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Steven Warren Smollens

Steven Warren Smollens

New York County Lawyers' Association
  • Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant
  • New York
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A
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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Brooklyn Law School Logo
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
329 Questions Answered
Q. Do I have to pay retroactive rent increase without notification for six months?
A: Dear Queens Tenant

I gather that the landlord hadn't served a Rent Demand or suggested that the landlord will seek a determination in Housing Court.

You could share the rental dispute problem with an attorney. But if the claimed retroactive rent is less than one thousand dollars the lawyer fees to go over the facts with you and provide a legal opinion or negotiate a better deal with the landlord it may not be worth spending money to buy legal services.
Q. Received eviction notice for old unpaid rent despite new leases and consistent payments in NY.
A: Dear Manhattan Tenant

You mean that you were served with a Petition for nonpayment of rent in New York City Housing Court and the Notice of Petition told you have ten days to Answer the Petition or risk a default judgment against you and eviction?

You need to do so. You state your defense just as you described the facts above. Generally a New York Landlord will lose any claims for suing for old unpaid rent as you described especially when no prior rent demand is made before the lawsuit.
Q. How can my elderly cousin request a postponement for a hearing in NY?
A: Your statement missed key information. In New York there is no automatic court appearance with the service of a Summons. A Simmons served outside New York State often has technical deficiency in the method of service. Nevertheless a Summons alone commands a responsive pleading known as an Answer. The court cannot assign a hearing date without an Answer.

Did your cousin Answer the Summons without a lawyer? Then she needs a lawyer now. Generally there is no legal claim based on nothing more than a verbal agreement to rent real property.
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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 (Today)
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
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 (Today)
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
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 (Today)
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours