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Kerry T. Cooperman is an experienced commercial litigator and the director of Stroock’s national pro bono program.

Commercial Litigation

Kerry has a diverse commercial litigation practice, with over a decade of experience handling complex real estate disputes, litigation and regulatory matters for financial service companies and trading firms, and general commercial litigation for other large enterprises.

Kerry has represented building owners, developers, cooperatives and condominiums, commercial tenants, and others in a broad range of real estate disputes, including leasing and contract disputes, joint venture disputes, brokerage disputes, construction litigation, RPAPL 881 proceedings, zoning and licensing issues, and proceedings before municipal regulators.  He has achieved successful outcomes in trial and appellate courts and through out-of-court settlements and mediated negotiations.

Kerry also has experience representing banks, other financial service companies, and trading firms in matters including contract disputes, consumer issues, and regulatory enforcement and compliance.  He has assisted clients in responding to civil investigative demands and subpoenas issued by regulators including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Not-for-Profit and Tax-Exempt Organizations

Kerry also leads the firm’s nonprofit work, regularly advising public charities, private foundations, social welfare organizations, trade associations, and other nonprofits on a broad range of complex operating and dispute-resolution matters.  His experience includes nonprofit formation, corporate governance, international and domestic grantmaking, federal and state regulatory compliance, lobbying and other political law compliance, nonprofit mergers, and asset-sale transactions, among other issues.  Kerry counsels nonprofits in their dealings with the IRS, the New York State Office of the Attorney General, and other regulators, and frequently assists them in the resolution of internal and external disputes.

Director of the Public Service Project

As Pro Bono Director, Kerry administers the firm’s efforts to provide pro bono legal services to underserved populations through partnerships with myriad public interest and community organizations.  Kerry leads cases and provides resources and counsel to attorneys performing pro bono work on a wide range of matters, including education, housing, nonprofit law, family law and domestic violence, small-business support, civil rights litigation, criminal justice, immigration and humanitarian relief, and national disaster relief.  In recent years, he helped create disaster relief initiatives including the Small Business Legal Relief Alliance and the firm’s Refugee Assistance Task Force.

Kerry has a pro bono concentration in special education law, representing children with special education needs to help them secure educational programs, placements, and related services.  He regularly handles impartial due process hearings on behalf of families, and conducts trainings and workshops on special education advocacy for public interest groups, attorneys, educators, service providers, and parents.  Kerry has served on the NYC Bar Association’s Education and the Law Committee, is Co-Chair of the Education Working Group of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA), and does impact work to reform and improve education policy.

Kerry has also helped to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace at Stroock and to combat racism through community engagement and pro bono efforts.  He is a member of Stroock’s Diversity and Inclusion Council and co-runs the firm’s Anti Racist Ideas and Actions (ARIA) program.

  • "Stroock Pro Bono Head On Firms Confronting Legal Aid Crisis," Law360, June 25, 2021
  • "New York Commercial Landlords Must Prepare to Mitigate Rental Damages," Stroock Client Alert, June 16, 2021
  • "Congress Passes Changes to the Paycheck Protection Program," Stroock Special Bulletin, June 4, 2020
  • Speaker, "Countering Attacks on Honest and Inclusive Education: The Legislative and Litigation Landscape and What Comes Next,” NOLEA, October 6, 2022 
  • Speaker, “Special Education Impartial Hearings Training,” NYLPI, April 5, 2022
  • Member, The Association of Pro Bono Counsel
  • Member, Association of the Bar of the City of New York
  • Member, Non-Profit Organizations Committee, New York City Bar Association
  • PoliticsNY/amNY Metro, Power Players in Corporate Social Responsibility, 2023
  • Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2023-2024
  • City & State New York, The 2022 Responsible 100

New York; Connecticut

U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

J.D., cum laude, University of Maryland, 2009; Member, Maryland Law Review; Member, National Moot Court Team

B.A., magna cum laude, University of Pennsylvania, 2006

Kerry T. Cooperman is an experienced commercial litigator and the director of Stroock’s national pro bono program.

