Two Lawyers Walk Into A Bar

On this episode of Two Lawyers Walk Into a Bar, Brad Pollina sits down with Eric Pitter, founder of Pitter Law, PLLC, for a candid conversation about real estate litigation, the realities of practicing law in New York, and the lessons that come with nearly two decades in the courtroom.Eric reflects on his experience representing both landlords and tenants in residential and commercial disputes, explaining how practicing on opposite sides of the same issues has shaped his approach to litigation. From challenging service and navigating eviction proceedings to representing business owners facing the loss of their commercial spaces, he discusses the technical complexities of landlord-tenant law and why understanding both perspectives can be an advantage.Brad and Eric also explore the unpredictable nature of litigation, including the cases that don't go according to plan, the importance of preparation and courtroom composure, and why effective advocacy often means knowing when to stop pushing and let the facts speak for themselves. They share their experiences navigating judicial delays, managing client expectations, and balancing zealous representation with the practical realities of the legal system.Along the way, Eric discusses his unexpected path to solo practice, the mentors who shaped his career, and why taking risks, learning from experience, and developing confidence in the courtroom have been essential to his growth as an attorney.To learn more about Eric Pitter and Pitter Law, PLLC, visit pitterlaw.com.To learn more about Brad and Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit the firm online at bflawoffice.com.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Two Lawyers Walk Into a Bar, Bradley Pollina sat down with Edward Hept, a commercial litigator and head of the aviation litigation practice at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, to discuss how a general commercial litigation career evolved into a highly specialized practice involving aircraft, engines, international treaties, and cross-border disputes.From lessor-lessee disputes and repair issues to repossession of airframes and engines, Edward broke down what aviation litigation actually looks like. He also discussed the case that became a turning point in his career: an emergency application following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine involving three leased aircraft, the Cape Town Convention, and a plane stranded on a tarmac in Hong Kong.In this episode, Brad and Edward spoke about finding a legal niche, building an industry-specific practice, developing a professional network, and why the economics of aviation often come down to the engines rather than the aircraft themselves.To learn more about Edward Hept and the aviation practice at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, visit https://www.sgrlaw.com/attorneys/heppt-edward/ To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Two Lawyers Walk Into A Bar, Bradley Pollina is joined by David Kupfer, a Partner in the Trial and Global Disputes practice at King & Spalding, They discuss how meaningful work often comes after years of conversations, follow-ups, and strategic thinking, as well as the balance between offering value upfront and setting boundaries. It’s an honest look at the long game behind building a practice—and why trust is the foundation of it all.Building a successful legal practice isn’t just about expertise—it’s about patience, consistency, and trust. In this episode, Brad Pollina sits down with David Kupfer to explore the realities of business development in the legal industry, from nurturing relationships over time to knowing when to invest in a potential client.If you love law, real estate, or New York City, then this is an episode for you!To find out more about David and his practice, visit: https://www.kslaw.com/people/david-kupfer. To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of 2 Lawyers Walk Into A Bar, Bradley Pollina is joined by Joshua Wurtzel, Partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan LLP. Joshua is known for his sharp courtroom instincts and creative approach to complex commercial and real estate litigation. From his early days clerking for Judge Kiyo Matsumoto to becoming a partner at one of New York’s premier boutique firms, Joshua shares how he built his practice, his thoughts on business development outside Big Law, and how fatherhood reshaped his view of the legal world.If you’re interested in the small law vs. big law debate, or deep dives into construction litigation, then this podcast is for you!You can find Joshua Wurtzel at https://www.schlamstone.com/people/joshua-wurtzel. To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode talks to his long-time friend and Democratic Candidate for Nassau County District Attorney, Nicole Aloise! Lee and Nicole talk about their time spent working together at the Queens County District Attorney's Office.Nicole discusses some of the pivotal moments in her career and how that led her to the campaign trail. Lee and Nicole discuss the goals of her campaign (besides "to win") and the kind of policies she is looking to enact if she does win. Nicole began her career at the Queens District Attorney’s Office in 2008 after obtaining her Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law. She spent sixteen years working as a prosecutor in both Nassau and Queens; most recently as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Queens Homicide Bureau.You can learn more about Nicole and her campaign at https://nicolefornassau.com/.And for more from Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina, check out our website at https://www.bfkplaw.com/.