Peter Meisels is a seasoned civil trial lawyer whose practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and defense of municipal liability claims including police, public officials, civil rights, and employment liability cases, as well as civil racketeering matters, in New York federal, state and appellate courts.
Peter’s commercial litigation practice includes contract disputes, declaratory judgment actions, commercial and residential foreclosures, defense of civil RICO claims, defense of professional malpractice cases, litigation of real estate title and lien priority issues, construction disputes including extra work and delay claims and contested brokerage commission claims, as well as matters relating to the enforceability of covenants not to compete.
Municipal clients have come to rely on Peter’s experience and background to present the best possible defense in the face of claims of wrongful conviction, excessive force, malicious prosecution, false arrest, false imprisonment, negligent supervision and training, premises liability, RICO and other high-stakes claims against municipalities, public employees and officials. He also defends traditional claims such as negligent design and maintenance of roads and sewers, negligent issuance of building permits and inspection, liability for negligent drainage design resulting in flooding, as well as civil rights matters predicated on land use issues such as unconstitutional taking and claims of unconstitutional discrimination.
Peter began his legal career defending major felony cases. After 13 years as a criminal defense attorney, he was appointed Chief Deputy County Attorney for Westchester County, NY. During his tenure with the County Attorney’s Office, Peter was instrumental in establishing the county’s self-insurance program and was responsible for supervision of all litigation to which the county was a party.
Representative Matters
Successfully defended an engineering firm and its officers that handled 2,300 Hurricane Sandy claims against numerous civil Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization class action lawsuits brought by homeowners against their insurers and other defendants alleging underpayment of claims.
Won summary judgment for a municipal client in which a 75-year-old municipal sewer agreement was declared to violate the New York State Constitution on the grounds that it shifted the tax burdens from the citizens of one community to another and was, hence, ultra vires.
Secured successful resolutions of contested title and mortgage priority actions for commercial and residential clients.
Secured dismissal of challenges under the state constitution to municipally imposed user fees on the grounds that the fees constituted unauthorized taxation.
Successfully defended challenges to an adopted municipal budget on the grounds that it violated a New York State imposed tax cap.
Prevailed in a declaratory judgement action based on a dispute over whether a property owner was an additional named insured under a general contractor’s liability policy in a New York Labor Law personal injury action.
Won dismissal, affirmed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, of a claim that the refusal to fly a particular flag on public property violates the First Amendment.
Won summary judgment for a co-op board of a high profile New York City residential property largely occupied by persons associated with the United Nations dismissing a claim that it discriminated against one of its occupants on the grounds of disability.
Obtained a defense verdict in a federal civil rights action based on the police shooting of a decedent in self defense.
Secured summary judgment in five class actions based on a decision to modify health care benefits for retirees, some of which were covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Successfully resolved a murder and rape wrongful conviction case where the plaintiff served 16 years before being released from prison.
Prevailed on summary judgment motions dismissing claims of racial discrimination and retaliation in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act and the First Amendment.