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Steven Warren Smollens
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About Steven
Biography
Tenant representation, advocate, and attorney since 1976.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Landlord or Tenant
80%
51 years
Litigation
10%
51 years
Real Estate
10%
51 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 150-500 per hour
Contingency
10%-24%
Pro bono
15 %
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Check
Awards
2025 2024 2023
...
+
11
2019 2017 2016
...
+
1
Licenses
Licensed in New York for 50 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1976
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Steven Warren Smollens's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
72 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (72)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 12 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | August 14, 2023 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Very generous and helpful
Mr. Smollens spent a lot of time answering the questions I had about my case. He was informative and gave me a better understanding of the process.
Posted by anonymous | March 11, 2020 | Landlord & Tenant
Great Advice
Although I was dismayed to learn about the mistakes I made trying to handle my late-paying tenant myself, Mr. Smollens provided straightforward information. My situation is somewhat unique with details in the lease varying from NYS law. I know what I will not do next time thanks to Mr. Smollens and ...
Posted by Michael | June 27, 2019
Knowledge about Jury Service responsibilities.
I consulted Attorney Steven Warren Smollen about Jury Service with English Second Language. Though I did not hire this Attorney, he paid a lot of attention to my case with details. The answers of the Attorney are precise. This is very valuable thing for gaining knowledge about Jury Service responsibi...
Steven Smollens
Replied last June 27, 2019Thank you.
Posted by Ross Peters | May 01, 2017
Great resonder
Felt hopeless since this is a first time experience?! He made me heard.
Posted by anonymous | December 07, 2016 | Landlord & Tenant
Helped During a Difficult Roommate Situation
Mr. Smollens was courteous, concise, and quick to respond. I had a cotenant with multiple lease violations that directly impacted me and my girlfriend. She refused to correct her violations after multiple discussions and formal requests. Mr. Smollens was able to clarify the situation so I could ge...
Steven Warren Smollens's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer for his esteemed reputation as a landlord-tenant attorney in NYC and approach to resolving disputes."
"Not just good but some great answers. Mr. Smollens' answers are really customized to the needs of the Avvo asker. His answers embody the qualities that every client would look for when hiring a lawyer."
"Me. Smollens demonstrates daily his expertise, client commitment, and experience. If you’re looking for an attorney in any field, find one that can compare to Mr. Smollens in his attention to detail and thorough answers."
"It is clear from Steven's education, experience and responses on AVVO that he is a knowledgeable and capable advocate who cares about his clients. I endorse this attorney."
"I endorse Attorney Smollens."
"Mr. Smollens is consistently offering sage advice and meaning analysis in the Avvo community. He would be the kind of attorney I would trust with a legal issue."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Smollens dispenses valuable, well-reasoned and wise analysis in this forum. I endorse him."
"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."
"I endorse this lawyer. This attorney provides sound legal advice throughout the AVVO legal 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."
"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."
"Mr. Smollens is thoughtful, conscientious, and may be the most experienced attorney practicing landlord/tenant law on Avvo and in his geographic practice area."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Smollens is a very knowledgeable and effective advocate for his clients."
"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."
"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."
"100% the best tenant attorney in NYC!"
"I endorse this lawyer.His knowledge of landlord & tenant matters is truley outstanding."
"Mr. Smollens brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to any matter he is involved with. I endorse this lawyer."
Russell Dombrow
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Frances Campbell
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Jack Lebowitz
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Michael Juarez
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Mark Campanella
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Experience
Honors
2020
Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Top Contributer Landlord & Tenant, AVVO
2016
Client's Choice Landlord & Tenant, Avvo
2016
Top Attorney Landlord and Tenant AVVO Rating Superb, AVVO
2014
Landlord and Tenant Top Contributer, AVVO
2013
Clients' Choice Landlord & Tenant, AVVO Award
2013
Top Attorney Landlord & Tenant, AVVO
2013
Top Contributor Landlord & Tenant, AVVO
1992
Association's Continuing Legal Education Program, New York State Bar Association
N/A
Civil Court Practice Section, New York County Lawyers' Association
N/A
Superb Top Attorney Landlord & Tenant Law, AVVO
Work Experience
2000 - Present
Attorney, Law Office of Steven W. Smollens
1990 - 2000
Partner, Smollens Guralnick & Frazer
1984 - 1990
Partner, Smollens & Guralnick
1982 - 1984
Attorney, Steven W. Smollens
1976 - 1982
Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society New York City
Associations
2000 - 2015
New York 74th Assembly District , Part CDistrict Leader
1993 - 2001
Waterside Tenants AssociationPast President
Sample of Legal Cases
EKATERINA DERDERIAN v. DEBRA LEHMANN and VADIM HOFFMAN;
Tenant defeated the owner's use eviction petition:
Education
1975
Brooklyn Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1973
City College, CCNY
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2007
2007 CLE entitled Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series
Bed Bugs, Warranty of Habitability
2005
2005 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series
Warranty of Habitability and Non Payment Proceedings
2004
2004 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series
Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise
2004
2004 CLE
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 January 2002
Commercial Tenant Issues
2002
2002 Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series
Traverse Hearings and Non Payment Summary Proceedings
1999
“Bridge the Gap” Continuing Legal Education for the Newly Admitted Attorney
Introduction to Landlord and Tenant Law
N/A
Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series
Landlord and Tenant Practice Update, Faculty Chair and Speaker
Publications
2007
Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series, NYCLA
Nonpayment Proceedings, Bed Bugs, Warranty of Habitability
2004
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
2003
New York County Lawyers' Association, CLE, Landlord and Tenant Practice: The Jack Newton Lerner Lecture Series
Non-Payment Proceedings and the Warranty of Habitability
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Steven earned significant contribution points in 2025.
Legal Answers
Q&A
Do I have legal recourse to get my money back from a sublease that was done illegally?
07 Apr 2026
Q&A
What do I do? I know I have a valid case, but does he?
30 Mar 2026
Q&A
Our neighbor installed a camera directly facing into our house. What can we do?
31 Mar 2026