Areas of Practice
Abandoned Property Petitions and Litigation, Appellate (Appeals), Attorney Fee Collections, Bankruptcy Practice (Chapters 7, 11 and 13; for both debtor and creditor), Business Formation and Commercial Transactions, Commercial Litigation, Debt Collection and Litigation: Consumer and Commercial, Legal Malpractice Defense, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Attorney Negligence, Personal Injury, Real Estate Transactions, Real Estate Litigation, Wills and Estates.
Background
Richard A. Klass is the quintessential “Court Street lawyer,” as defined by The New York Times, a “street‑smart sharpie with verve, hustle and a striver’s charisma.” Practicing law much like a critical care doctor functions, Klass is the lawyer clients appreciate when the issue is so vital. Practicing primarily in the areas of commercial litigation, debt collection and enforcement of judgments, legal malpractice, and real estate litigation, his firm also represents clients in bankruptcy, civil appeals, and federal court litigation. Mr. Klass lectures and writes extensively for lawyers and industry professionals.
Mr. Klass served as President of the Brooklyn Bar Association (2022); Member of the Grievance Committee for the Appellate Division, Second Department (2015-2022); Former Chair of the General Practice Section of the New York State Bar Association; Co-Editor of the New York State Bar Association’s General Practice Section One on One Publication; and currently serves as an Arbitrator, Small Claims Part of the Civil Court of the City of New York, County of Kings, and as a Fee Dispute Arbitrator in the Part 137 Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Program. He has been selected for the New York SuperLawyers List.
In 1989, Mr. Klass received his Bachelor of Arts at Hofstra University and his Juris Doctorate at New York Law School in 1992. He was the Recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Conflict of Laws. Mr. Klass was admitted to the following jurisdictions: State of New York (1992); U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (1992); U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (1992); U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey (1993); U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit (1999); and the U.S. Supreme Court (1997).
Richard A. Klass has been a formative voice within New York law circles both for the high standards of his work as well as his extensive writings, lectures, and appearances in the media. He reaches an audience of lawyers and non-lawyers equally through publications which include his website, CourtStreetLaw.com, his quarterly newsletter, Law Currents and his blogs, Law Currents and The Legal Malpractice Blog. His books include Surplus Moneys Proceedings under RPAPL 1361 (2021); Hug of War instead of Tug of War: RPAPL 993 (2020); A Man’s Home is (Not Always) his castle: RPAPL 881 (2019); I Got Bloomed: Keeping Client Confidences and Loyalties (2018); Killing the “Zombies”: Recent Changes to New York State’s Foreclosure Laws (2017); Attorney’s Liens and Legal Fee Enforcement (2015); Retention and Withdrawal of Counsel: a guide for attorneys (2015); and Successfully Defending Your Credit Card Lawsuit (2013).
His blog, Law Currents, with over 160,000 readers, and his Law Currents newsletter are particularly popular. Written in a style that appeals to nearly anyone who likes a good story, the illustrated quarterly newsletter features entertaining and informative case studies written in plain English.
Richard A. Klass received the New York State Bar Association’s 2018 General Practice Section Award.
Super Lawyers: Richard A. Klass has been consistently selected for the New York Metro Super Lawyers List every year since 2015.
