I have been practicing law for over 25 years, representing individuals and small business owners in New York City and Long Island, with the legal issues that arise in their everyday business or personal life. For business owners, I act as a general business advisor, help form new businesses, review and negotiate contracts, including operating agreements, vendor agreements, independent contractor agreements, and commercial leases. I also teach clients how to avoid disputes by showing them what to do to ensure that they get paid at the end of a deal, how to protect themselves against liability and how to operate their businesses efficiently. In the event a dispute does arise, I work with business partners to assist them in resolving disputes among themselves or with companies they do business with, including representing companies in litigation against customers for unpaid bills or breached agreements. In addition, I have experience with other types of litigation, including construction and real estate contract litigation. I started my firm, the Law Office of Michael A. Kofsky, PLLC, in November 2008, after having worked at law firms both large and small in New York City. At Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom, LLP, I gained experience working with businesses, reviewing and analyzing business and real estate contracts and operating agreements to identify potential liabilities and compliance issues, and help manage risk. I also examined organizational structures and operating revenues and worked on joint ventures and other transactions. After leaving Skadden, I worked at several small boutique law firms at which I gained experience interacting with clients on a personal level in order to fully understand their needs and accomplish their goals. Thereafter, I took the best parts of my Manhattan experience and created my own firm to be closer to my family and to give back to the Long Island community. I am a lifelong New Yorker, born and raised in Manhattan and now living on Long Island. I graduated with honors from Brooklyn Law School and Boston University. I am an avid sports fan and am devoted to my family, including my two young daughters.

Howard Chetkof is partner at Levin & Chetkof, LLP. He is a seasoned attorney and a highly skilled negotiator concentrating his practice in personal injury. He has represented clients who have sustained all types of serious personal injuries as the result of automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, pedestrians struck by motor vehicles, wrongful death, construction site accidents, premises liability, trip/slip and falls, dog bites, assault and battery, nursing home negligence, and certain medical malpractice matters. Mr. Chetkof’s representation of injured individuals has extended to both the state and federal courts. In addition, Mr. Chetkof handles matters involving legal malpractice, no-fault/first-party benefit arbitrations, and real estate. Mr. Chetkof and the firm handle their cases from inception to conclusion, including the claims stage, litigation, trials, and appeals. He has also directly negotiated and handled hundreds of cases at mediations and arbitrations and has recovered millions of dollars for his clients. Not only does he represent his firm's clients, but Mr. Chetkof has also been retained as outside counsel, by other law firms, to represent their clients' interests at mediations, arbitrations, trials, and appeals. Mr. Chetkof believes that every client has the right to talk directly to their attorney, not just the office staff, and has an open-door policy for the firm’s active clients, former clients, and prospective clients.