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Steven Warren Smollens

Steven Warren Smollens

New York County Lawyers' Association
  • Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant
  • New York
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Practice Areas
Real Estate Law
Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Land Use & Zoning, Residential Real Estate
Landlord Tenant
Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights
Fees
  • Free Consultation
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
New York
New York State Office of Court Administration
ID Number: 1564673
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U.S. Supreme Court
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US District Court, Eastern District
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US District Court, Southern District
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Member Civil Court Practice Section
New York County Lawyers' Association
Current
Member Real Property Law Section; Incoming Co-Chairperson Landlord and Tenant Proceedings Committee effective February 2024
NYSBA
Current
Co-Chairperson Civil Court Practice Section 2023-2026
New York County Lawyers' Association
- Current
Co-Chairperson, Civil Court Practice Section, New York County Lawyers Association
Correspondent
New York County Landlord and Tenant Bar Association (NYCLTBA)
- Current
Private Practice of Law
Law Office of Steven W. Smollens
- Current
Partner
Law Office of Smollens Guralnick & Frazer
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Partner
Law Office Steven W Smollens
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Manager Single Practice Law Office
Law Office Steven W Smollens
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Staff Attorney Legal Aid Society New York City Harlem Neighborhood Office
The Legal Aid Society
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Attorney Law Office of Steven W. Smollens 2000 - Present Partner Smollens Guralnick & Frazer 1990 - 2000 Partner Smollens & Guralnick 1984 - 1990 Attorney Steven W. Smollens 1982 - 1984
United States Army (Reserve)
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USAR (Reserve) Honorable Discharge 1972
Education
Brooklyn Law School
J.D.
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City University of New York - City College
B.A. | Political Science
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Awards
TOP CONTRIBUTERS AWARD
AVVO
CLIENT'S CHOICE AWARD
AVVO
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
New York County Lawyers' Association
Recognition of outstanding contribution to the Association's Continuing Legal education program
CERTIFICATE
NYSBA
Co-Chairperson CLE Program Residential Landlord and Tenant Practice Update
CERTIFICATE
NYSBA
Speaker Residential Landlord and Tenant Practice Update
AVVO RATING TOP LAWYER
AVVO
REVIEWS
AVVO
Professional Associations
New York State Bar  # 1564673
Member
- Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Advanced Issues in Cooperative and Condominium Law,New York County Lawyers' Association CLE Nonpayment Proceedings, Warranty of Habitability, Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise
Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series, NYCLA Nonpayment Proceedings, Bed Bugs, Warranty of Habitability
New York County Lawyers' Association, CLE, Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise Nonpayment Proceedings, Warranty of Habitability
New York County Lawyers' Association, CLE, Landlord and Tenant Practice: The Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Non-Payment Proceedings and the Warranty of Habitability
Speaking Engagements
NEW YORK COUNTY LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, VARIOUS CLE PROGRAM, NEW YORK
NYCLA
2007 CLE entitled Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Bed Bugs, Warranty of Habitability 2005 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Warranty of Habitability and Non Payment Proceedings 2004 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise 2004 Advanced Issues in Coop & Condo Law 2003 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series Techniques in Defending and Prosecuting a Non Payment Proceeding 2002 World Trade Center Owner and Tenant Forum in Commercial Tenant Issues
Websites & Blogs
Website
SmollensLawOffice
Legal Answers
304 Questions Answered
Q. Can a landlord void a lease if tenant passes away?
A: Dear Valley Stream Tenant:

Generally, there is a right of family member succession tenancy for Rent Stabilized tenancies. These are more complex when the remaining family member lives with a non-purchasing tenant after a cooperative conversion.

Generally, a lease, even a rent-stabilized lease, is conveyed instantly as a matter of law from the deceased tenant to the decedent estate--so a landlord has no legal basis to end a tenancy upon the passing away of the tenant.

The Offering Plan should state if a non-purchasing tenant has a right as an insider to purchase the shares allocated to the apartment after a cooperative conversion and after the tenant declined to purchase during the initial offering.

I suggest you reach out to attorneys in Nassau County.
... Read More
Q. Should I list the governing agency on the summons and complaint? Should I add on to the complaint?
A: No. New York State (Department of State) is not a proper party. All New York domestic corporations and LLCs are registered with DOS. Amending a summons is far more complex than amending a complaint--although recent changes in the CPLR make amendments to complaints more difficult than before.
Q. Landlord's cleaner took 5 days to take pic of wall hole they say I caused. Is their 5 day delay strong argument for me?
A: Dear Manhattan Tenant:

A New York landlord has 14 days to present a former tenant with the written itemization of damages the landlord will charge against the tenant's security deposit and to refund the balance of the security deposit. A tenant has no right to return after moving out to make repairs. A tenant does have a right to a final walkthrough inspection of the apartment before moving out--to have time to make that type of repair.
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Contact & Map
SMOLLENS LAW OFFICE
New York
25 Waterside Plaza
Suite EE
New York, NY 10010
US
Toll-Free: (844) 310-9915
Telephone: (212) 619-7787
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
STEVEN W. SMOLLENS
25 Waterside Plaza
STE EE
New York, NY 10010
US
Toll-Free: (844) 310-9915
Telephone: (212) 619-7787
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Law Office Steven W Smollens
New York
25 WATERSIDE PLAZA
STE EE
New York, NY 10007
US
Toll-Free: (844) 310-9915
Telephone: (212) 619-7787
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours