A lis pendens, formally known in New York as a Notice of Pendency, is a notice filed against real property to alert potential purchasers, lenders, and others that the property is involved in pending litigation. New York's rules governing Notices of Pendency are contained in CPLR Article 65. A Notice of Pendency can have an immediate practical effect on a property owner. Once filed, it provides constructive notice that the outcome of the lawsuit may affect rights in the proper

Disputes over real estate often arise when one person provides money that is later used by another person to purchase property. This frequently occurs among family members, romantic partners, and business associates, where money may change hands without a formal written agreement. If the property is ultimately titled in only one person's name, the person who supplied the money may claim that he or she nevertheless owns an equitable interest in the property through a construct

On July 8, 2026, Thompson & Skrabanek, PLLC filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Republic of Venezuela on behalf of the firm’s clients, Faisal AlFaour and Talal AlFaour. The lawsuit seeks to recover more than $7.2 million in unpaid sovereign debt, interest, and related amounts arising from Venezuelan government bonds held by the firm’s clients. AlFaour et al. v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, No. 1:26-cv-0576

On June 26, 2026, Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives unanimously passed the country’s first stand-alone Freedom of Information Proclamation. Multiple outlets reported the vote and its registration as Proclamation No. 1427/2018 (E.C.). Early coverage indicates the version passed matches the draft last reviewed by the Democratic Affairs Standing Committee, with no dissent and no major amendments reported. Our firm reviewed an earlier working version of this draft, and

Photographers do not just take pictures. They create valuable intellectual property. A single image can be used to sell products, promote events, build brands, decorate websites, drive social media engagement, and generate advertising revenue. That is exactly why photographs are so often stolen, copied, reposted, altered, cropped, stripped of attribution, and used without permission. Many photographers assume there is nothing they can do when a business, publication, influenc

This article explains what small businesses should know if they have paid tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Small businesses often hear some version of this: “Please do not put me on payroll. I want to be paid as a 1099 contractor.” The owner agrees, the worker seems happy, and everyone moves on. Months or years later, the same worker files a lawsuit claiming they were really an employee and were misclassified. Many employers assume that the worker’s request should be a defense. In most cases, it is not. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), employers are responsible for det

Thompson & Skrabanek has been busy ! So busy that we've neglected to share many significant victories from 2025 and 2026. A brief summary of some of our more noteworthy recent wins follows: AUGUST 2025 : Angela Wahab v. Evolutions Hair Salon, LLC (Southern District of New York, Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr.) - Partner J.R. Skrabanek and Associate Mastewal Terefe prevailed on a motion to dismiss. Thompson & Skrabanek secured a dismissal in federal court for Evolutions Hair Salo

Thompson & Skrabanek is excited to share that the New York Appellate Division, Second Department , has issued a unanimous 4-0 decision...

In this article, we will cover the unique remedy of prejudgment attachment. 1. What Is Prejudgment Attachment? Prejudgment attachment is...

Construction workers cut and organize rebar at a typical NYC construction site. What is a Mechanic's Lien? A mechanic's lien is a legal...

In New York, hard work is a common currency. New Yorkers, renowned for their dynamic spirit, are some of the hardest-working people in the world. But while their dreams are big, their paychecks should never fall short. Particularly for freelancers, who, like all workers, deserve to be paid timely and in full for their hard work. Recognizing this pressing need, and in order to uphold the rights of freelancers, New York City introduced the Freelance Isn’t Free Act ("FIFA") in 2

Arbitration is a popular method for resolving disputes without going to court. It involves a neutral third party, called an arbitrator ,...

Thompson & Skrabanek is proud to announce a remarkable legal feat in the case of Woodside Credit, LLC v. Deloy , which is presently being...

Summary judgment in lieu of complaint is a legal procedure that allows a plaintiff to seek a quicker resolution to their case.

In a significant legal triumph, a New York County Supreme Court judge has ruled in favor of T&S’s client, a prominent international...

T&S is very pleased to share that on September 27, 2023, Partner J.R. Skrabanek prevailed in yet another construction defect trial! T&S...

T&S is pleased to share that on July 27, 2023, J.R. Skrabanek prevailed in a construction defect trial that was held in New York County...

T&S is excited to announce that Partner J.R. Skrabanek will be leading a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) session on "Paperless Law...

Thompson & Skrabanek is proud to share that Partner JR Skrabanek was recently invited to the Best of the Bar™Membership in Texas for a...