NYC Co-Op Lawer

Name: Co-Op Law
Brand: Schneider Buchel LLP
Rating: 4.4 (36 reviews)

Guiding co-op boards and shareholders through complex legal matters, Schneider Buchel provides trusted co-op law attorneys for NYC governance, disputes, and regulatory compliance. Our thorough experience in New York co-op law ensures efficient, strategic solutions every step of the way.

Trusted Co-Op Legal Solutions for NYC Communities

New York City is home to a dense concentration of cooperative apartments, and Schneider Buchel LLP provides experienced legal counsel to many of them.

Understanding NYC's Co-Op Landscape

We understand the challenges NYC Co-ops face due to their unique structure: shareholders own personal property and lease their homes through a Proprietary Lease or Occupancy Agreement. This hybrid ownership creates a complex legal relationship between the Co-op as landlord and shareholders as tenants. Our team is well-versed in New York’s legal and regulatory requirements and regularly helps Boards resolve disputes, amend governing documents, and navigate compliance matters.

Customized Legal Support

With decades of experience serving as Co-op law attorneys in NYC, we offer tailored legal strategies and responsive support. Whether you're navigating governance challenges or daily operational concerns, we bring clarity and confidence to the process.

Co-Op Law Issues We Help With

Landlord/Tenant Matters

At Schneider Buchel, we frequently assist Co-Op Boards with complex landlord/tenant disputes. Because co-op shareholders are also tenants under a proprietary lease, these disputes require a legal team that understands both real estate and tenancy law. Our firm maintains a strong presence in the courts that handle these matters, and we are known for delivering consistent results.

We have successfully removed many problematic shareholder-tenants and achieved favorable rulings for co-ops in need of relief. Our attorneys have secured some of the largest attorney fee awards in New York, helping boards recoup costs incurred during litigation. When it comes to objectionable conduct cases, we’ve won multiple summary judgments and appeals.

Cost-Effective Legal Outcomes for Co-Ops

In many instances, we help boards recover full arrears by working with the shareholder’s mortgage lender. This strategic approach often results in no out-of-pocket expenses for the co-op. Our experience with proprietary leases enables us to efficiently resolve delinquency matters and obtain interest payments where permitted. Schneider Buchel’s decades of success in landlord/tenant co-op disputes make us a trusted partner for effective and affordable resolution.

Repair, Improvements, and Other Contracts

Our firm routinely drafts contracts for Co-op repairs and capital projects, including façade work, roof replacements, Local Law 11 compliance, and infrastructure upgrades. It is essential for boards to include legal counsel in the drafting process to ensure strong protections.

Many boards unknowingly sign vendor proposals that contain vague or unfavorable terms. These omissions—such as insufficient indemnification, unclear insurance requirements, or improper termination clauses—can leave the Co-op vulnerable to costly disputes or liability.

We’ve worked with many boards to correct contract issues after the fact, but those challenges are best avoided from the outset. Involving our firm early ensures that contracts include the necessary provisions to protect the building and its shareholders. Preventive legal review saves time, money, and frustration down the line.

Financing (and Refinancing)

Schneider Buchel provides legal support to Co-op Boards as they seek financing for capital improvements or refinance existing building-wide mortgages. These underlying loans often require refinancing due to balloon payment terms that mature early in the loan lifecycle.

We provide experienced legal review of loan documents, help negotiate favorable terms, and guide Boards through lender due diligence and closing processes. Our goal is to protect your building’s financial integrity and ensure compliance with cooperative law.

We take a team-based approach, working closely with your bankers, brokers, accountants, and property managers. This allows us to align legal services with your broader financial strategy and minimize disruptions.

Whether your Co-op needs to refinance an upcoming balloon payment or fund major infrastructure upgrades, our firm offers experienced legal guidance at every step. Schneider Buchel’s coordinated approach ensures your Co-op is fully prepared and well-represented.

Creating and Implementing Policies

Establishing effective policies is critical to successful Co-op governance. At Schneider Buchel, our attorneys regularly advise Boards on how to properly draft and implement changes to House Rules, By-Laws, and the Proprietary Lease.

Clarifying Legal Requirements

We have guided numerous Co-ops through efforts to amend governing documents—such as implementing smoke-free initiatives inside buildings and units. These changes require more than a Board resolution; they often demand formal amendments, which must be handled precisely to avoid legal disputes. Boards sometimes make the mistake of enacting policies as “House Rules” when, legally, they require By-Law or lease amendments. Our firm ensures policies are both enforceable and compliant. Consulting with experienced counsel before adoption protects your Co-op from unnecessary risk.

Reasonable Accommodations

Navigating accommodation requests in Co-ops requires a nuanced understanding of overlapping legal obligations and resident rights. Our firm brings that depth of knowledge to every request.

