Jacob E. Amir

jamir@zarin-steinmetz.com
(914) 220-9800
Biography

Jacob’s lead on land use, litigation, and transactions provides clients with all-inclusive and skillful counsel on construction, real estate, and business matters.

As transactional and land use counsel, Jacob has represented stakeholders on mixed-use, commercial, and residential real estate projects, including acquisitions and sales, guidance through the entitlement process, and financing. Jacob particularly enjoys providing valuable insight and draftsmanship on the construction phase of a development project, working with property owners and contractors to bring a project design to fruition.

As a litigator, Jacob provides goal-oriented advocacy on behalf of his clients. He is first-chair litigation counsel on business, construction, and real estate disputes, deftly handling actions and arbitrations in Federal and State Court. Jacob has successfully represented his clients through trials and appeals on construction and contract disputes, Lien Law claims, real estate controversies, and shareholder and membership disagreements.

Jacob is co-chair of the Westchester County Bar Association’s Construction Law Committee, sits on the Legal Advisory Committee of the Associated General Contractors of New York State, and is a member of the Village of Ardsley Zoning Board of Appeals.

Prior to joining Zarin & Steinmetz, Jacob was a partner and associate with two highly respected Westchester County law firms, and before that, an Assistant County Attorney in the Litigation Bureau of the Westchester County Attorney’s Office. Jacob earned his Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he was a Jacob Burns medal recipient and editor of the Moot Court Honor Society. Jacob holds a Bachelor of Arts from New York University.

Education

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, J.D.

New York University, B.A.

Admissions

New York

United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

United States District Court, Southern District of New York

United States District Court, Eastern District of New York

Notable Work

  • Represented shareholders and closely-held corporation in action against minority shareholder for fraud regarding conveyance of large residential property. Following a trial which included over 100 exhibits and a recreation of a 30 year factual history, obtained a decision declaring his clients’ shareholder interests, voiding the fraudulent deed and restoring ownership of the property to the corporation.
  • Represented client on the sale of a $7,000,000 mixed-use building, purchase of $1.8 million investment property and contract negotiations for $10.5 million purchase of strip malls as part of a 1031 exchange.
  • Represented seller of a residential building and adjacent parking lot following defense of that seller against claims of specific performance and contract claims, successfully negotiating a settlement of the action and completion of the transaction under improved terms.
  • Obtained favorable decision after trial on behalf of homeowner, defending against claims brought by a general contractor for wrongful termination and breach of contract. After a four day trial, the Court issued a decision dismissing the complaint and awarding a counterclaim money judgment to Jacob’s client.
  • Obtained favorable decision in a special proceeding, on behalf of a condominium building and 48 condominium units, cancelling a mechanic’s lien filed by a general contractor asserting non-payment of insurance premiums and other monies due.

Our Attorneys work across multiple practice areas

Insights (Speaking Engagements & Publications)

Speaking

  • Moderator, “Owners vs. Contractors in Mechanics’ Lien Claims,” Westchester County Bar, March 2023
  • Panelist, “Navigating Claims and Disputes Under AIA Construction Contracts,” Westchester County Bar, July 2022
  • Presenter, “Preparing For and Dealing With Subcontractor Defaults,” Associated General Contractors NYS Annual Convention, December 2020
  • Presenter, “Lien Law 3A Claims In and Out of Bankruptcy Court,” Associated General Contractors NYS Webinar, June 2020

 

Publications

  • “Subcontractors, Prevailing Wages and the Construction Fair Play Act,” Cornerstone Magazine (Summer 2019)
  • “Defining ‘Substantial Completion’ for Lien Law and Contract Purposes,” Cornerstone Magazine (Summer 2018)
  • “Prima Facie Title VII Retaliation Claims for Employer Promotions, Reassignments and Transfers” 33 West. B.J. 48 (Spring/Summer 2006).
Community Involvement

Greater Westchester

  • Board Member, Village of Ardsley Zoning Board of Appeals
  • Adjunct Professor (former), Pace University Paralegal Studies Program
  • Member, Legal Advisory Committee, Associated General Contractors of New York State

 

Memberships

  • New York State Bar Association – Real Property Law Section (Construction Law Committee)
  • Westchester County Bar Association – Co-Chair, Construction Law Committee