For over 40 years, Ira has litigated cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts, representing the MTA and other government entities in a uniquely broad spectrum of litigation. As a partner in the firm’s Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice, Ira’s work has ranged from complex construction and lease litigation to suretyship to constitutional and civil rights class action litigation. He has also represented employers in litigation arising under federal and state anti-discrimination and retaliation laws.
Before joining HNRK in 2001, Ira served as senior counsel for litigation for the MTA and as assistant chief in the General Litigation Division of the New York City Law Department. While in public service, he successfully argued Westinghouse v. New York City Transit Authority, a landmark decision upholding the alternative dispute resolution procedure included in MTA’s construction contracts. He also successfully argued Rogers v. New York City Transit Authority, a leading First Amendment case establishing parameters for free expression in public transportation facilities.
His more recent accomplishments include: winning the dismissal, sustained on appeal, of a lawsuit by a private property owner against the MTA which sought compensation for the economic impact of the construction of the Second Avenue subway; winning the dismissal of a federal class action suit seeking to mandate the installation of platform barriers in the New York City subway system and the MTA’s commuter lines; winning summary judgment, including affirmance on appeal, on a contractor’s claim for delay damages in connection with the construction of the Long Island Rail Road terminal in Brooklyn; winning the dismissal, including affirmance on appeal, of a suit brought by a restaurateur at Grand Central Terminal claiming a loss of business due to the presence of homeless people and construction work around the Terminal; winning the dismissal of a lawsuit brought against the MTA seeking personal injury damages in connection with a terrorist attack on a subway train; and successfully negotiating a multi-million dollar recovery for the Metro-North Railroad for damages due to the collapse of homeowner’s retaining wall and ensuing landslide across a major rail line.
Ira has received many honors for his work, including being named a Northeast Trailblazer by The American Lawyer and recognized on the 2024 Trailblazer in Law list by City & State New York. He has also been recognized as a top litigator by Benchmark Litigation and a Super Lawyer since 2022.
Education: Skidmore College (B.A.); Brooklyn Law School (J.D)
Practice Areas: Complex Commercial Litigation • Employment Litigation
Updated Oct 2024
