Attorneys

Eliot J. Cherson is a Senior and Founding Partner of Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Mr. Cherson has been engaged in active practice specializing in real estate litigation in the Housing Court, Civil Court, Supreme Court, and Federal and Bankruptcy courts throughout the New York metropolitan area. Eliot has served on the Civil Court, Housing Court and Select Committee on Court Reorganization of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He is also a member of the New York State and Queens County Bar Associations. Since 1991, Eliot has been Legal Counsel to the Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors Inc., the largest trade organization in the Bronx. In 1995, he was awarded the Board’s “Affiliate Member of the Year Award” for distinguished service and was also awarded the President’s Award in 2011. Since 2002, Eliot has served as an Owner member of the Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board which establishes rent increases for rent regulated housing in Westchester. Mr. Cherson graduated from Hofstra University School of Law and is admitted to practice in New York, United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts and the United States Supreme Court.

Michael C. Rosenthal is a Senior and Founding Partner at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Mr. Rosenthal has been practicing law since 1982 specializing in Landlord-Tenant related issues and general litigation. He has appeared regularly in Brooklyn and Staten Island Housing Court as well as having made appearances in the Queens, New York and Bronx Housing Court. He has handled matters in the Supreme and Federal Court systems. He currently supervises, to varying degrees, all of the attorneys in the office. Michael graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Arts and received his Juris Doctorate from the State University Of New York at Buffalo Law School. Mr. Rosenthal has been President of the Kings County Housing Court Bar Associations since 2000 and previously was a member of the Practitioner’s Committee set up by then Supervising Judge Richard Rivera. He has organized and lectured at Continuing Legal Education programs for three different counties Bar Associations, as well as running classes for Civil Court judges to instruct them about Landlord-Tenant Law. He is presently the Brooklyn Representative on a committee with Citywide Supervising Civil Court Judge Anthony Cannataro and Citywide Supervising Judge Of The Housing Court Jean Schneider. Michael is admitted to the New York State Bar, Eastern and Southern District of New York of the Federal Court, and the United States Supreme Court.

Michael A. Steiner is a Partner at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Mr. Steiner appears regularly in the Residential and Commercial Parts in New York and Bronx County. In addition, Michael has appeared in Federal Court handling Bankruptcy matters pertaining to commercial leases and Administrative Courts. Michael graduated cum laude from SUNY Albany in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and received a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. Mr. Steiner is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York and the Southern District Court.

Robert I. Miller is a Partner at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Mr. Miller appears regularly in the Queens, Harlem, Nassau and Suffolk County Courts handling both residential and commercial Landlord-Tenant cases. Robert graduated from the State University at Albany in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in business administration. Further, Mr. Miller graduated from the University of Bridgeport School of Law n/k/a Quinnipiac University School of Law in 1984 with a Juris Doctorate. Mr. Miller is admitted to the Bars of the State of New York and Connecticut as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Miller is an active member of the Queens, Nassau and Suffolk County Bar Associations as well as CHIP and the BMNAR.

Kerry S. Glasgold is a Partner at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Mr. Glasgold began working at the firm in late 2000 and became a Partner of the firm in 2009. Mr. Glasgold manages the firm’s Residential Real Estate Department, representing the firm’s banking clients in purchase and refinance closings of all classes of residential real property, including condominiums and cooperatives.  In addition, Mr. Glasgold represents clients purchasing and selling real property, advising them on contracts, title issues and all other matters relating to residential real estate transactions. Mr. Glasgold graduated cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo and received a Juris Doctorate from The George Washington University. Mr. Glasgold is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York.

Gregory T. Smith is a Partner at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Smith has 20 years of experience in handling Landlord-Tenant cases involving residential and commercial real estate throughout the five boroughs of the City of New York and Westchester County. Mr. Smith graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Science and received a Juris Doctorate from SUNY- University at Buffalo Law School. Greg is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, and is an active member of the Kings County Housing Bar Association and is a former Board Member of Bedford-Stuyvesant Community Legal Services.

Howard Levine is a Partner and manages the Litigation Department for Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Howard appears in the Supreme Court, Appellate Divisions, Federal Courts and New York State Agencies on a wide variety of matters. Mr. Levine graduated summa cum laude from the New York Institute of Technology with a degree in Behavioral Sciences and received a Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School and where he was an Amjur Award recipient. Howard is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York and is a member of the Queens County Bar Association.

