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Regulatory Compliance Consultant

28 vetted vendors

A regulatory compliance consultant is a hired expediter / lawyer-adjacent fixer who navigates DOB filings, SLA applications, DOH complaints, FDNY paperwork, sidewalk café permits, and DCA inspections. For a new NYC venue they shave months off opening; for an operating venue they kill violations and keep your COIs and licenses current.

Buyer's guide

NYC hospitality compliance — build a bench, not one firm

NYC hospitality compliance is unique: no single private-sector firm covers all 7+ agencies (DOHMH, NYS SLA, FDNY, DOB, NYSDOL, DEP, NYC MOPD). Operators who try to find an "all-in-one" compliance vendor end up with shallow coverage on each domain. The right answer is to build a bench of specialists — a DOH inspection consultant, an SLA attorney, an expediter for DOB/FDNY permits, an employment lawyer for labor law, and trade association memberships for early-warning regulatory updates. The single biggest operator failure mode is hiring one generalist consultant and learning they don't actually have the specialty when the OATH summons arrives.

Five specialist tiers matter. Tier 1 — DOH food safety consultants prep restaurants for inspection and defend violations at OATH. Letter Grade Consulting is the NYC market leader (the name is a branding master class — they also publish the most-current 2025 Chapter 23 amendment analysis). EHA Consulting Group (est. 1980) is the institutional-grade option for HACCP plan development. Mock inspections run $500-$2,000 per visit; the City offers a DOH consultation for $400 through official channels. Tier 2 — SLA / liquor license attorneys are a specialized practice (covered separately on the Liquor License page). Tier 3 — FDNY / fire code consultants like Milrose (largest US code consulting firm), Rael Fire Protection, and Done Right HFS handle Certificates of Fitness (F-03 indoor PA, F-04 temporary PA, S-17 fire suppression), Place of Assembly permits, and pre-operational inspections.

Tier 4 — Expediters are the DOB/FDNY filing layer (Milrose, plus narrower NYC expediters in the dedicated Expeditor bible). Tier 5 — ADA / accessibility consultants matter more than most operators realize: NYC accounts for 31.6% of all US digital accessibility lawsuits and NYC Building Code accessibility (based on ICC A117.1-2009) sometimes exceeds federal ADA standards (per Milrose ADA-vs-2014-NYC analysis). Add NYC MOPD for the waiver process on pre-2014 buildings. Cross-cutting all five tiers: NYC Hospitality Alliance is the single best compliance "insurance" an indie operator can buy — they were first to brief the 2025 sugar warning rule, the Dining Out NYC permanent framework, and Fair Workweek expansion. Membership pays for itself the first time an alert lets you correct before enforcement.

NYC-specific traps: never accept a "compliance consultant" who claims to do everything — verify they actually have the agency relationship and specialty for what you're hiring. Always pull the property's prior history from BIS (DOB Building Information System) and DOHMH inspection-history portal before hiring or signing — uncorrected violations from a prior tenant become your problem. Schedule a private mock DOH inspection 30-45 days before your initial DOH inspection — the $500-2,000 cost prevents a $5-15K fine + B-card. For OATH-ECB defense, hospitality attorneys outperform pure compliance consultants — match the matter to the venue. ECB violation fines run $250-$25,000+ per item; the low end is administrative (expired permits, late filings), the high end is hazardous conditions (structural, fire, unauthorized occupancy). Pay or appeal within 30 days — defaults double.

Vendors profiled below

Types — what to buy when

6 types
🥬

DOH Food Safety Consultant

Mock inspections, OATH violation defense, staff training

Letter Grade Consulting, EHA, Restaurant Professional Services — inspection prep + OATH defense.

Price
$500-$2,000 per mock visit · OATH on hourly
Best for
Restaurants prepping for DOH inspection or defending an OATH-ECB violation.
Top brands
Letter Grade ConsultingEHA Consulting GroupRestaurant Professional ServicesHealth Compliance NYC
🥃

SLA / Liquor License Attorney

License applications, MoO changes, violation defense

DHC, Pierce & Kwok, Stacy Weiss, Shenker Russo, Korngut Paleudis, Kearney — NYS SLA specialty.

