On May 9, 2025, Craig Cepler secured a verdict for our client in a case against the federal government, thus serving to vacate the IRS’s assessment of tax liabilities (exceeding $2 million, including fees and interest) against our client.

Our client’s husband owned an industrial cleaning company, and she provided minimal support to assist him. When the company failed to remit payroll taxes to the IRS in 2012 and 2013, the government assessed our client for the deficiencies. We brought suit in the Eastern District of New York on behalf of our client, seeking a declaratory judgment that she was not responsible for the company’s payroll tax obligations. After a one-week trial, the jury found in favor of our client on all counts, agreeing with our arguments that her minimal involvement was insufficient to deem her a responsible person under federal tax law and that she did not willfully fail to remit any withholdings to the IRS.

This verdict put an end to the 10+ year campaign by the IRS against our client. We are very proud to have reached this outcome for her and to give her repose from the IRS.

Jury Clears Biz Owner’s Wife Of $2M Payroll Tax Debt – Law360

Kudos to Jeff Carton and Steve Schoenfeld for their continued appointments to the American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) Commercial Litigation Panel of Neutrals. The AAA’s Commercial Litigation Panel focuses on resolving complex commercial disputes through arbitration, requiring a high level of legal knowledge and experience. Congratulations!

After delivering opening statements to a rapt Westchester jury, Jim Denlea and Chris Dennis successfully settled a medical malpractice case for $1,000,000. Our client, the victim of surgical malpractice committed by a prominent Hudson Valley surgeon, sustained life-altering damages when the defendant surgeon attempted a procedure that was not recognized in surgical practice, as within any accepted standard of care. While no amount of money can ever make up for the physical and emotional pain and suffering experienced by our client, we were delighted to help hold her physician accountable, and to recover a significant sum to redress her injuries.

Jim Denlea and Craig Cepler recently settled a wrongful termination action on extremely favorable economic terms. Jim and Craig were able to demonstrate that our client’s former employer had ulterior motives for withholding payment of vested commissions to him. The matter was settled just prior to the start of an evidentiary hearing, and results in a significant recovery for the client as he prepares to pursue his next employment opportunity.

Kudos to 6 of our lawyers, James Denlea, Jeff Carton, Craig Cepler, John Leifert, Steven Schoenfeld and Stanislav Sharovskiy, having been named to the 2023 New York Metro Super Lawyers list. In addition, our co-founder Jeff Carton has been selected as one of the Top 25 Westchester County Super Lawyers. Congrats to all!