Khalifeh & Strupinsky, P.C.

We will propose a flat fee for most standard transactions after the initial free consultation. It’s that simple!

First we want to make sure that our clients know they’re speaking with a real human attorney — myself or my partner. As the managing partner in the firm I try to speak with our clients directly to initiate contact; I even pick up incoming calls!! For efficiency, I may ask our awesome staff to make email contact with you to schedule a phone or Zoom conversation at a mutually convenient time. I believe that there must be some initial free consultation and discussion, and then we figure out if there is something you need to hire us for (that’s not always the outcome), and then I explain the costs and the process, and then only if we decide to work together we will send an agreement and a payment link.

I’ve been practicing law for 20 years, starting with criminal defense, which makes me very comfortable in courtrooms and with people, but then switching to intellectual property litigation prior to going into private practice with a broader focus. My personal interests have always been in literature and publishing, music, as well as visual arts and Broadway — this explains my interest in intelectual property law. I do a fair amount of copyright, law, consulting, explaining in registry, trademarks, and even some music industry deals. Who else can really say they have been featured in a rap song by their client ?! (Eugene rhymes with dream) This practice has evolved into working with small businesses and medical practices on various commercial issues. My partner Nick Khalifeh focuses on real estate transactions, commercial and residential, as well as estate planning, by working with families on securing they assets by setting up trusts and writing wills. Nick also handles probate (estate administration applications) throughout New York City.

Nick has always practiced in real estate in estate planning. Eugene started out in criminal defense, moving to private practice in intellectual property and other federal litigations.

People buy and sell real estate all the time. In New York, you must have an attorney. We handle your matter personally from the offer to the closing, and in the middle of that we’re always available to guide you through the contract, the appraisal, the loan, etc. Small businesses or any business that enters into a commercial lease should have an attorney review and explain it, and perhaps negotiate with the other side — issues come up all the time, especially pertaining to personal guarantees and buried tax increases. If you own property and/or have children, you should have a will. It will should state your wishes for the distribution of your assets and for the guardianship of your children. We can prepare healthcare proxies (a living will), powers of attorney, and other documents you may need. You should also consider putting your assets in a trust. Speak with your CPA about future and current tax benefits, as well as understand that assets held in a trust avoid the courts and the probate process upon individuals’ passing. Every public-facing business should consider having a registered trademark. Our firm has obtained trademarks for: a barber school, a plastic surgery clinic, a telemarketing company, fashion designers, CBD businesses, a diagnostic laboratory, urgent care clinics, music producers, medical procedures, sports equipment, restaurants, specialty drinks, and, of course, for ourselves! On the copyright side, we have worked with artists and authors on publishing contacts and managing fair use, with music industry professionals on licensing and record deals, and with computer software companies on registration and enforcement.

I like consulting artists and authors, especially talking to people who have never spoken to an intellectual property attorney. Just discussing the differences between copyrights, patents, and trademarks clarifies a lot of questions for people and tells them what they should be concerned with. It’s never all of those things at once!

Please understand that good legal services cost money, but that is a part of your business which is mean to save you money and hassle in the long run. We are a (perhaps tax deductible — consult your CPA) business expense, but an important one! We will try to save you money: mainly by not wasting it on unnecessary fighting and by working to minimize the risk of lawsuits. Along these lines, we hope that you develop a trusting relationship with your attorney that is meant to be long-term. The type of legal services that we believe a small business or a startup should be concerned with (initially) are meant to limit your risks, eliminate surprises, and provide you with the necessary documentation and agreements (for example: shareholder agreements, contractor agreements, employee manuals, real estate leases, intellectual property protection) to be compliant with laws and to avoid common pitfalls. One example: without a proper consultation it is very easy to make simple, but costly, mistakes when it comes to hiring (and firing) employees.

If you’re looking into trademarks, think of that word (TM) as your BRAND. Trademark law is consumer oriented, it’s not to help you as the owner, it technically exists to keep the public informed as to the source of the good and products they’re purchasing. So, for example, the designs you use on your clothing line are not your TM, your brand is. Nike and many designers make this point confusing because it THEY put their trademark on the clothing. That only works for major companies with “famous marks.” But your BRAND is how you identify your company. You need to have a separate license or a form of ownership (unless you did it yourself) for your designs. And then think about when you first started using your brand, where are you use it, how people relate to it, is there any confusion with anyone else’s brand: you should be worried about infringing on someone else’s brand, as well as protecting your own!