Price
$3,000-$15,000+ application support · hourly post-license
Best for
Operators applying for or defending a NYS SLA on-premises license.
Top brands
Davidoff Hutcher & CitronPierce & KwokStacy WeissShenker Russo & ClarkKorngut PaleudisKearney Law GroupRezzonator Services
🚒

FDNY / Fire Code Consultant

Certificates of Fitness, Place of Assembly, pre-operational inspections

Milrose, Rael Fire Protection, Done Right HFS — COF + PA permit + suppression compliance.

Price
Project-based; PA permit application $400-2,500
Best for
Operators triggering 75+ occupancy PA, hood suppression compliance, or COF requirements.
Top brands
Milrose ConsultantsRael Fire ProtectionDone Right HFS
📋

DOB / Code + Permit Expediter

DOB filings, code review, permit shepherding

Milrose Consultants — largest US code consulting + permit filing firm. Single source DOB+FDNY.

Price
Project-based; varies by filing complexity
Best for
Operators who want one firm to manage DOB + FDNY + ADA filing in parallel.
Top brands
Milrose Consultants

ADA / Accessibility Consultant

Physical accessibility audit + digital ADA defense

Physical (ICC A117.1) + digital (WCAG 2.1) — NYC sees 31.6% of all US ADA digital suits.

Price
$2,500-$10,000+ audit · litigation defense hourly
Best for
Operators in pre-2014 buildings (waiver path) or with online ordering / website ADA exposure.
Top brands
NYC MOPD (waiver process)Accessibility.WorksAudioEye
📞

Trade Association / Compliance Membership

Day-to-day compliance questions, alerts, advocacy

NYC Hospitality Alliance, NYSRA, HANYC — early-warning regulatory alerts + helpline.

Price
Membership dues only
Best for
Every NYC hospitality operator — best compliance insurance for the price.
Top brands
NYC Hospitality AllianceNYSRAHANYCNRA Restaurant Law Center

Brands — how the big names compare

8 brands
LG

Letter Grade Consulting

NYC DOH specialist
NYC market leader for DOH inspection prep + OATH defense.

Letter Grade Consulting is the NYC market leader for DOH food safety consulting — mock inspections, OATH tribunal representation, fine reduction, and staff training. The Resource Center publishes compliance guides and the most-current 2025 Chapter 23 amendment analysis (sugar warning penalties, children's meal violations, organic waste, food allergy notices). Mock inspection pricing $500-2,000 per visit. For most NYC restaurants, this is the single most-leveraged compliance contract — A-grade math says one prevented B-card pays for years of mock-inspection work.

Top NYC models
  • Mock DOH inspection
    Single-visit walkthrough + report
    $500-$2,000
  • OATH violation defense
    Tribunal representation + fine reduction
    Hourly or matter rate
  • Staff food safety training
    On-site team training
    Per-session pricing
Strengths
  • +NYC market leader for DOH inspection prep
  • +Most-current Chapter 23 amendment analysis
  • +OATH tribunal experience
  • +Restaurants in 2024-25 saw real grade improvements via Letter Grade prep
Weaknesses
  • DOH-specific — no SLA / FDNY / DOB depth
  • NYC-only (no NJ / CT)
Best for
NYC restaurants prepping for DOH inspection or defending an OATH-ECB violation.
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EC

EHA Consulting Group

Founded 1980, institutional-grade
HACCP plan development + food safety. Institutional-grade environmental + public health.

EHA Consulting Group (est. 1980) is the institutional-grade food safety consultancy — environmental and public health consultants doing HACCP plan development, DOH inspection prep, and a published white paper on the ABC grading system. Strong fit for hotel F&B, multi-unit restaurant chains, and operators with formal HACCP requirements. Pricing is institutional (project-based, typically higher than Letter Grade).

Top NYC models
  • HACCP plan development
    Full HACCP for hotel F&B
    Institutional project pricing
  • DOH inspection prep
    Multi-unit chain prep
    Project-based
  • Environmental + public health audit
    Broad facility audit
    Project-based
Strengths
  • +40+ year institutional credibility
  • +HACCP specialty for hotel F&B + chains
  • +Cross-domain environmental + public health
  • +Published ABC grading white paper
Weaknesses
  • Pricier than Letter Grade for single-restaurant work
  • Institutional pace — not best for fast OATH defense
Best for
Hotel F&B, multi-unit restaurant chains, formal HACCP requirements.
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MC

Milrose Consultants

Largest US code consulting + permit filing firm
Single-source DOB + FDNY + ADA. Multi-decade NYC + national code expertise.

Milrose Consultants is the largest US code consulting and permit filing firm. Their published guides on Certificates of Fitness (the 8 most common COF types including F-03 and S-17) and ADA-vs-2014-NYC-Building-Code are standard NYC operator reference material. Best fit when an operator wants single-source coordination across DOB + FDNY + ADA. Project-based pricing.

Top NYC models
  • DOB permit filing
    Alt-1 / Alt-2 / NB filings
    Project-based
  • FDNY PA + COF coordination
    Place of Assembly + COF
    Project-based
  • ADA accessibility audit
    Physical + code review
    Project-based
Strengths
  • +Largest US code consulting firm — institutional weight
  • +Single-source DOB + FDNY + ADA coordination
  • +Published authoritative guides on COF + ADA + NYC code
  • +Multi-decade NYC code experience
Weaknesses
  • Generalist code consulting — DOH and SLA require separate specialists
  • National scale = less NYC-only intimacy than NYC-only firms
Best for
Operators wanting single-source DOB + FDNY + ADA coordination on a single project.
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DH

Davidoff Hutcher & Citron (DHC)

50+ years NYC hospitality law
Full-service NYC hospitality law + government relations. Sid Davidoff = SLA depth.

DHC is a full-service NYC law firm with 50+ years representing hospitality businesses — covering liquor licenses, cabaret licenses, sidewalk cafe permits, health/building/noise code violation defense, and government relations. Sid Davidoff is widely cited as one of the most experienced NYS SLA practitioners in NYC. The government-relations practice gives DHC political access at NYS Liquor Authority that pure-law boutiques can't match.

Top NYC models
  • NYS SLA license application
    OP / OP-W / RW + CB navigation
    $5-15K flat or hourly
  • SLA enforcement defense
    Adversarial SLA matter
    Hourly + matter retainer
  • Government relations
    NYS political access
    Project-based
Strengths
  • +50+ years NYC hospitality experience
  • +Sid Davidoff = top SLA practitioner
  • +Government relations / political access
  • +Cross-domain hospitality law (SLA + cabaret + sidewalk + violations)
Weaknesses
  • Pricier than boutique-only SLA firms
  • Less DOH / FDNY consulting depth (they refer out)
Best for
NYC SLA work + adversarial matters where political access matters; mid-size operators.
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NH

NYC Hospitality Alliance

Founded 2012, NYC
Andrew Rigie ED. The single best compliance insurance an indie NYC operator can buy.

NYC Hospitality Alliance is a not-for-profit founded in 2012, led by Executive Director Andrew Rigie, representing restaurant and nightlife establishments across all five boroughs. The Alliance was first to brief operators on the 2025 sugar warning rule, the Dining Out NYC permanent outdoor dining framework, and the Fair Workweek expansion. Provides SLA guidance, community board navigation support, compliance toolkits, and a direct advocacy line to City Council and the Mayor's office. Membership is the single best compliance insurance an indie NYC operator can buy.

Top NYC models
  • Membership
    Full membership benefits
    Annual dues (tiered)
  • Regulatory alerts
    Early-warning new rule notices
    Member benefit
  • Compliance toolkits
    Operator-grade guides
    Member benefit
Strengths
  • +Best early-warning regulatory alert system in NYC
  • +Andrew Rigie + Alliance team have unmatched NYC political access
  • +Compliance toolkits worth multiples of dues
  • +Five-borough representation
Weaknesses
  • Trade association — not a substitute for attorneys / consultants
  • Membership dues required
Best for
Every NYC hospitality operator — sub-$1K/yr compliance insurance.
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P&

Pierce & Kwok LLP

NYC; senior partners are former bar/restaurant owners
SLA attorneys — partners ran bars themselves. Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens.

Pierce & Kwok LLP — senior partners are former bar and restaurant owners and operators, representing dozens of restaurants, bars, and music venues in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. The operator-lived-it credibility separates them from career attorneys. Strong fit when operator wants SLA counsel that has actually managed a venue end-to-end.

Top NYC models
  • NYS SLA application
    OP / OP-W / RW filing
    $3-10K flat or hourly
  • Music venue specialty
    Live music + cabaret-adjacent
    Project-based
  • CB navigation
    Community Board representation
    Per-CB engagement
Strengths
  • +Senior partners are former operators
  • +Music venue + bar specialty (not just restaurants)
  • +Tri-borough Manhattan / Brooklyn / Queens reach
  • +Operator credibility translates to better CB representation
Weaknesses
  • Smaller scale than DHC
  • Less government-relations depth
Best for
NYC bar + music venue SLA work where operator-lived-it experience matters.
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RF

Rael Fire Protection

NYC fire protection
NYC FDNY fire protection. S-17 + Class K extinguisher mandate guidance.

Rael Fire Protection is a NYC fire protection specialist with published guidance on the S-17 regulation and Class K extinguisher mandate for all NYC restaurants with cooking equipment. Best fit for operators needing FDNY compliance on suppression hoods + Class K extinguishers + COF coordination. Project-based pricing.

Top NYC models
  • S-17 fire suppression compliance
    Hood + Ansul + Class K
    Project-based
  • COF coordination + scheduling
    F-03 / F-04 / S-17 prep
    Per-COF engagement
  • Annual permit renewal
    Hood + suppression annual cycle
    Annual contract
Strengths
  • +NYC FDNY fire protection specialty
  • +S-17 + Class K mandate authoritative guidance
  • +Hood + suppression annual maintenance + permit renewal
  • +NYC-only focus = institutional knowledge
Weaknesses
  • Fire-protection-only — no DOH / SLA / DOB
  • Smaller scale than Milrose
Best for
NYC restaurants with cooking equipment requiring S-17 + Class K + hood suppression.
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RS

Rezzonator Services

NYC SLA compliance
SLA compliance consultants (not attorneys). Thousands of SLA applications handled.

Rezzonator Services are compliance consultants (not attorneys) who have handled thousands of SLA applications and provide end-to-end license guidance. Best fit when the operator needs experienced SLA hand-holding without paying full attorney rates — for straightforward applications without complex legal questions. For adversarial SLA matters or 500-foot rule disputes, hire an attorney instead.

Top NYC models
  • SLA application end-to-end
    OP / OP-W / RW filing + CB
    Consultation-based
  • CB notification + appearance
    Community Board representation
    Per-CB engagement
  • License renewal
    Annual SLA renewal
    Per-engagement
Strengths
  • +Thousands of SLA applications — high-volume experience
  • +Lower cost than full attorney representation
  • +End-to-end SLA license guidance
  • +Good fit for straightforward applications
Weaknesses
  • Not attorneys — can't represent in adversarial proceedings
  • Don't handle 500-foot rule legal arguments
  • No SLA enforcement defense
Best for
Straightforward NYS SLA applications without legal complexity; budget-conscious operators.
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By venue type — recommended setup

