Attorney Profiles

MAGDA L. CRUZ has been associated with the firm since 1989, becoming a partner in 1993.

Ms. Cruz specializes in appeals and complex litigation matters. She has briefed and argued appeals before New York State and Federal appellate courts involving constitutional law, property rights, commercial law, loft law, cooperative and condominium law, tax incentive law, administrative law, landlord-tenant law, mortgage foreclosure law and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act. Her major appellate victories on behalf of owners include owner-occupancy, succession rights, non-primary residence, lease rights, attorneys' fees, and rent overcharge cases. Ms. Cruz also successfully obtained one of the largest Rule 130 sanctions award that the Court of Appeals has ever imposed against a party and its attorney for frivolous litigation.

Ms. Cruz is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to joining the firm, she held positions with the New York County District Attorney's Office, The Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in Miami, Florida, and Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., in New York. In addition, Ms. Cruz has served on the Board of Directors of two cooperative apartment corporations in Brooklyn, New York.

Ms. Cruz is a member of the Housing Court Advisory Council, and Women in Housing and Finance.