John R. Casolaro, Counsel - Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP Attorney

Practice Areas

Litigation, Condemnation, Real Estate, Construction

Practice Description

Litigation, Condemnation Real Estate practice, including advice on exercise of condemnation power, defense of public authorities which exercise condemnation power, valuation proceedings; construction contract preparation, litigation and arbitration (as arbitrator and counsel); general commercial litigation; mechanic's lien filings, foreclosures and discharges; appellate experience in all New York appellate courts and in New Jersey Supreme Court.

Education

B.C.E., 1974 The Cooper Union (cum laude)
J.D., 1977 Syracuse University College of Law (cum laude; Editor, Syracuse Law Review)

Admissions

1978 New York
1978 U.S. District Courts, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
1995 U.S. Supreme Court
2001 U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

Affiliations

The Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Construction Law Committee (Chair 1994-1997, Member 1989-1993)
New York State Bar Association

Publications

"A Primer on Appraisal to Resolve Valuation Disputes," New York State Bar Association Journal, January & February 1993; "Decision Striking Pay-When-Paid Clauses in Subcontracts Leaves Questions," Metes & Bounds, Spring 1996; "Proposal to Expand Procedures for Prompt Judicial Review of Mechanic’s Liens," The Record of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, October 1993 (principal author)

Illustrative Matters

Client	Descriptions
City of New York and Metropolitan Transportation Authority	Successfully defended challenge to exercise of eminent domain power in connection with 300-acre redevelopment project on the west side of Manhattan. (C/S 12th Avenue v. City).
Empire State Development Corp.	Successfully defended federal court challenge to exercise of condemnation power and to hearing and notice provisions of the State Eminent Domain Procedure Law. (Minnich v. Gargano).
Empire State Development Corp.	Successful defense of taxpayer suit in supreme court and original proceeding in Appellate Division challenging exercise of eminent domain power. (New York Times Project).
NYS Urban Development Corp.	Successfully defended challenge to enabling legislation of this entity through trial level, intermediate and highest appellate court in the state. (East 13th Street v. UDC).
New York State Dormitory Authority	Defense of one the largest fixture claims ever brought in a New York condemnation through trial resulting in very favorable settlement to client.
N.Y. Real Estate Owner	Ongoing construction contract advice; defense of mechanic’s lien foreclosure actions.
U.S. Box Store Company	Arbitration with ground lessor over construction delays and cost overruns; defense of lien foreclosure actions
N.Y. Real Estate Owner	Resolution of over 40 mechanic’s liens filed against commercial property owner arising out of simultaneous defaults of tenants. Acted as agent of owner obtaining dismissal, through negotiation and court proceedings, of all liens on very favorable terms.