Haleh Ahdout is a Partner of Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Ms. Ahdout appears and litigates regularly in the Residential and Commercial Parts of New York City Civil Courts, and has appeared in Nassau and Suffolk County Courts handling multi-faceted residential and commercial holdover and nonpayment proceedings involving various legal issues. Ms. Ahdout has been with the firm for the past 15 years and has focused her practice in New York County. Ms. Ahdout graduated cum laude from Long Island University, C.W. Post with a Bachelor of Arts, having double majored in Political Science and Psychology, and received a Juris Doctorate from Touro Law School where she regularly competed in the Trial Advocacy Group. Ms. Ahdout is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York and is a member of the Iranian American Bar Association.

Marianne Nunziata is a Partner of Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. and has been with the firm since 2006. Ms. Nunziata manages the firm’s Commercial Real Estate Department representing lending institutions in commercial matters, as well as sellers and purchasers of all classes of commercial real estate. Ms. Nunziata also negotiates and drafts leases for offices, restaurants and other retail establishments for commercial clients, as well as construction, management and service agreements. In addition, Ms. Nunziata represents both condominium and cooperative associations in connection with their unit closings and advises them on any ancillary matters pertaining to the operation of the associations. Ms. Nunziata graduated cum laude from New York University College of Arts and Science with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and received a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law. Ms. Nunziata is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York and the Bar of the State of New Jersey.

Heath Tygar is a Partner at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Mr. Tygar has over twenty years experience representing landlords from inception through trial in both residential and commercial landlord tenant proceedings. He has litigated in all boroughs of New York City and the surrounding Counties of Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk. Additionally, Mr. Tygar has litigated matters before New York City’s Administrative Courts with the ECB, DOB, NYFD and DHCR. Heath prides himself on the open flow of communication to better understand the client’s requirements and needs in endeavoring to reach a favorable resolution while still zealously advocating on the client’s behalf. Mr. Tygar graduated from the State University of New York at Albany with a Bachelor of Arts and received his Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School. He is admitted to the Bars of the States of New York, New Jersey and Florida.

Blake Abrash is an Associate at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C.  Mr. Abrash has over a decade of experience handing residential and commercial landlord-tenant proceedings, real estate transactions and litigation, and representation of residential housing cooperatives and condominiums.  He has litigated and tried summary proceedings in the Housing and Commercial landlord-tenant parts of the Civil Court of the City of New York, DHCR, and before the Supreme Court of the State of New York.  Mr. Abrash has successfully argued appeals before the Appellate Division and the Appellate Term.  Mr. Abrash earned a Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis in 2006 and a Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York in 2009.  He is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York.

Ivy Alexander has been a practicing attorney for over 20 years.  She began her career in a small general practice firm on Long Island where she managed real estate transaction, appeared in landlord and tenant court representing tenants during all phases of landlord and tenant proceedings and representing debtors during all phases of both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings.  From there she took a job with a New York City firm representing tenants throughout all phases of landlord and tenant proceedings as well as representing tenants throughout all phases of landlord and tenant proceedings as well as administrative proceedings.  From there she moved to a real estate management firm where she represented landlords in landlord and tenant court and then to her present employment with Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. where she represents landlords during all phases of landlord and tenant litigation from inception to trial within the counties of Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan.  Ms. Alexander graduated from SUNY Binghamton with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology.  Thereafter, she received her juris doctorate from Morris A. Dean School of Law.

Erica Kass is an Associate at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C.  Ms. Kass appears regularly in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Nassau County Courts handling both residential and commercial Landlord-Tenant cases.  Ms. Kass has also appeared before the ECB, NYFB and the Humans Rights Commission.  Ms. Kass graduated from SUNY University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a joint major of Political Science and Psychology.  Ms. Kass received a Juris Doctorate from Touro Law School and is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York.

Harrison B. Feldman is an Associate at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C.  Mr. Feldman started his law career by handling Landlord-Tenant cases involving residential and commercial real estate in Kings County and in now currently handling cases throughout the five boroughs of the City of New York and Westchester County.  Mr. Feldman graduated from Queens College with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and received a Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University School of Law.  Harrison is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York, State of New Jersey, and the State of Pennsylvania.

Eugenia Davis is an associate at Hertz Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Ms Davis appears regularly in the Bronx primarily on residential Landlord-Tenant cases, and has previously practiced in multiple forums and in every borough. Ms. Davis graduated from Cornell University and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, has been an attorney for over 30 years, and recently recommenced full-time practice in the landlord-tenant field.

