At Simmons, Jannace & Stagg, we represent multi-national corporations, Fortune 500 companies, small companies, municipalities and individuals in many diverse practice areas, including commercial and general liability litigation, labor and employment arbitrations and litigation, securities law, bankruptcy and creditors rights, corporate transactions, municipal law, real estate, zoning and land use, and environmental law. Our clients rely upon the firm’s expertise and experience to aggressively protect their interests and vigorously pursue their claims and defenses.

At Simmons, Jannace & Stagg, we always put our clients’ needs first. We are especially proud of our collaboration and partnership with in-house counsel and recognize that there is considerable merit to the age-old adage that “two heads are better than one.”

Some of the firm’s practice areas are described below.

Litigation

Simmons, Jannace & Stagg’s nationally recognized litigation practice remains the most prominent among the firm’s practice areas. Our clients depend on us to leave no stone unturned and to explore all viable options to resolve disputes, including early resolution through arbitration and mediation. We are committed to resolving disputes in a cost-effective manner, but know that preparation and skill lead to the successful trial results we have obtained. Although we are aggressive litigators, our defense strategy is guided by the practical realities of cost versus benefit on a case-by-case basis. We have developed a reputation as a firm that efficiently and effectively protects its clients.

Commercial Litigation - Our commercial practice includes the representation of companies and banks. We have extensive Uniform Commercial Code experience, having litigated UCC issues before New York's highest court. We also represent our clients in credit card litigations, and have broad experience with the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (Truth in Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Electronic Fund Transfer Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act), Reg. Z, and various state consumer credit statutes. In addition, we regularly defend our commercial clients in all manner of contract claims, ranging from simple breach of contract actions to complex factoring disputes.

General Liability Practice - Some of the largest retail companies in the world turn to Simmons, Jannace & Stagg to defend them in cases involving on-site incidents, false arrest and defamation claims. We represent many self-insured companies and work with most of the nation’s third—party administrators. The firm also represents many prominent insurance companies, collaborating with in-house counsel, paralegals and adjusters. Our attorneys have lectured widely before representative organizations such as the International Council of Shopping Centers and regularly travel throughout the country to give seminars on gathering and preservation of evidence and false arrest to our clients and third-party administrators. We recognize that our general liability clients seek cost-effective representation. In this regard, we were one of the first metropolitan firms to utilize the federal removal procedure to both minimize client exposure and expedite case resolution. We are flattered that many other firms now utilize this procedure on behalf of their clients and view this as a testament to our leadership and creativity in this practice area.

Appellate Advocacy - Simmons, Jannace & Stagg regularly represents clients before federal and state appellate courts. Our attorneys have appeared before New York’s highest court, The Court of Appeals, to argue on behalf of our national banking clients. We have a high success rate before appellate tribunals because we recognize that appellate practice is a distinct practice. Because some of our attorneys have clerked at the appellate courts, we are also able to draw upon their unique insight into the appellate process. We have utilized this insight on behalf of our clients.

Labor & Employment

The firm has broad experience with labor and employment matters, having represented clients in court and before administrative agencies, such as the EEOC and New York State Division of Human Rights. We have also provided diversity training and sexual harassment seminars for our clients and have prepared employee handbooks, policies for sexual harassment and drug and alcohol testing, and other types of policies for our clients.

Securities

The firm represents broker dealers in litigation in the New York metropolitan area. We are familiar with customer disputes, broker defalcations, churning, suitability and margin disputes. In addition, one of the firm's partners is a former arbitrator with the National Association of Securities Dealers. The firm regularly appears in NASD arbitrations and disputes. In addition, from time to time we are called on by our broker-dealer clients to represent them in connection with contracts and employment agreements with their employees.

Bankruptcy

Simmons, Jannace & Stagg represents lenders, automobile lessors, landlords and other creditors in the enforcement of their rights and remedies in secured and unsecured transactions in bankruptcy proceedings. We take a proactive approach in resolving debt-related transactions, whether through workouts or litigation. Our attorneys have extensive experience in proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Courts, drawing on their skills in other practice areas, such as commercial litigation, securities and corporate transactions. We prosecute and defend bankruptcy litigation in matters of stay litigation, adequate protection, and adversary proceedings to deny discharge. We also oversee creditors’ rights both in the recovery of claims, and in the defense of preferences and other avoidance actions.

Environmental Law

Simmons, Jannace & Stagg has secured significant environmental victories for our clients. We have represented property owners and civic associations in environmental impact litigation involving the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and New York State’s Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The firm has also represented clients in matters involving spills under New York’s Navigational Law and in various matters involving permitting, compliance, hazardous substances, and due diligence for real estate, corporate and commercial transactions.

Corporate & Real Estate

The firm acts as counsel to business clients and real estate developers in matters involving financing transactions, real estate and general commercial matters. In this area, we have structured a variety of loans and other financing transactions, including real estate and construction loans, asset-based loans, asset securitizations, sale and leaseback transactions. Our firm provides guidance in choosing a business form and has organized corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and other legal entities throughout the U.S., as well as negotiated and prepared joint venture agreements and buy/sell agreements.