Claude Szyfer

Claude Szyfer concentrates his work in antitrust, real estate litigation and counseling, commodities and derivatives law, and general litigation. His diverse practice involves representing trading firms, utilities, major real estate developers, and trade associations. In particular, Claude has been counsel to the Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., for the last 20 years. 

In addition, Claude has participated in both jury and non-jury trials in both Federal and State Court, and has an active antitrust counseling practice. His diverse practice allows him to be equally comfortable in front of a jury, or advocating on behalf of his clients before federal and state regulators.  Claude is also a founding member and co-chair of Stroock’s eDiscovery and Information Governance Practice Group. Fluent in Spanish, Claude’s practice often involves the representation of international financial institutions both in the United States and abroad, particularly with respect to international insolvency proceedings. 

In the real estate litigation arena, Claude currently serves as lead counsel for the Board of Manager of 443 Greenwich Street Condominium in their litigation against the Sponsors and Architects that executed the renovation and construction of that building. Furthermore, Claude serves as counsel to Vornado Realty Trust in connection with their major developments throughout the New York City area, including 220 Central Park South.  Similarly, Claude is currently counselling numerous developers in connection with major projects throughout New York City opposite the NYC Economic Development Corporation.     

In addition, Claude recently achieved a full contract price settlement for a group of real estate developers embroiled in a major redevelopment dispute with the Town of West Orange, New Jersey. In the matter, the Township sought to renege upon an agreement to repurchase the property at issue, and sought to obtain the land through a condemnation proceeding. After the filing of a complaint, drafted by Claude, the matter was settled for the full consideration sale price originally agreed to by the parties.

• Commodities / Derivatives / Energy
• Government Affairs
• Israel
• Litigation
• New York Condominium and Cooperatives
• Real Estate Litigation

• Member, Committee on Second Circuit Courts, Federal Bar Council, 1999-2008
• Member, Community Relations Committee Board, MetroWest
• Board of Directors, Jamie Oliver Food Foundation
• Board of Directors and Co-Founder, Real Estate Data Protection Legal Association (REDPLAN)
• Section Counsel, Council of Multiple Listing Services

• Co-author, "New 'Intel'-igence on ISDA 'Loss' Definition," Stroock Special Bulletin, January 14, 2016
• Co-author, "What's Required in Requirements Contracts," Pratt's Energy Law Report, September 2015, Vol. 15-8
• Co-author, "Multilateral Netting Under Safe Harbor Contracts: The Arguments for Enforceability in Bankruptcy (And for Mandatory Withdrawal of the Issue to District Court)," Pratt's Journal of Bankruptcy Law, April/May 2015
• Co-author, "What's Required in Requirements Contracts," and "Update: Power Up in the Air (Part II):  EPA Proposed Regulations for New and Existing Power Plants," Stroock Positive Energy, April 2015, Issue 4
• Co-author, "CAFA Jurisdiction over State Attorney General Parens Patriae Actions," The Review of Banking and Financial Services, September 2013, Vol. 29, No. 9
• Co-author, "Supreme Court Relaxes View of Tying Patents," New York Law Journal, March 27, 2006
• Co-author, "The Importance Of Consent-to-Record Provisions in ISDA Master Agreements," Derivatives Week, February 7, 2005

• Speaker, "Legal Update," CMLS, September 30, 2022
• Speaker, "Legal Forum," CMLS, September 28, 2022
• Speaker, “MLS Litigation Update,” Orange County Realtors, May 19, 2022
• Speaker, “Real Estate Industry Antitrust Class Actions,” Conference of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) Annual Spring Legal Seminar, April 15, 2021
• Speaker, “What To Do When a Counterparty Becomes Distressed or Files for Bankruptcy: Safe Harbor Contracts and Strategies for Recovery,” Stroock Webinar, June 16, 2020
• Moderator, “The CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program — What You Need to Know,” REBNY Webinar Series, April 14, 2020
• Speaker, "Position Limits," NYSBA Derivatives and Structured Products Law Committee, November 22, 2013

New York

U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court

J.D., New York University School of Law, 1995; Notes and Articles Editor, Journal of International Law and Politics

B.A., with honors, Wesleyan University, 1990

Clerk, Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1998-1999