- Home
- Find a Lawyer
- New York
- New York
- Landlord & Tenant
- Steven Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
- New York, NY
- Licensed for 43 years
- Free consultation
About Steven
Tenant representation, advocate, and attorney since 1976.
Practice areas
- Landlord or tenant: 80%
All aspects of housing law including trials and appeals in New York State Courts, including defense of the home in all holdover grounds for rent regulated and not regulated tenants, including cooperatives. Specialist in bedbugs, mold and warranty of habitability.
43 years
- Real estate: 10%
Representation of tenant associations, cooperative board, residential cooperative closings. Mitchell-Lama, HDFC,
43 years
- Litigation: 10%
NYC and NYS Mitchell-Lama, Rent Stabilization, Bed Bugs, Pets, Tenancy Surrender (Buy Outs)
36 years
Languages spoken
English
Photos and videos
Contact
Law Office of Steven W. Smollens
25 Waterside Plaza
New York, NY, 10010
Website
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| NY | Currently registered | 1976 | 07/11/2019 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Distinguished | Martindale-Hubbell | 2019 |
| Top Contributer Landlord & Tenant | AVVO | 2016 |
| Client's Choice Landlord & Tenant | Avvo | 2016 |
| Top Attorney Landlord and Tenant AVVO Rating Superb | AVVO | 2016 |
| Landlord and Tenant Top Contributer | AVVO | 2014 |
| Clients' Choice Landlord & Tenant | AVVO Award | 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Top Attorney Landlord & Tenant | AVVO | 2013 |
| Top Contributor Landlord & Tenant | AVVO | 2013 |
| Association's Continuing Legal Education Program | New York State Bar Association | 1992 |
| Civil Court Practice Section | New York County Lawyers' Association | N/A |
| Superb Top Attorney Landlord & Tenant Law | AVVO | N/A |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Staff Attorney | Legal Aid Society New York City | 1976 - 1982 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York 74th Assembly District , Part C | District Leader | 2000 - 2015 |
| Waterside Tenants Association | Past President | 1993 - 2001 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series, NYCLA | Nonpayment Proceedings, Bed Bugs, Warranty of Habitability | 2007 |
| Advanced Issues in Cooperative and Condominium Law,New York County Lawyers' Association CLE | Nonpayment Proceedings, Warranty of Habitability, Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise | 2004 |
| New York County Lawyers' Association, CLE, Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series | Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise Nonpayment Proceedings, Warranty of Habitability | 2004 |
| New York County Lawyers' Association, CLE, Landlord and Tenant Practice: The Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series | Non-Payment Proceedings and the Warranty of Habitability | 2003 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1975 |
| City College, CCNY | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1973 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 CLE entitled Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series | Bed Bugs, Warranty of Habitability | 2007 |
| 2005 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series | Warranty of Habitability and Non Payment Proceedings | 2005 |
| 2004 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series | Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise | 2004 |
| 2004 CLE | Advanced Issues in Coop & Condo Law | 2004 |
| Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series | Techniques in Defending and Prosecuting a Non Payment Proceeding | 2003 |
| World Trade Center Owner and Tenant Forum in January 2002 | Commercial Tenant Issues | 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series | Traverse Hearings and Non Payment Summary Proceedings | 2002 |
| “Bridge the Gap” Continuing Legal Education for the Newly Admitted Attorney | Introduction to Landlord and Tenant Law | 1999 |
| Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series | Landlord and Tenant Practice Update, Faculty Chair and Speaker | N/A |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| EKATERINA DERDERIAN v. DEBRA LEHMANN and VADIM HOFFMAN; | Tenant defeated the owner's use eviction petition: |
Thorough and Knowledgeable
Posted by anonymous
Sun Oct 06 2019
GReat and informative and prompt
Posted by Omar
Thu Oct 03 2019
Attorney endorsements
(110)Trevor Eisenman, Education Attorney on Aug 17, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Mathew Paulose, Litigation Attorney on Nov 27, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Willie Graves, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 16, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Smollens dispenses valuable, well-reasoned and wise analysis in this forum. I endorse him.