VenueRecommended setupCost
New NYC restaurant pre-openingNYC Hospitality Alliance membership + DHC or Pierce & Kwok (SLA) + Milrose (DOB/FDNY) + Letter Grade (DOH prep)Membership + $5-25K total compliance bench startup
Operating NYC restaurant — annual complianceNYC Hospitality Alliance + Letter Grade (annual mock inspection) + Rael (FDNY annual)$2-7K annual + dues
NYC restaurant — OATH violation defenseLetter Grade Consulting (DOH-specific) or hospitality attorney (DHC for SLA-related)Hourly OATH representation; $1-5K typical matter
NYC hotel F&B with HACCP requirementsEHA Consulting Group (HACCP) + Milrose (DOB/FDNY) + EGS (employment/HANYC)Institutional project pricing
Multi-state restaurant chainGreenspoon Marder (multi-state SLA/ABC) + EHA (HACCP) + national ADA firmNational-tier project + retainer
Sourced from the Nightrush Regulatory Compliance Consultant bible (audited 2025). NYC firm landscape, fee benchmarks, and ECB violation framework cross-referenced from Letter Grade Consulting Resource Center, Milrose Consultants published guides, NYC Hospitality Alliance regulatory bulletins, NYS SLA Guidance Documents, FDNY Restaurant Fire Safety Guide, and NYC DOB Certificate of Occupancy + BIS portals.

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The 28 top vendors

Sorted by profile completeness · NYC-first

ClarkHirth

ClarkHirth

Crunching Numbers, Pouring Profits,Hospitality Accounting Made Easy!

ClarkHirth specializes in providing accounting, tax preparation, and compliance solutions tailored for the hospitality industry, including restaurants, bars, breweries, and quick-service restaurants.…

NYCGet in Nightrush →
NYC Hospitality Alliance

NYC Hospitality Alliance

Empowering NYC Hospitality: Uniting & Advocating for Every Borough!

The NYC Hospitality Alliance is the leading advocate for New York City's restaurant and nightlife industry, championing pro-hospitality policies and fighting against anti-small business mandates. They…

NYCGet in Nightrush →
Cohn Legal, PLLC

Cohn Legal, PLLC

33y

Startup focused legal services

Cohn Legal, PLLC is deeply committed to the startup community in the New York Metropolitan Area and provides regular legal guidance and counsel to some of New York’s most exciting and promising emergi…

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Fridman Law Firm PLLC

Fridman Law Firm PLLC

6y

Startup & corporate legal counsel

Boutique NYC firm delivering highly responsive, startup- and growth-focused legal counsel across entity formation, M&A, IP, venture financing, fund formation, real estate and virtual general counsel s…

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Woods Lonergan PLLC

Woods Lonergan PLLC

32y

Business law services

Since 1993, Woods Lonergan PLLC has provided intelligent, cost-effective representation in transactional and litigation matters, working to help clients achieve their goals in the boardroom or courtro…

ManhattanGet in Nightrush →
Vivian K. Tozaki, Esq.

Vivian K. Tozaki, Esq.

16y

Legal services

The Law Office of Vivian K. Tozaki represents clients throughout New York City. Counselor Tozaki will carefully guide you through the legal process, ensuring you receive the representation you deserve…

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Rodriguez Law

Rodriguez Law

15y

Business & licensing law

Rodriguez Law is a New York City-based business law firm, dedicated to protecting businesses' rights in high-stakes matters like liquor licensing, corporate law, and cannabis licensing across New York…

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Shapiro Legal Group PLLC

Shapiro Legal Group PLLC

13y

Mass tort litigation specialist

At the Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC we represent clients who have suffered serious injuries due to dangerous or defective products, unsafe drugs, defective medical devices, or exposure to toxic products.

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United Risk Insurance

United Risk Insurance

32y

Property & casualty insurance

United Risk Management, Inc. began as a small personal lines agency in 1993. Since then, we have grown into a major Property and Casualty agency serving the needs of both businesses and individuals.

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Robert L. Greener

Robert L. Greener

36y

Intellectual property & business law

We are a New York City based law firm specializing in intellectual property and general business law in the fashion, arts, entertainment, corporate and media fields with almost 30 years experience.

