Albert Rizzo has over 30 years of experience litigating complex commercial business disputes, employment discrimination cases, sexual harassment claims, wrongful termination claims, real estate and title disputes, fraud claims, and corporate and partnership dissolutions. His practice areas also include business and corporate law, contract law, employment law, residential and commercial real estate transactions, and Italian law.
Al is highly respected by his clients and peers. His successes as a litigator, negotiator and mediator are numerous. He serves as outsourced General Counsel for many small and closely-held businesses, individual entrepreneurs and start-up companies. And, because of his particular qualifications in employment law and human resources issues, he often acts as a legal consultant to Human Resources managers and personnel. As a trained and certified mediator and arbitrator, Al brings to the table an impressive wealth of litigation and business experience representing numerous clients in the New York State and Federal courts, as well as in arbitration, mediation and administrative proceedings. As a business owner, he understands the legal issues and challenges that businesses face--from formation to conflict management to potential litigation. Al is an active member of the New York State and New York City Bar Associations, a public arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and an Adjunct Professor at New York University's Graduate School of Professional Studies. He is also the author of several published articles and maintains a Blog, called "The Legal Firewall," on business and employment law issues. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Federal courts of the Southern District of New York, Eastern District of New York, and Northern District of New York, as well as the state trial and appellate courts of New York. In the Media:
Quoted on Monster.com: "How to Understand Stock Options in Your Job Offer" Quoted in the New York Post, "Here's How to Handle an Illegal Job Question on a Job Interview" Quoted on Avvo.com, "Can an Open Relationship Cost You Your Job?" Quoted in HR Magazine, Society for Human Resource Management, "Top 10 Employee Handbook Updates for 2016" Quoted in the Metro, "How to Deal With a Horrible Boss" Mentioned by City Bar Justice Center: "Small Business Success Series" Quoted on Monster.com: "Three Signs Your Non-Compete Agreement Won't Stand Up in Court" Quoted on New York.com: "The Truth About Internship" Quoted on Lowe's For Pros.com: "Effective Disposal Methods of Personal Property" Quoted on Lowe's For Pros.com: "Legal Issues for Property Managers" Quoted on MSN.com: "1 in 4 Fight for Jobless Checks" |
Professional Associations:
New York City Bar Association, Committee on the State Courts, Member 2019 - Present New York State Bar Association, Committee on Dispute Resolution, Member 2011- Present New York City Bar Association, Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution, Member 2009 - Present New York City Bar Association, Qualified Legal Referral Panel, Member, for: Employment Law Commercial Law Real Estate Law Mediator for the New York State Supreme Court, Commercial Division, Qualified Mediator Panels Arbitrator, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Arbitrator, New York State Courts, Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and HR/NY, Member Faculty Positions: New York University, Graduate School of Professional Studies Adjunct Professor 2011 - Present Courses: *Advanced Labor Relations & Employment Law *Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management *Corporations and Partnership Law Publications: "The Legal Firewall" © Law Blog (2009 - Present) "Mooting Class Actions By an Offer of Judgment: Can it Really be Done?" New York Law Journal, Outside Counsel Column, August 8, 2016, p. 4 “Beware of Service Upon the Dead! A Trap for the Unwary” New York Law Journal, Outside Counsel Column, December 10, 2004, pp. 4-5 “Escrow Funds: Whose Property?” New York Law Journal, Outside Counsel Column, November 27, 2000, p. S3 NYC Bar Association, Legal Referral Service, "Legal Topics," Legal Editor (2013- Present) Pro Bono Activity: Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project Education: Fordham University School of Law, J.D. Fordham University, B.A. Languages: English Italian |