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The office is not accepting legal representations. Consultation only on your legal matters. No litigation matters.
3
Practice Areas
51 years
51 years
51 years
Free Consultation
$0 first 15 minutes
100 %
State: New York
Acquired: 1976
No misconduct found
72 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Professionalism
Posted by anonymous | March 08, 2019
VERY HELPFUL
Steven gave me legal advice on a very specific matter, that was imperative to my situation. I'm truly grateful for his help.
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...
Posted by mitchel_cohn | January 01, 2015 | Landlord & Tenant
What you hope a attorney will be.
Mr. Smollens is an excellent attorney. He responds to your inquiries immediately and even works for you during the holidays. He helped me on New Year's Eve. He helped to put my mind to rest on some issues concerning my landlord's attempt to evict the entire building. He explained rent stabilization t...
Posted by Sasha | January 06, 2013 | Landlord & Tenant
Talented Lawyer, and a kind indidual!
This is the second time Mr. Smollens has assisted me with my rental apartment. I am just so in awe of a consummate professional who donates his time so kindly. I am in the unenviable position of being a low income tenant which lacks the funding to hire an attorney. Mr.Smollens is fast to respond to m...
Posted by anonymous | March 04, 2017
Knowledgeable but dismissive
Had a phone call with Steven and he was not very professional. He was very condescending and impolite. I had a few questions, which I asked him, and Steven did not answer directly, and instead was dismissive. I even tried to see if he would meet, but he was not interested. One seeks a lawyer in a spe...
Hello. I do not know who you are. I do not recall this telephone consultation. On a telephone call the best you should hope for from a lawyer who is not your attorney, who does not have your papers, or your name, is guidance. You could not expect targeted legal advice outside the scope of an attorney and client relation. I do not discuss fees over the telephone. I suggest when I am asked to discuss fees to look at the profile on AVVO. Customary hourly fees and legal experience are publicly disclosed and online. If you wish to try again, please do so. Telephone consultations are free of charge and without any need to ever commit to hire the law firm as your attorney. I do business by using my best judgment and professional skill and expertise gained over forty years. So, I offer you the chance to try again.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Mr. Smollens brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to any matter he is involved with. I endorse this lawyer."
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Landlord or tenant lawyer
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
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
2000 - 2015
New York 74th Assembly District , Part CDistrict Leader
1993 - 2001
Waterside Tenants AssociationPast President
Tenant defeated the owner's use eviction petition:
1975
JD - Juris Doctor
1973
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2007
Bed Bugs, Warranty of Habitability
2005
Warranty of Habitability and Non Payment Proceedings
2004
Objectionable Conduct, Nuisance, Pets and Noise
2004
Advanced Issues in Coop & Condo Law
2003
Techniques in Defending and Prosecuting a Non Payment Proceeding
2002
Commercial Tenant Issues
2002
Traverse Hearings and Non Payment Summary Proceedings
1999
Introduction to Landlord and Tenant Law
N/A
Landlord and Tenant Practice Update, Faculty Chair and Speaker
2007
2004
2004
2003
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Steven earned significant contribution points in 2026.
2 illegal rooms in SUPPLY room of RESIDENTIAL BUILDING & a STORAGE ROOM for super personal use too
12 May 2026
How long will a case file case status: Pre-RJI and e-filing status: waiting on index number
12 May 2026
Is re-rental fee of 1 month specified in lease legal in NYS when a tenant breaks the lease?
11 May 2026