NEW YORK --(BUSINESS WIRE)

Woods Lonergan PLLC, a premier New York City–based litigation boutique, has been honored with a 2026 Chambers and Partners Real Estate | Spotlight New York Award for its exceptional work in complex real estate litigation. This distinction highlights New York boutique and mid-size firms that demonstrate an elite track record and deep experience in the region’s most competitive markets. The recognition underscores Woods Lonergan’s strength in New York real estate litigation for middle market owners, boards, and investors in disputes typically valued between $1 million and $100 million in dispute value.

In its 2026 guide, Chambers & Partners notes:

“Woods Lonergan is known for its sophisticated real estate litigation practice.”

A Strategic Catalyst for Middle Market Real Estate Assets

The Chambers’ recognition reinforces Woods Lonergan’s position as a go-to authority for seven- and eight-figure disputes that serve as the strategic catalyst for high-value real estate assets and developments. The award highlights the firm’s ability to deliver elite advocacy in an environment defined by high-stakes valuations, aggressive institutional adversaries, and the unique complexities of New York’s real estate statutes and New York City real estate development and ownership structures.

Woods Lonergan is frequently retained when critical conflicts determine the control, viability, and equity of significant middle market real estate portfolios and development projects across the New York Metro area- particularly when the dispute is time-sensitive, outcome-determinative, or heading toward trial — including founder-led, family-owned, and privately held ownership groups; co-op and condominium boards; developers; and commercial investors facing well-resourced counterparties.

“Being recognized by Chambers is a testament to the rigor and trial-ready approach our team brings to every engagement,” said James F. Woods, Managing Partner and Founder. “When high-stakes matters have stalled at larger institutional firms, we are often retained to reset the strategy and provide a decisive, trial-ready path to resolution. Our clients—including developers, commercial investors, and those managing privately-held and family real estate portfolios—rely on us for the agility and results-aligned representation required to protect their most significant interests in New York real estate disputes — including cases involving $1 million to $100 million in controversy. We are a trial boutique built to be an alternative to larger, institutional law firms.”

Recent Representative Real Estate Matters

Woods Lonergan’s track record is defined by high-stakes recoveries and defensive victories in complex New York litigation:

  • $300M Midtown Hotel Development:Defended developer’s operational rights and equity, protecting control and future upside in a major Manhattan asset.
  • $30M Real Estate Fraud Recovery: Secured recovery in a complex fiduciary breach and legal malpractice scheme involving Midtown assets.
  • $6.8M Jury Verdict – NYC Infrastructure:Established municipal negligence in catastrophic property damage and business interruption litigation.
  • $2.35M Verdict & Appeal:Full recovery for a landlord via a precision-led trial and appellate affirmation of a commercial lease guarantee.
  • $2M Crane Collapse Settlement:Represented Midtown property owners in multi-party litigation involving high-profile municipal liability.
  • Multi-Million Dollar Settlement – Catastrophic Property Damage by Municipality:Proved utility company negligence resulted in sewage contamination and catastrophic property damage, obtaining a multi-million-dollar settlement for the property owner.

Practice Focus & Core Sectors

Woods Lonergan specializes in high-stakes litigation for developers, commercial investors, and privately-held and family real estate portfolios, with a focus on:

  • Closely-Held & Family Real Estate Portfolio Business Divorce & Partnership Disputes (including LLC member, partnership, and joint venture disputes involving real estate holdings)
  • Catastrophic Construction & Crane Third-Party Damage Recovery
  • Commercial Real Estate Litigation for Developers & Investors
  • Complex Commercial Landlord & Tenant Litigation (including lease enforcement, guaranty claims, defaults, and possession disputes)
  • Condominium & Cooperative Owner & Shareholder Representation
  • Construction Litigation (including delay, defect, payment, and scope-change disputes)
  • Cooperative & Condominium Board Governance (including disputes involving governance, fiduciary duties, elections, and owner/shareholder rights)
  • Municipal Negligence: Sewer, Flooding & City Work Litigation resulting in Catastrophic Property Damage
  • Real Estate Brokerage Litigation

The firm's deep expertise in Co-op & Condo Governance and shareholder disputes is reflected in its role as counsel for boards throughout the New York Metro area, with the firm's insights regularly cited in The New York Times "Ask Real Estate" column. Further distinguishing its practice, Woods Lonergan’s lawyers serve on NYC Real Estate Bar committees and the team includes a certified MAI real estate appraiser, providing a sophisticated valuation perspective rare in trial boutiques and supporting the firm’s ability to litigate valuation-driven real estate disputes with unusual precision.

Strategic Economic Alignment

For select New York real estate disputes valued between $1 million and $100 million, Woods Lonergan offers results-aligned hybrid contingency fee structures designed for middle market owners, developers, investors, boards, and privately held or family-owned real estate enterprises. In appropriate matters, the firm may combine a reduced hourly rate with a success-based fee component tied to defined business outcomes—such as recovery, value protection, or control of a real estate asset, portfolio, or development project. This flexible approach can provide a sophisticated alternative to large, institutional law firm pricing while maintaining trial-ready advocacy and strategic rigor for high-stakes New York real estate litigation.

About Woods Lonergan PLLC

Woods Lonergan PLLC is a New York-based litigation boutique focused on high-stakes commercial and real estate disputes. The firm provides trial-ready counsel for privately-held and founder-led businesses, often representing them in complex conflicts against larger institutional counterparties. In select New York real estate disputes with $1 million to $100 million in dispute value, Woods Lonergan may offer hybrid contingency or alternative fee arrangements aligned with client outcomes—providing a trial-ready alternative to large, institutional law firms.

Woods Lonergan PLLC
One Grand Central Place
60 East 42nd Street, Suite 1410
New York, NY 10165
Phone: (212) 684-2500
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.woodslaw.com
Social: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

Media Contact: Nancy Byrne
Email: [email protected]

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