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Two Lawyers Walk Into A Bar, Lee Bergstein sits down with Pradnya Desh, attorney and the CEO of Advocat AI. Pradnya and Advocat AI are making waves in the legal industry by utilizing AI to transform how businesses tackle the contract cycle.During the course of the conversation, Pradnya shares her journey from serving as U.S. Diplomat at the World Trade Organization and the UN Committee on Trade and Development in Geneva, to transitioning into private practice focusing on international trade, to founding and running Advocat AI. Beyond that, she is a Vice Chairperson on the Board of Trustees at Bellevue College and has served as an adjunct professor of business law at Seattle University.You can learn more about Advocat AI at https://www.advocat.ai/. And for more from Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina, check out our website at https://www.bfkplaw.com/.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Two Lawyers Walk into a Bar, Lee Bergstein and Cooper Knowlton sit down with Ira Leesfield, the founder and managing partner of Leesfield Scolaro, a personal injury firm with offices in Miami, Key West, South Beach and Central Florida. Mr. Leesfield is one of the most prominent personal injury attorneys in the country, who was nominated as "Lawyer of the Year" by the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, after he obtained a $19.8 million verdict against Honda Corp., and selected as one of America’s Top Ten Trial Lawyers. During this conversation, Mr. Leesfield talks about how an eviction notice set him on the path to becoming a lawyer, his time in the Army and Justice Department, and how a chance meeting on a flight led him to personal injury work. He also chats about his friendships with the likes of Jimmy Buffett and President Bill Clinton, and talks about his time working in the Clinton Administration, where he was part of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets. Mr. Leesfield has led a fascinating life and we feel lucky to be able to share this conversation with all of you. We hope you give it a listen. To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of "Two Lawyers Walk into a Bar" Cooper Knowlton and Lee Bergstein chat with Shaun W. Pappas, a partner at Starr Associates LLP, who practices in the general real estate group with a focus on development and offering plans. During this conversation they chat about why Shaun decided to go to law school, why he started his career in litigation, and how he pivoted from litigation to real estate transactional work. Shaun also shares some valuable advice for aspiring law students, and for anyone interested in working in the world of New York real estate. It's a great conversation and we hope you give it a listen. Mr. Pappas works with developers, lenders and investors in the acquisition, sale, and financing of complex commercial, mixed-use, and luxury residential properties in New York. Mr. Pappas assists clients in all aspects of project development, including the preparation of offering plans, drafting declarations, the condominium creation process, negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, and the closing of title. In addition, Mr. Pappas collaborates with the project’s development team, including sales and marketing, architects and engineers, managing agents, and other general counsel to expeditiously move projects from inception through approval and ultimately to the negotiation of purchase and sale agreements as well as closings. To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Hanley is a partner at Glaser Weil in Los Angeles, where he leads a transactional real estate practice advising investors, joint venture partners, lenders and developers in all aspects of purchases, sales, financings, lease agreements and joint ventures. In this episode, he chats with Lee and Cooper about his path to law school, his early struggles with ADD, his transition from litigation to transactional work, and growing a real estate practice in Los Angeles. Tom also discusses how he ended up serving as a peace negotiator for the conflict in Bosnia, and negotiating one of the most successful cease-fires of the war, and shares how this experience affected his legal career and what it took to build back up a practice after a leave of absence. Tom is a fascinating individual and hope you take some time to hear his story! To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lee Bergstein and Cooper Knowlton chat with election law attorney Jerry Goldfeder about the inflection points in his storied career. The conversation also serves as a history lesson for anyone interested in New York City politics, and a roadmap for any lawyers considering entering the field of election law. (You can also tune in for a rare story involving Representative Jerry Nadler without a shirt and tie.) It's a great talk, and we hope you give it a listen. To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.