- GuardianshipMs. Villacci has been admitted to practice law in New York State since 1990. Her practice areas include Elder Law, Estate Planning, Probate and Estates Administration, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Guardianships and Medicaid Applications. She received her law degree from Hofstra University of Law in 1989. She has written many articles and given lectures to community groups to educate them regarding elder law and estate planning. In 2013 and 2014, she was named one of New York’s Super Lawyers, with her recognition noted in Super Lawyers Magazine, Newsday and the New York Times. She is a trained Mediator, particularly in the areas of Guardianships, Elder Law and Estate matters.
- Corporate LawMr. Duggan is of counsel with the firm and principally concentrates in the areas of corporate law, real estate law, and trusts and estates. Mr. Duggan has practiced law in the Hudson Valley for over forty years.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsRider, Weiner & Frankel, P.C., is one of the preeminent commercial law firms in the Hudson Valley with roots tracing back to 1932. From business formation to mergers and acquisitions, real estate department to complex construction litigation, employment law and human resources, municipal law and estate planning, our attorneys have the experience you need.
- Business Formation
- Business DisputesMichael J. Matsler is a partner of the firm and head of the litigation department. Mr. Matsler focuses on litigation involving construction contracts and construction industry dispute resolution, lien law issues, public works and municipal law, employment law, complex commercial and business disputes and dissolutions; and general commercial and business litigation.
- Business TransactionsOver the past twenty years the firm has developed substantial expertise in municipal law representing the largest municipality in Orange County, and has attorneys who focus on corporate and commercial transactions, land development and transactions, medical services and delivery, environmental law, estate planning and administration, litigation in State and Federal Courts, and before governmental agencies. Having deep roots in the Mid Hudson region is an invaluable asset to our clients, who benefit from our knowledge of the landscape, business people, professionals, and government.
- Limited Liability CompaniesWe advise clients on the formation and conduct of corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and joint ventures, and perform transactional services relating to the purchase, sale and financing of companies as well as reorganizations. We assist our clients in commercial arrangements such as distribution, franchising, licensing, manufacturing and equipment leasing.
- Construction Contracts
- Unfair CompetitionRelated intellectual property services include assisting clients with the legal aspects of developing markets for their products including licensing, franchising, general commercial negotiations related to intellectual property rights, transfer of intellectual property rights and creative products, rights of privacy, publicity and unfair competition, and preparation and review of agency, licensing, distribution, and joint venture agreements.
- Employment ContractOur attorneys can advise and respond to concerns within each of these areas while maintaining particular sensitivity to the commercial interest of employers and the concerns and expectations of employees. Clients frequently ask that we advise them on severance terms for senior executives, and the provisions of employment contracts (including non-competition covenants) as well as review their corporate employment handbooks and manuals.
- Real Estate LitigationCharles E. Frankel is a partner of the firm and head of the firm’s real estate department. Mr. Frankel focuses primarily in the areas of commercial and residential real estate law, real estate litigation, banking law, zoning law, environmental law, and trusts and estates. Mr. Frankel has extensive expertise in all aspects of real estate transactions, including the sale, lease, finance, and development of commercial, residential, and agricultural properties. In his practice, Mr. Frankel represents purchasers, sellers, lending institutions, brokers, and creditors.
- Construction LitigationThe firm has extensive experience in advising clients involved in the construction industry, including general contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects and engineers. We prepare construction contracts, subcontracts and project documentation, and take a proactive role in advising our clients with respect to their legal rights and obligations before, during, and after the conclusion of the project.
- Real Estate Transactions
- Easement
- Land Use and ZoningMark C. Taylor is a partner of the firm and head of the firm’s municipal law group. He specializes in municipal law, land use law, environmental law, condominium law, and general corporate law. Mr. Taylor also has a finance background, which gives him a unique perspective when analyzing financial aspects of all transactions.
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesWe have represented lenders and borrowers to finance acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of property as well as with transactions from simple home loans to leasehold mortgages, conduit loans, securitized loans, defeasance, like-kind exchanges, and sale leaseback transactions. Our clients have come to rely upon us for our expertise in handling land development, due diligence, construction, permitting, pilot agreements, rights of way, covenants and easements. We have also handled a variety of real estate lawsuits, including municipal disputes, mortgage foreclosures, boundary line disputes, adverse possession, tax certiorari proceedings, condemnation, loan enforcement, loan work outs, bankruptcy, contract actions, title issues, and landlord tenant disputes.
- Condominium Law
- Estate PlanningMr. Frankel is a member of the Orange County Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, and the New York State Bar Association. An active member of many community and civic organizations, currently Mr. Frankel is a member of the St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Foundation Board, member of the Greater Newburgh Rotary Club, and has served as a member and president of the Board of Education for the Cornwall Central School District, president of the Greater Newburgh Bar Association, president of the Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council, vice president of the Orange County School Boards Association, and volunteer at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh.
- WillsMr. Rider is a managing partner of the firm and practices primarily in the areas of municipal law, commercial real estate, wills and estates and corporate law. He has been engaged as the attorney for the Town of Highlands and the Town of Highlands Planning Board since 2006. Prior to joining the firm, his practice areas also included contract and tort litigation.
- TrustsDavid L. Rider is a founding partner of the firm and head of the firm’s corporate department. His principal areas of interest are corporate law, trusts and estates, labor law, banking law, municipal law, and health care law.
- ProbateTo advise a private client successfully requires a close understanding of each client’s complex financial matters as well as individual planning expectations, requirements, and familial circumstances. In recommending an estate plan, we consider the impact of taxation both on the individual (whether will, trust, lifetime gifts or insurance) and in the business context (where a sale or buy-out may be involved). Our estate administration and probate services are provided to implement these plans. We also advise clients in contested estate matters.
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureOur extensive banking practice includes acting as counsel to national and regional lending institutions and credit unions. In addition to preparing or reviewing security documentation for commercial lending, we advise on new forms of security, major financings, retail banking problems and consumer credit. This practice is complemented by our experience in handling all aspects of banking litigation, loan workouts and ancillary real estate foreclosures.
- Tax LawOur municipal representation encompasses all facets of municipal law including land use plans and zoning, environmental law, code and policy drafting, adoption procedures and enforcement, special legislation, litigation, public finance, infrastructure and special districts, referenda, competitive bidding, public construction and liens, inter-municipal agreements, freedom of information and open meetings law compliance, grants, ethics, development zones, real property tax appeals and public employment.