Peter A. Cross

Attorney at Law
212-756-1235

About Peter A. Cross
Attorney at Law

Attorney Profile

➤ Licensed Since: 1973

➤ Selected to Super Lawyers: 2006-2011, 2014-2015

➤ Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney in New York, NY
Experience

➤ For over 40 years Peter has focused on getting the best results for his clients, the primary focus of Peter’s practice is the resolution of business disputes and complex litigation and arbitration.

➤ He is very experienced in resolving complex business disputes for clients through mediation. In fact, Peter has himself served as a mediator in the Southern District of New York for many years.

➤ He has served as lead counsel or co-lead counsel in construction defect, landslide and fire litigation involving hundreds of plaintiffs and multiple defendants in both the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

➤ He has defended corporations in litigation arising from the sale, acquisition and financing of businesses; conducted internal corporate investigations; represented corporations in connection with governmental investigations; and defended and prosecuted distributor and dealer termination cases. In the real estate field, he has litigated title, leasehold, partnership, mortgages, financing and zoning issues.

➤ He has handled matters relating to the sudden release of toxic gases and chemicals as well as efforts to obtain and allocate insurance coverage for environmental damage and remediation.

➤ Peter has extensive international experience. For several years Peter was senior counsel at ITT Corporation for the Asia Pacific and Latin America Regions. In that capacity he worked on many international transactions and agreements. These included Joint ventures, distribution agreements, acquisitions and dispositions.

➤ Peter has also worked with the Chinese Consulate in New York, the Ministry of Culture in China and various Chinese cultural organizations and companies in the U.S. and in China to bring Chinese cultural entertainment to the U.S. and vice versa. He is a former co-general editor of Entertainment Industry Contracts, a multi-volume series published by LexisNexis. He has worked with Chinese businesses seeking assistance in entering and expanding in the U.S. market.
Areas of Expertise

➤ Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution

➤ Business Transactions Acquisitions, Sales, Mergers, Restructuring

➤ Real Estate and Construction Litigation

➤ Representing Doctors and Professional Practices in Business Matters

➤ Representing Foreign Companies Entering and Conducting Business in the United States

➤ Enterntainment Law
Education

➤ J.D., New York University School of Law

➤ B.A., Fordham College

➤ Columbia University Parker School of Foreign and Comparative Law

➤ New York University School of Law

Related Affiliations

➤ Member, New York State Bar Association

➤ Member, Better Business Bureau

➤ Member, Federal Bar Council

➤ Former Board Member and Treasurer, The Fund For Modern Courts

➤ Former Board Member and Chairman, Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York

➤ Former Co-Chair, Business Advisory Council, Brooklyn Legal Services, Corporation ‘A’

Bar Admissions

➤ New York, 1973-Present

➤ New Jersey, 1977-2016

➤ U.S. Supreme Court

➤ U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

➤ U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

➤ U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey

➤ U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

➤ U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

➤ U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit

Selected Cases

Successfully defended a small business victim of identity theft against claims by a commercial lender that the client was responsible for the repayment of a loan obtained by the imposter.

Represented a Fortune 500 company in litigation and mediation with another Fortune 500 company over allocation of asbestos related liabilities and claims. The matter was resolved through mediation and a procedure implemented to resolve future claims.

Represented Fortune 500 company in a private arbitration with another Fortune 500 company over entitlement to insurance proceeds from the settlement of environmental insurance claims. The client obtained over ninety percent of the recoveries, a sum in excess of $190 million.

Represented a Fortune 500 company in litigation with a public utility authority regarding the sale of the utility to a state-owned entity and obtained summary judgment for the client.

Represented a Fortune 500 company in successfully shutting down a foreign business that was illegally using the client’s trademark on television sets being sold in Europe and the Middle East.

Represented a Fortune 500 company in connection with SEC and Justice Department investigations of alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Criminal charges were avoided.

Conducted an internal investigation of alleged Iranian sanctions violations.

Represented a manufacturer in connection with the settlement of a dispute with a state-owned company in the People’s Republic of China over personal injury and property damages claims arising from a toxic chemical release.

Represented a building owner in complex personal injury litigation resulting from an arson fire at a night club. Also successfully coordinated the owner’s defense of criminal charges which were dismissed.

Represented a major homebuilder in resolving litigation resulting from debris flows and landslides in California.

Represented a major homebuilder in resolving litigation resulting from a deep seated landslide that impacted a housing development in Puerto Rico.

Represented a major homebuilder in construction and product liability litigation as well as product recalls in multiple jurisdictions in the U.S.

Represented a pump manufacturer in connection with litigation arising from the sinking of a fishing vessel in the Atlantic with all hands lost. Obtained dismissal of the suit against the manufacturer.

Successfully represented a major hotel operator in contract litigation with the general manager of one of its premier properties.

Served as national counsel and trial counsel for the parent company of a computer manufacturer in repetitive stress injury litigation in various U.S. jurisdictions. Obtained summary judgment for the manufacturer in New York and other jurisdictions.

Served as national counsel and trial counsel for a manufacturer in connection with product liability litigation relating to boiler controls in various jurisdictions.

Defended against the attempted foreclosure of a first mortgage on a major shopping center and obtained a successful settlement.

Served as plaintiffs’ counsel in a class action suit against a sub-prime mortgage company for violating New York banking regulations in connection with such loans and obtained a settlement for the class.

In a series of cases in the Eastern District of New York represented victims of real estate and mortgage lending predatory practices and obtained settlements in all such cases.

Represented the SIPC Trustee in bankruptcy proceedings relating to the liquidation of a brokerage firm.

On a pro bono basis represented a man wrongfully convicted of murder and obtained his exoneration of all charges.

Obtained multiple settlements from New York State and New York City in civil cases arising from wrongful convictions.

Practice Areas

Dispute Resolution

If you are in need of legal dispute resolution services or civil litigation, you should always seek an experienced attorney who can guide you through these matters. The dispute resolution and litigation process can be very complex and tricky, and it’s not something you should approach without help. Peter Cross has represented many diverse clients in these kinds of cases for over 40 years in New York City.
Wrongful Conviction and Criminal Defense

A criminal conviction can be completely devastating to your life. Depending on the specific charges, it can rob you not only of your freedom, but in some cases even certain rights as a United States citizen. Those convicted of felony charges, for example, lose their right to vote, to bear arms, and other rights, for good. If you’ve been wrongly convicted of a crime or are facing criminal charges, Peter Cross is here to help set things right.
Business Transactions and Litigation

Business law can encompass a very broad end of issues. It encompasses all of the laws and statutes that govern how you set up and run your business, from startup companies to buying or managing businesses, to closing and selling businesses and everything in between. It covers intellectual property law, tax law, contract law, consumer protections, property law and more. Peter Cross has represented businesses both large and small in such matter for over 40 years.
Real Estate Law

Real estate law can encompass a number of different needs and services. It can involve litigating lease agreements, titles, partnership agreements, mortgages, zoning issues, acquisition and sale of properties etc. These can be very complex matters, involving complicated and confusing laws and regulations. An experienced attorney like Peter Cross can help you navigate the complex waters of real estate law and ensure your transactions or disputes go as smoothly as possible.