorney

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Ivana Garbowski

Foreclosure Attorney

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Jason Goodman

Transactional Department Chair

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Jason Mohabir

Landlord Tenant Litigation Attorney

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Mitchell J. Flachner

Litigation Department Chair

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Amy Zamir

Attorney

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Pete Weintraub

Attorney

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Sloan Zarkin

Attorney

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Suzanne Player

Foreclosure Attorney

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Vanessa Wilcox

Attorney

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Victoria M. Waller

Real Estate Department Chair

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Jennifer Anderson

Paralegal

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Idalia Innocent

Paralegal

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Margarita Morales

Paralegal

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Meet Our Founder & CEO Marc H. Schneider, Esq

Having served as a Board President of a community association himself, Marc knows firsthand the unique needs of associations and what it takes to protect and elevate a community for all. He built his entire New York law practice around meeting and solving these needs. Today Schneider Buchel is very much a reflection of Marc’s personal affection for and sense of commitment to the people who manage community associations.

Group icon media Former Board President of a NY Community Assn.
Work icon media Three Decades of Community Law Experience
Co-Chair icon media Co-Chair NY State Bar Condo & Co-Op Committee
Building icon media Council of New York Co-Ops & Condos Member

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Construction disputes involving community associations require skilled legal counsel that comprehends both the engineering elements of building projects and the distinctive legal obstacles confronting associations. Reach out to Schneider Buchel today to explore your association's construction dispute requirements and discover how our committed construction lawyers can safeguard your community's rights.

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