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NYC Foodservice Health

NYC Foodservice Health

155y

Food safety regulation

Whether you work in a restaurant, soup kitchen or other food service establishment, the Health Department has important information about operating a clean, safe, healthy and legal business.

ManhattanGet in Nightrush →
Schlanger Law Group LLP

Schlanger Law Group LLP

18y

Consumer protection law

Schlanger Law Group offers top legal credentials, extensive litigation experience and deep knowledge of consumer protection law, with a passionate commitment to serving consumers like you.

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Pierce & Kwok LLP

Pierce & Kwok LLP

15y

Creative business law

Pierce & Kwok LLP is a client-focused law firm representing entrepreneurs, artists, small businesses, and startups at every stage,from startup and growth to financing, mergers, and IPOs.

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Ilganayev Law Firm, PLLC

Ilganayev Law Firm, PLLC

8y

General litigation law

New York-based litigation firm handling criminal defense, civil disputes, landlord‑tenant, personal injury, administrative law, cannabis, trademark and merchant‑cash‑advance issues.

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Gana Weinstein LLP

Gana Weinstein LLP

12y

Securities litigation

Gana Weinstein LLP represents investors in disputes with advisors and broker-dealers, recovering millions for clients across all 50 states through expert securities litigation.

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Einbinder & Dunn LLP

Einbinder & Dunn LLP

35y

Excellent Yet Affordable Legal Services

Einbinder & Dunn LLP offers affordable, excellent legal services across various practice areas, with over 30 years of proven success in delivering results for our clients.

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NYC Environmental Protection

NYC Environmental Protection

48y

Water management services

NYC DEP manages the city’s water supply, wastewater treatment, and environmental policy, delivering safe, sustainable services to over 8 million New Yorkers every day.

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Alisme Law LLC

Alisme Law LLC

5y

Business litigation

Alisme Law is a boutique commercial litigation firm based in Brooklyn, New York. We handle civil litigation matters for small businesses in New York State and beyond.

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Cea Legal, P.C.

Cea Legal, P.C.

9y

Business and real estate law

Cea Legal P.C. represents businesses in the NYC metro area, offering personalized legal advice and support tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.

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Romano Law

Romano Law

22y

Business law & counsel

We provide clarity, guidance and strategic business law counsel to our clients as they establish their entities, raise financing and buy or sell assets.

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Samuel Law Firm

Samuel Law Firm

25y

Employment & injury law

We are a New York City law firm conveniently located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, and we represent clients across the entire metropolitan area.

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The James Firm

The James Firm

11y

Hospitality legal services

The James Firm focuses on corporate law, real estate, and New York State business licensing, mainly alcoholic beverage licensing.

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Helbraun Levey

Helbraun Levey

20y

Hospitality industry legal services

Helbraun Levey is the premier law firm in New York City for bars, restaurants, hotels, chefs and all food and beverage outlets.

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J H Dunne Law

J H Dunne Law

25y

Business & real estate law

Committed to helping you navigate the legal landscape, ensuring compliance, and safeguarding your business interests.

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I

IX Legal

7y

Business law services

Founded by Michael Iakovou, IX Legal is a medium-sized, multidisciplinary law firm guiding companies and businesses through the entire spectrum of legal issues that are part of running a successful op…

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C

Cohen Schneider Law, P.C.

18y

Business law services

Cohen Schneider Law delivers legal counsel for startups, charter schools, nonprofits, real estate, IP, e‑commerce, and private clients, through hands-on, innovation-driven representation.

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L

Law Offices of Eric Dinnocenzo

14y

Hospitality legal services

The Law Offices of Eric Dinnocenzo represents clients in NJ and NY courts for denied life/property insurance claims, employment discrimination, and personal injury cases.

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W

Working Solutions Law Firm

11y

Employment law services

Working Solutions is a nationally recognized team of employment lawyers in NYC, NJ, and MA, striving to be the top-rated lawyers, one client at a time.

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