Practice Areas

Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP’s real estate group provides counsel to institutional and other lenders in residential mortgage financing and refinancing transactions. There are few Long Island firms that can match the expertise, resources, and commitment to detail of the Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP team. Our real estate practice group assists lenders in nearly every facet of the financing and refinancing process. The Firm’s excellent results in this area have resulted in our real estate department handling as many as forty (40) closings per week for a variety of institutional lenders. In addition, Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis represents buyers and sellers in the purchase and sale of all types of real estate, including commercial and residential. We work with real estate brokers to ensure that the purchase and sale transaction is successful and smooth and transparent.

At Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP, real estate group also provides comprehensive legal representation in other aspects of real estate law, such as land use, planning, and zoning. We represent sellers and purchasers regarding the acquisition and sale of industrial, commercial, retail, multi-family, residential and office properties. The Firm represents clients in the acquisition, construction and mortgage financing phases. We regularly represent and advise owners, developers, contractors, businesses, and institutions and other interested parties regarding land use issues, obtaining zoning approvals, processing site plans and subdivision applications, and the intricacies of environmental regulations such as SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act). We assist owners and developers in drafting and negotiating construction contracts and related issues. The Firm routinely represents commercial and residential property owners and tenants in connection with the traditional and complex lease transactions, and landlord/tenant litigation. Another growth area in which the Firm’s attorneys have developed significant expertise is the creation and development of privately sponsored, government financed housing projects in communities throughout Long Island.

Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP represents a number of cooperative corporations, providing advice on unit transfers, security instrument issues involving the Uniform Commercial Code, and Board governance matters. The Firm’s practice in this area includes legal representation on new cooperative filings with the New York State Attorney General’s Office. The firm has extensive experience in New York Cooperative and Condominium practice. We represent several Cooperatives and Condominiums in the Long Island area. In so doing, we advise Board of Directors and Board of Managers regarding all aspects of corporate operations. In addition, we provide closing assistance, collections, and representation in lawsuits as well. We are available to these clients 24/7 based upon the particular needs of the client.

Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP has developed a substantial municipal law practice. Our lawyers serve as Village Attorney for the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park, the Village of Roslyn Harbor, and the Incorporated Village of Farmingdale. We are special counsel for all Villages handling litigation. In addition, we are Zoning Board Counsel and Litigation Counsel for the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park, Village of Malverne, the Village of Roslyn Harbor, and the Village of Farmingdale. We act as special counsel to a variety of municipal boards in other communities, offering advice on administrative, labor, zoning, labor/personnel, real estate, tax certiorari and other legal matters. In addition, the Firm has also been retained by Towns and Villages as special counsel to assist in the preparation and drafting of master land use plans and zoning ordinances. In fact, our attorneys have drafted the Zoning Codes for several Long Island municipalities.

Many clients come to Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP after they have been injured in an accident. Others come to us after they have been injured by a defective product or because of medical malpractice of a doctor. These unfortunate events result in pain and suffering, not only to the physically injured person but also that person’s family. More often than not these unfortunate events prevent our clients from returning to work. Our attorneys have compassion for these injuries and understand the emotional physical and economic injuries and we have the extensive, sensitivity, knowledge and experience necessary to handle them. The Firm is also appointed by a number of insurance carriers to represent their insured in a variety of litigation areas. Our great wealth of experience defending these clients gives us great insight into these matters and allows us to successfully prosecute personal injury matters for seriously injured clients.

Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP’s insurance defense practice has been defending clients for nearly 40 years.  The firm and its attorneys have earned a reputation for zealous but prudent advocacy at the state and federal levels.  Our attorneys evaluate cases early in the litigation process and uphold the firm’s commitment to obtaining the most successful results, while minimizing litigations costs.  Our insurance defense clients and insurance carrier partners benefit from our experience in resolving matters prior to reaching the courtroom through negotiation, mediation, facilitation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings.  When claims cannot be resolved early, our clients also benefit from our attorneys’ trial and appellate experience.   Simply put, our insurance litigation team combines many decades of experience which has led to countless successful results for the clients we have represented on behalf of our insurance carrier partners in the following matters: Premises Liability Liquor Liability Professional errors and omissions Defamation and Slader General liability and Casualty Fair Housing Discrimination Municipal Liability Personal injury and wrongful death Motor vehicle accidents Insurance Coverage Disputes Excess Coverage

Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP has a detailed understanding of the litigation process and we use that insight to help our clients evaluate their options, consider creative solutions and achieve their goals through zealous representation at all stages of the litigation process. Our extensive experience permits us to provide our clients with a true risk/reward analysis so that no unnecessary fees are incurred at any stage of the litigation. Our lawyers are experienced in arbitration, mediation, and other types of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and can help clients evaluate the full range of available options for resolving disputes. We litigate a wide array of cases including estate claims, land use, zoning, and real property issues.

Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP represents corporations, LLCs, partnerships, nonprofit organizations, and owners to help meet their unique business goals. When a business dispute arises, our commercial litigation team is trusted to come up with creative solutions and litigate effectively when necessary. Throughout the process, we counsel our clients on on the advantages, risks, and finances of a dispute to help our clients make the best business decision for them. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling business valuation disputes and forensic accounting. The Firm has successfully litigated routine and complex business matters involving contract disputes, business breakups, fraud, and other business disputes in both Federal and State Court.

Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP helps our clients start businesses, grow businesses, and protect businesses through drafting and negotiating governance documents, contracts, assets acquisitions, and buyouts.

Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP has attorneys and staff who assist our clients with estate planning by providing guidance on what is needed to protect them and their assets. Our team tailors each estate plan to meet the particular needs of each client. Whether it is a will, trust, health care proxy, power of attorney, or business succession plan, Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP is here to help you navigate the legal and tax complexities of estate planning. Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP also assists clients with administering estates and trusts. The Firm guides executors, trustees, and beneficiaries on what is needed to fulfill a deceased loved one’s testamentary plan by filing documents and communicating with the Surrogate’s Court. When a deceased loved one’s plan is not followed, assets need to be valued, or disputes cannot be resolved, the Firm has extensive experience in estates and trusts litigation in Surrogates Courts in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and New York City.

Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP regularly briefs and argues cases in the State and Federal Appellate Court systems. We believe that understanding and isolating the strengths and weaknesses in a lower court decision provides the avenue for a successful appeal. Navigating the appeals process can be difficult and precise. Our attorneys are here to help decide if an appeal is the right path for you.

Walsh Markus McDougal & DeBellis LLP assist in initial filings for exemptions, applications through the State Legislature for refunds and annual filings to maintain a non-profits real estate benefits. In addition, as part of our municipal team, we represent municipalities in tax challenges.