Expertise in Compliance and Defense

Co-op Boards regularly face complex requests for reasonable accommodations and modifications, such as those involving emotional support animals, handicap parking spaces, and access ramps. These requests, if mishandled, can lead to costly legal exposure. At Schneider Buchel, we offer strategic, proactive legal guidance to reduce that risk. Our team is especially experienced in cases involving alleged housing discrimination, and we are often engaged in defending co-ops through their insurance carriers. Marc H. Schneider, Esq., frequently lectures on housing discrimination and accommodation law, making our firm a trusted authority in this area. Our attorneys stay updated on Federal, State, and local requirements so our clients can respond to accommodation requests with confidence and legal support from the very beginning.

Practical Advice and Preventive Strategy

We routinely assist Co-ops in updating or redrafting governing documents to comply with evolving laws on accommodations. With legally sound documents and early legal intervention, many disputes can be avoided altogether. But when litigation is unavoidable, we are fully prepared to defend our clients in court.

The best results occur when Boards contact legal counsel early in the process. Involving our team from the outset ensures the request is handled correctly, supports long-term compliance, and helps avoid unnecessary exposure.

Protect Your Community Practical, Reliable Legal Advice.

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

Regulatory Agencies and Code Mandates

Keeping up with regulatory agencies and constantly evolving code mandates is essential to minimizing legal risk. Our legal team helps Boards understand and prepare for new requirements before they take effect. We offer practical advice that allows clients to take proactive steps, reducing the chance of receiving violations or facing enforcement actions. Should litigation arise, we can defend the association or initiate action if a regulatory ruling is unjust or harmful. Our goal is always to guide your community through complex compliance issues with clarity and confidence.

Construction Defect Litigation

Transitioning from a sponsor-controlled Board to a homeowner-controlled Board often reveals significant construction flaws. These defects, ranging from foundational cracks to poorly installed systems, can impact property values and resident safety. Our litigation team is well-versed in representing community associations as they face these issues.

Strategic Legal Action and Guidance

We advise Boards on hiring qualified experts—like structural engineers—to assess damage and document claims. Our attorneys ensure strict compliance with offering plan warranties and manage the preparation and submission of Warranty Claim Forms. Where informal resolution fails, we initiate legal proceedings and manage each phase of litigation, including appeals.

Contractor Breach Representation

Beyond sponsor-related defects, we assist when a contractor fails to meet obligations or performs substandard work. Whether the issue is incomplete renovations or poorly executed repairs, we work closely with Boards to evaluate remedies and mitigate harm.

While we attempt negotiated settlements where appropriate, our firm is fully equipped to pursue litigation aggressively. Our goal is to help community associations recoup the funds needed for proper repairs—without unnecessary delay.

What Makes Co-op Law Different

Ownership Through Stock and Lease

In a Co-op, purchasing a home means acquiring shares in the building’s owning corporation and receiving a lease to occupy a particular unit. This makes the shareholder both an owner (of the stock) and a tenant (under the Proprietary Lease). Unlike Condos or HOAs, Co-ops typically require Board consent for transfers and subleases, reinforcing the Board’s role in protecting the community’s character and stability.

Multiple Legal Authorities at Play

Most Co-ops are subject to the New York Business Corporation Law. Others, particularly in New York City, fall under the Private Housing Finance Law—adding another layer of complexity. PHFL-governed communities, including those under Article II or XI, must comply with housing affordability guidelines and agency oversight.

Schneider Buchel has the experience needed to help Co-ops of all types—including senior communities—navigate their regulatory environment. We regularly assist with Board governance, legal compliance, and policy interpretation.

Our team understands that Co-op law isn’t just about documents—it’s about relationships, community management, and long-term planning. With our help, your Co-op can operate with confidence, clarity, and legal precision.

Board Meetings

Legal support during Board and Community meetings can be critical to the integrity of a Co-op’s governance. Schneider Buchel attorneys regularly attend these meetings and work closely with Boards to guide the process, mitigate legal risks, and ensure proper procedure.

Our team helps Boards navigate complex governance matters, such as running lawful elections and passing amendments to governing documents that require shareholder consent. Whether we are present to supervise a vote or help prepare strategic communications in advance of a meeting, our attorneys play a vital role in reinforcing sound governance.

Insurance Carriers

Insurance carriers consistently rely on Schneider Buchel to defend Community Associations in legal disputes.

Our firm has extensive experience with the types of claims that arise in Co-op communities and has successfully litigated and settled many such matters. We are proud to be a trusted partner to both insurance providers and the communities they insure.

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Speak With a NYC Co-Op Law Attorney Today

Schneider Buchel is proud to serve New York City’s unique Co-op communities with highly focused, experience-based legal support. From board governance to litigation, we have handled virtually every type of issue faced by Co-ops. Our clients frequently return for continued legal guidance, long after their initial matter is resolved. If your Co-op in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, or the Bronx is facing a legal challenge, our team can help. Contact Schneider Buchel to schedule a consultation with one of the most trusted Co-op lawyers in New York. Call or fill out our online form today.