Commercial Litigation

Kerry has a diverse commercial litigation practice, with over a decade of experience handling complex real estate disputes, litigation and regulatory matters for financial service companies and trading firms, and general commercial litigation for other large enterprises.

Kerry has represented building owners, developers, cooperatives and condominiums, commercial tenants, and others in a broad range of real estate disputes, including leasing and contract disputes, joint venture disputes, brokerage disputes, construction litigation, RPAPL 881 proceedings, zoning and licensing issues, and proceedings before municipal regulators.  He has achieved successful outcomes in trial and appellate courts and through out-of-court settlements and mediated negotiations.

Kerry also has experience representing banks, other financial service companies, and trading firms in matters including contract disputes, consumer issues, and regulatory enforcement and compliance.  He has assisted clients in responding to civil investigative demands and subpoenas issued by regulators including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Not-for-Profit and Tax-Exempt Organizations

Kerry also leads the firm’s nonprofit work, regularly advising public charities, private foundations, social welfare organizations, trade associations, and other nonprofits on a broad range of complex operating and dispute-resolution matters.  His experience includes nonprofit formation, corporate governance, international and domestic grantmaking, federal and state regulatory compliance, lobbying and other political law compliance, nonprofit mergers, and asset-sale transactions, among other issues.  Kerry counsels nonprofits in their dealings with the IRS, the New York State Office of the Attorney General, and other regulators, and frequently assists them in the resolution of internal and external disputes.

Director of the Public Service Project

As Pro Bono Director, Kerry administers the firm’s efforts to provide pro bono legal services to underserved populations through partnerships with myriad public interest and community organizations.  Kerry leads cases and provides resources and counsel to attorneys performing pro bono work on a wide range of matters, including education, housing, nonprofit law, family law and domestic violence, small-business support, civil rights litigation, criminal justice, immigration and humanitarian relief, and national disaster relief.  In recent years, he helped create disaster relief initiatives including the Small Business Legal Relief Alliance and the firm’s Refugee Assistance Task Force.

Kerry has a pro bono concentration in special education law, representing children with special education needs to help them secure educational programs, placements, and related services.  He regularly handles impartial due process hearings on behalf of families, and conducts trainings and workshops on special education advocacy for public interest groups, attorneys, educators, service providers, and parents.  Kerry has served on the NYC Bar Association’s Education and the Law Committee, is Co-Chair of the Education Working Group of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA), and does impact work to reform and improve education policy.

Kerry has also helped to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace at Stroock and to combat racism through community engagement and pro bono efforts.  He is a member of Stroock’s Diversity and Inclusion Council and co-runs the firm’s Anti Racist Ideas and Actions (ARIA) program.

Publications

  • "Stroock Pro Bono Head On Firms Confronting Legal Aid Crisis," Law360, June 25, 2021
  • "New York Commercial Landlords Must Prepare to Mitigate Rental Damages," Stroock Client Alert, June 16, 2021
  • "Congress Passes Changes to the Paycheck Protection Program," Stroock Special Bulletin, June 4, 2020

Speeches & Events

  • Speaker, "Countering Attacks on Honest and Inclusive Education: The Legislative and Litigation Landscape and What Comes Next,” NOLEA, October 6, 2022 
  • Speaker, “Special Education Impartial Hearings Training,” NYLPI, April 5, 2022

Memberships

  • Member, The Association of Pro Bono Counsel
  • Member, Association of the Bar of the City of New York
  • Member, Non-Profit Organizations Committee, New York City Bar Association

Honors & Awards

  • PoliticsNY/amNY Metro, Power Players in Corporate Social Responsibility, 2023
  • Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2023-2024
  • City & State New York, The 2022 Responsible 100

Admitted To Practice

New York; Connecticut

U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

Education

J.D., cum laude, University of Maryland, 2009; Member, Maryland Law Review; Member, National Moot Court Team

B.A., magna cum laude, University of Pennsylvania, 2006