Ms. Djonovic is an Associate at Hertz Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C.  She began her career representing clients in residential and commercial landlord-tenant matters in Westchester County.  Ms. Djonovic currently concentrates her practice on landlord-tenant and general civil litigation proceedings.  Ms. Djonovic regularly appears in the Supreme Courts and Civil Courts throughout the five boroughs of New York City and Westchester County, including both residential and commercial housing parts.  Ms. Djonovic received her Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, and graduated cum laude from Western Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science in Justice and Law Administration.  Ms. Djonovic is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York and is currently a member of the New York State and Westchester County Bar Associations.

Raj Gajadar is an Associate at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. He represents landlords and property owners in residential and commercial matters throughout New York City, handling cases from inception through trial. With more than a decade of litigation experience, Raj has also tried cases in Family Court and conducted hearings before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) on behalf of several NYC Agencies, as well as litigated cases, including commercial disputes and personal injury matters, in New York State Supreme Court. He also previously served as in-house counsel. Raj graduated magna cum laude from Pace Law School in 2013, where he served as an Executive Editor of the Pace Law Review. He is admitted to practice in the State of New York.

Eli Damatov is an Associate at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. Eli started his law career by primarily litigating before New York City’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings for over five years. Eli currently appears in the Supreme Court, New York State Agencies, Residential and Commercial Parts of New York City Civil Courts, and OATH. Eli received a Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School and his Bachelor of Sciences from Boston University. Eli is admitted to the Bar of New York.

Stanislav Khaldarov is an associate at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. He appears regularly in Bronx County Housing Court and handles mostly residential Landlord – Tenant cases.  Stanislav is a licensed real estate broker and has worked extensively with Section 8 and other NYC rental subsidy programs.  Stanislav graduated from St. John's University with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree majoring in philosophy and psychology.  Stanislav received his Juris Doctorate from Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center and is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.

Steven M. Hertz was a Senior and Founding Partner at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. and is now of counsel to the firm.  Mr. Hertz has been practicing law since 1979 specializing in Landlord-Tenant related issues and general litigation. He has appeared throughout the various Courts in New York City and the surrounding boroughs both in State and Federal jurisdictions. Steve graduated from the State University College at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Arts and received a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. Mr. Hertz is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York, admitted to the Southern and Eastern District Federal Courts and is admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Hertz is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Bronx Bar Association where he is a long standing member of the Judiciary Committee.

Stafford Liss is of counsel at Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal.  Stafford has been a member of Blay & Liss, Esqs. since 1988 and has been engaged in the general practice of law with a concentration in the areas of landlord & tenant, real estate transactions, estates, personal injury and general litigation. He has joined the firm as a partner working with the Supreme Court Litigation and Real Estate Departments. He is admitted in New York and in the Federal District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts. He also is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Stafford attended Stuyvesant High School, Brooklyn College and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He spent more than seven years as an attorney for the New York City Council, assigned to the Committees on Education and Consumer Affairs. In that position, he advised and counselled Members of the Council and consulted with them with respect to laws that affected many aspects of the lives of the citizens of New York City. He has been the attorney for the New Springville Jewish Center of Staten Island, is vice-president and counsel of the Mid-Island Political Action Committee, has been a candidate for the NYS Assembly, has served as a court-appointed foreclosure referee and has acted as a New York City Civil Court Small Claims arbitrator.

Jeffrey M. Steinitz is of counsel emeritus to the Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C. having relinquished management of the firm’s Litigation Department to Howard Levine in 2015. Jeffrey has been with the firm in various capacities for 22 years. Jeffrey is an experienced litigator, specializing in commercial and real estate litigation, appellate practice and trial practice. He has practiced before all Federal and State Courts, as well as administrative tribunals and arbitration panels. Notable matters include Women’s Art Center v. Clinton Housing Development Fund Corp., which was litigated for ten years with published decisions in the Supreme Court and Appellate Division. In that case the Appellate Division, First Department set the standard for determining whether an agreement is a net lease or a management agreement. Jeffrey graduated from Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio with an Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science and holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Buffalo Law School. He is also a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Steinitz is admitted to the bars of the State of New York, Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court of New York, Southern and Eastern Districts. He is a member of the American Bar Association.

Georgia Papazis is of counsel to Hertz, Cherson & Rosenthal, P.C.  Mrs. Papazis’ fields of practice include landlord/tenant matters, general litigation and foreclosure litigation, including mortgage and condominium foreclosure actions and cooperative auctions. Georgia makes regular appearances in New York State Supreme Court and has appeared extensively in the residential and commercial parts of New York City Civil Court. Mrs. Papazis graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science and received a Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School of Union University. She is admitted to the Bar of New York.