Practice Description:

Paul Sarkozi is a Partner in our Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department.  His practice focuses on business litigation and arbitration, both in the United States and internationally, with a particular concentration on disputes in New York's Commercial Division.  He has been recognized as a New York SuperLawyer in the area of Business Litigation each year since SuperLawyers has honored New York attorneys with that designation.  Paul has handled a broad range of cases involving banking, media, technology, securities, contracts, partnerships, real estate, antitrust, and employment disputes.  Experienced in white collar criminal defense, Paul has also represented corporations and individuals in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigations and has conducted internal investigations for corporate clients. 

Paul has been selected for inclusion in New York Super Lawyers for 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Paul has been particularly active in the development of the Commercial Division in New York State, the branch of New York's court system that is dedicated to business litigation.  Paul serves as Chair of the New York State Bar's Committee on the Commercial Division, and as Treasurer of the New York State Bar's Commercial & Federal Litigation Section.

Finally, Paul has extensive experience in settling business disputes - both in the context of litigation and through mediation.  Paul has mediated numerous cases - both as a court-appointed mediator for the Commercial Division and advocate in mediation.  He also teaches the "Negotiation Workshop" at Columbia Law School as a Lecturer-in-Law.

Faculty Appointments & Presentations:

• Columbia Law School, Adjunct Faculty/Lecturer-In-Law, Negotiation Workshop, Spring 2009;
• New York State Bar Association: Program Chair, Commercial and Federal Litigation Section Spring Meeting, Cooperstown, N. Y., May 1-3, 2009;
• "A Young Lawyer's Guide to Preparation: Lessons in Advocacy," presented at the NYSBA Young Lawyers Section Annual Meeting, January 2009;
• "Revisiting Arbitration," presented at Pace Law School Continuing Legal Education, November 2008;
• "Piercing the Corporate Veil: History, Theory and Practice in New York," presented for NYSBA Continuing Legal Education, October 2008;
• "State and Federal Electronic Discovery," presented at Pace Law School Continuing Legal Education, June 2008;
• "Conducting Effective Depositions," presented at Spring Meeting of Commercial & Federal Litigation Section of the New York State Bar Association, May 2008;
• "Ethics in Settlement Negotiations and Mediation," moderator and panelist for regular CLE program at the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, 2000-2005.

Publications:

• Co-Author, Chapter 103 "Commercial Real Estate Litigation" 4C Robert L. Haig, Commercial Litigation in New York Courts [3d ed. 2010]
• Co-editor of The Commercial Division Law Report, the reporter of cases decided in the Commercial Division of the New York State Supreme Court.
• "Internal Investigations: An Overview of the Nuts and Bolts and Key Considerations in Conducting Effective Investigations," Internal Investigations: Legal, Ethical & Strategic Issues 2006, Practising Law Institute, August 2006.
• "A Seat at the Table," GC New York, New York Law Journal, May 2006.

Significant Matters:

• Successfully defended seller of commercial real estate against claims of breach of contract, fraudulent inducement and fraudulent concealment.
• Successfully defended media company against claims of breach of contract and unjust enrichment brought by a satellite company arising out of an asset purchase agreement.
• Confirmed arbitration award obtained by corporation against former CEO, who asserted panel had acted in manifest disregard of the law.
• Successfully defended technology company against claims of breach of software development agreement and breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
• Successfully mediated several business disputes that were being litigated in the Commercial Division, NY County.
• Successfully represented media company in declaratory judgment action seeking declaration of rights in connection with the exercise of warrants following an acquisition of the company in which the warrants were held.
• Successfully represented a French satellite company in an ICC arbitration against a US satellite company arising out of a failed joint venture.
• Successfully represented a major defense contractor in a variety of commercial disputes.
• Conducted internal investigation into sales and marketing practices at pharmaceutical company.