| Adam Leitman Bailey | |
|---|---|
Adam Leitman Bailey |
|
| Born | April 27, 1970 [1] Bayside, Queens[1] |
| Residence | New York City, New York |
| Alma mater | Rutgers University Syracuse University College of Law (J.D.) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Website | |
| www.alblawfirm.com | |
Adam Leitman Bailey (born April 27, 1970) is an American lawyer who practices residential and commercial real estate law in New York and New Jersey as senior partner and founder of Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. in New York City. The firm has engaged in several notable cases before various courts and trial venues.[1][2]
In 2011, Bailey wrote the New York Times best seller Finding The Uncommon Deal: A Top New York Lawyer Explains How to Buy a Home for the Lowest Possible Price.[3][4]
Contents |
Park51 is a planned Muslim community center, which would include a mosque, located near the site of the World Trade Center.[5] In July 2011, Bailey prevailed in New York Supreme Court, allowing Park51 to build its proposed community center, over the objections of a Former firefighter, Timothy Brown, who had sought to overturn a decision by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission denying landmark status to the 150–year-old building that Park 51's developers wanted to demolish to make room for the community center.[6] In the decision issued in July 2011, Justice Paul G. Feinman in Manhattan wrote that the objects were from “an individual with a strong interest in preservation of the building,” but did not possess any special legal standing on its fate.[7] The decision removed one of the last legal challenges to the project.
Bailey represented the owner of a restaurant who received a multi-million dollar settlement as a result of a devastating crane collapse. The crane, owned by New York Crane & Equipment collapsed at 303 East 51st Street in Manhattan on March 15, 2008. Seven people were killed and 24 others were injured.[8] It was a luffing-jib tower crane manufactured by Favco that was 200 feet (61 m) tall at the time of the collapse. The accident occurred when workers were attaching a new steel collar to anchor it to the building at the 18th floor, as part of an operation to extend the crane upwards. Investigators say the prime suspect is a $50 piece of nylon that broke while lifting a six ton piece of steel.[9]
The owner of Crave Ceviche Bar sued the owner of his building on 2nd Avenue because of their plans to demolish the building due to damage from the crane. The building owner claimed that the damage was irreparable and must be demolished in order to rebuild.[10] Bailey, who was hired by the owner to represent him, eventually reached a settlement of over $1 million, allowing the owner to continue business by giving him the chance to open in a different location.[11] The plans for demolition continued once the settlement was reached and the tenant vacated the premesis.
This law had gone unnoticed for a number of years until a lawsuit was filed against the developers of the Brompton building at 86th and 3rd Avenue in New York City in 2010. A Greek shipping executive and his wife were attempting to take back their deposit and refuse to close on a $3.5 million condominium due to the downturn of the real estate market.[12] Bailey and his team rediscovered this law and argued that the building at 86th and 3rd Avenue did not meet the requirements of the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act of 1968.[12] A federal judge eventually demanded the deposit be returned to the couple in full, plus interest.[13] According to American Bar Association Journal, Bailey was quoted by the Times saying that the decision "allows every buyer in a newly constructed condominium which has sold more than 100 units within the last few years to obtain a refund of their downpayment".[14]
Bailey also dealt with a case involving the application of this law to Sky View Parc, a $1 billion condominium complex in Queens, where he won the largest residential condominium settlement in New York history.[15] His use of that law assisted purchasers who bought units before the great crash to obtain their down payments back. The purchasers claimed that while having over 100 units, the complex did not comply with ILSA protocol because it failed to deliver disclosure reports to all the future tenants and to register with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.[16] The condominium must refund 75% of the $5 million in down payments to the buyers who ended up backing out of the $50 million project.[17]
Members of the community hired the firm to promote the Coalition to Save Harlem.[18] The focal point of these battles became the largest building in square feet in the Harlem Community.[19] Bailey proposed legislation requiring the owner to give the building back to the community. After many hearings and support from local politicians including Charlie Rangel, the legislation became a way for Harlem residents to be sure their culture is being preserved. He prevailed in a two hour oral argument getting an injunction to prevent the demolition of the building, which continued until a final settlement was reached a year later. The developer settled for over $1 million and allowed the tenants to continue their residencies in addition to the large payment. The building still stands as of July 2011.[20]
Building Foundations, a charity he established, is dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children.[21] They have presented scholarships to economically disadvantaged students of all ages, from high school to postgraduate to attend Syracuse University College of Law).[22][23] In addition, Building Foundations is also actively involved in promoting research in finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease and neurological disorders in children.[24]
Bailey was born in Bayside, Queens.[1] His grandfather was a taxi driver in New York City.[25] he moved to California at the age of five and later moved back to the East Coast, to New Milford, New Jersey, at the age of 14.[1] He graduated from New Milford High School (New Jersey).[26] He then attended Rutgers University and Syracuse University College of Law,[27] graduating with honors from both universities.