Rahul Aggarwal, Real estate Attorney on Mar 20, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services.
William Fitch, Landlord or tenant Attorney on Feb 15, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. This attorney provides sound legal advice throughout the AVVO legal community.
Channika Desilva, Mesothelioma and asbestos Attorney on Mar 7, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. Mr. Smollens is a well-regarded and driven attorney who has provided exceptional legal representation to numerous clients throughout the U.S. With his extensive knowledge, broad experience and impressive professional skills, he is bound to invest his time and energy into achieving the best outcome for each case, regardless of its level of complexity.
Gregory Cade, Mesothelioma and asbestos Attorney on Feb 4, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Steven is undoubtedly a top notch attorney who has skillfully mastered his primary area of practice over the course of his professional experience. His sharp critical thinking and flawless work ethic are perhaps the key qualities which ensured the success of a remarkable number of his cases. I endorse this lawyer and encourage anyone who needs superior legal representation to opt for his services.
Bruce Stern, Litigation Attorney on Jan 16, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Smollens is thoughtful, conscientious, and may be the most experienced attorney practicing landlord/tenant law on Avvo and in his geographic practice area.
Leonard Boyer, Foreclosure Attorney on Dec 13, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Smollens is a very knowledgeable and effective advocate for his clients.
Jon Probstein, Litigation Attorney on Nov 30, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer and have meant to do this for some time now. Having read many of his contributions in Avvo, Mr. Smollens' knowledge and skills in New York landlord tenant law are quite remarkable.
Peter Schuyler, Litigation Attorney on Oct 4, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Smollens is very knowledgeable in Landlord Tenant law. If you are looking for a smart, practical and experienced lawyer, he is the one you want to want to have on your side. Hire him before your opponent does.
Steven Kaiser, Business Attorney on Jun 23, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
100% the best tenant attorney in NYC!
Derek Soltis, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on May 27, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.His knowledge of landlord & tenant matters is truley outstanding.
Noah Peterson, Employment and labor Attorney on May 6, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Smollens brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to any matter he is involved with. I endorse this lawyer.
Anthony Nozzolillo, Real estate Attorney on Apr 7, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. His responses on the AVVO forum are indicative of his mastery of land-lord tenant matters; same responses being thorough, concise, and rooted in legal fundamentals that achieve the intended goal of providing insightful assistance.
Benjamin Goldman, Speeding and traffic ticket Attorney on Mar 22, 2016
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Smollens is clearly the guru in all landlord tenant related matters.
Jordi Fernandez, Commercial real estate Attorney on Mar 15, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Joshua Bannister, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 13, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer for his extensive knowledge, experience & contribution to the Avvo community.
Brandon Robinson, Corporate and incorporation Attorney on Jan 20, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Attorney Steven Smollens is an authoritative, seminal resource for New York citizens on real property and landlord-tenant matters in that state. His deep experience and legal erudition set a gold standard for his colleagues, and his career has been to the benefit of countless New Yorkers. I gladly endorse him.
Naveed Siddiqi, Landlord or tenant Attorney on Dec 30, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer for his continued dedication in answering questions on avvo and his knowledge and experience in landlord tenant law.
Cost
- Hourly Rates$450-$450/hour
- Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs15 minutes
Check
Related lawyers near you
Avvo Rating
Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.
What determines Avvo Rating?
Experience & background
Years licensed, work experience, education
Legal community recognition
Peer endorsements, associations, awards
Legal thought leadership
Publications, speaking engagements
Discipline
Avvo Rating levels
- 10.0 - 9.0 Superb
- 8.9 - 8.0 Excellent
- 7.9 - 7.0 Very Good
- 6.9 - 6.0 Good
- 5.9 - 5.0 Average
- 4.9 - 4.0 Concern
- 3.9 - 3.0 Caution
- 2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution
- 1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution