Michelle S. Babbitt - Partner
Ms. Babbitt is a well-rounded commercial litigator with more than 25 years at New York City’s preeminent litigation and property management firms. While her extensive experience is diverse, she concentrates on complex cases in New York and New Jersey, as well as general commercial and real estate litigation and arbitration. Ms. Babbitt is well regarded for issue spotting and her practical approach to problem solving. Clients consistently applaud her tenacity, "hands-on" approach, and her ability to expeditiously resolve disputes.
Litigator in complex cases
Whether the case involves real estate, aircraft recovery, contracts, benefits, or other commercial legal issues, Ms. Babbitt diligently approaches all aspects of discovery, motion practice, and settlement. She has tried numerous cases in New York State, Supreme, Civil, and federal courts, including the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. She has argued extensively before the Appellate Divisions in New York. Clients rely on her solid business acumen. In some of her most significant litigation proceedings, she has represented well-known clients—including Toys R Us, the Copacabana night club, and The Lefrak Organization. Ms. Babbitt has represented individuals, many of whom are in the public eye, in disputes running the gamut from aborted business deals to issues with domestic help.
Real estate matters
Within the realm of general commercial litigation, Ms. Babbitt’s practice has concentrated on real estate litigation matters, most notably breach of lease, condo and co-op matters, landlord-tenant issues, and foreclosure (either plaintiff or defendant). In addition, she negotiated and prepared settlement agreements for buyouts and re-locations. The author of the residential housing chapter of The Court TV Cradle-to-Grave Legal Survival Guide (Little Brown, 1995), Ms. Babbitt also served on the publication’s board of editors. She has been a featured speaker on foreclosures and real estate transactions for the New York State Bar Association and other legal community organizations in New York. She has been selected by the court to be a receiver and a referee in pending litigation.
Property management in-house counsel
Ms. Babbitt served as litigation counsel with the property management firm of Tishman Speyer Properties, L.P. There she managed and supervised outside counsel and counseled employees to engage in creative problem solving on a broad range of litigation, transactional and corporate issues that affected day-to-day property management operations. This experience provides Ms. Babbitt with insights of those involved in property operations, including managers, leasing agents, accountants, security officers, landscapers, engineers, and maintenance workers.
Innovative problem solver and manager
Ms. Babbitt is recognized for her ability to manage teams and guide them to develop innovative solutions to thorny legal issues. For most of her career, she has supervised junior legal staff.
Imparting legal knowledge to her peers
A passion for continuing education has led Ms. Babbitt to conduct a lecture series for her peers and to the membership of the New York State Bar Association. Her peers have recognized her legal abilities and adherence to the highest ethical standards with an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.
