Our Attorneys

Ira J. Lipton, a partner of the firm, has been litigating cases in federal and state courts for 25 years and has successfully argued appeals at the New York Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. 

Mr. Lipton joined the firm in 2001.  His practice is focused on commercial litigation, employment, and the representation of public agencies.  Mr. Lipton successfully represented a group of more than two dozen investors in a law suit brought against the manager of a failed land development company, and obtained a judgment forcing the company to return their entire $13 million investment.  Mr. Lipton has also represented the firm’s clients in many complex commercial and employment contract matters including disputes involving the uniform commercial code, licensing agreements, use of trademarks and trade names, unfair competition, and non-solicitation and non-compete agreements.  Mr. Lipton has also represented employers in litigation arising under federal and state anti-discrimination and retaliation laws, and he has represented many public agencies and officials in the areas of civil rights, the First Amendment, labor and employment, and proceedings challenging governmental policies.  

Prior to joining HNRK, Mr. Lipton served as a Senior Counsel for litigation for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the New York City Law Department, where he was Assistant Chief in the General Litigation Division.  During his tenure in public service, Mr. Lipton successfully argued Westinghouse v. New York City Transit Authority, 82 N.Y.2d 47 (1993), which resulted in a landmark decision upholding the alternative dispute resolution procedure contained in the MTA’s construction contracts.  Mr. Lipton also successfully argued Rogers v. New York City Transit Authority, 87 N.Y.2d 692 (1997), a leading First Amendment case where the Court established parameters for speech activities in public transportation facilities.

Since 1994, Mr. Lipton has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School, teaching a seminar on pretrial litigation and the discovery process.  He is the author of  “The Effects of Westinghouse on Construction Industry Suits,” New York Law Journal, p. 1, col. 1, December 10, 1993; and The Dependable Bank v. Aldrich: Case File (National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 2004).