New York, NY – January 8, 2025 — Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals in offices throughout the East Coast, is proud to announce its expansion with the addition of Anderson & Ochs, a New York City-based law firm. This strategic move bolsters Becker’s commercial litigation and community association capabilities and adds three highly accomplished partners to its ranks.
The addition is part of Becker’s continued growth strategy to strengthen its ability to meet the evolving needs of clients. Steven S. Anderson, Mitchel H. Ochs, and Jennifer Karnes—formerly of Anderson & Ochs—join Becker as Shareholders, bringing decades of experience in commercial, corporate, and real estate litigation.
Shareholder and veteran cooperative and condominium counsel and litigator Steven S. Anderson has over 35 years of experience representing cooperatives and condominiums across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all NYC boroughs as well as homeowners’ associations in Westchester County and Long Island. As both general and litigation counsel, he serves properties of all sizes—from small buildings to luxury high-rises, including historic, suburban, and newly constructed developments. His trial experience and negotiating skills make him particularly adept at litigation avoidance—but always ready for the uncertainties inherent in litigation to serve his clients’ best interests. Steven received his J.D. with honors from George Washington University Law School.
Shareholder Mitchel H. Ochs focuses on complex corporate, commercial, co-op/condo, and general real estate-related litigation, in both federal and state trial and appellate courts, as well as various arbitration forums. Mitchel has extensive trial experience, including a multi-week federal securities jury trial in the Southern District of New York, resulting in a verdict of dismissal on behalf of his client; a three-month first-party insurance coverage jury trial in New York State Supreme Court, resulting in an $18 million judgment in favor of his client in addition to several bench trials and arbitrations. Mitchel graduated with high honors from New York Law School.
Shareholder Jennifer Karnes is a former Brooklyn felony prosecutor and experienced litigator. A zealous advocate for her clients, Jennifer is adept at handling a variety of complex litigation matters. She has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict in state and federal courts and litigated matters involving issues of first impression. Jennifer primarily focuses on complex commercial, co-op/condominium, and general real estate-related litigation in both federal and state trial and appellate courts. She also provides strategic legal guidance to co-op and condominium boards as General Counsel. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Buffalo School of Law.
Victor DiGioia, Regional Managing Shareholder for Becker’s New York and New Jersey offices, said, “The firm and the New York office have been through a period of explosive growth in the past few years to meet client demand. We welcome Steven, Mitchel, and Jennifer, who bring a wealth of litigation experience and knowledge in business that Becker’s clients will appreciate. Their impressive backgrounds and great track record representing clients will enhance our existing top-notch litigation team.” Steven Anderson added, “Mitchel, Jennifer, and I are thrilled to join Becker. We are looking forward to collaborating with Becker’s deep bench of talented lawyers and drawing on the extensive resources the firm offers, which will be of great benefit to our clients.”
Becker represents clients in complex business litigation throughout the United States in federal and state courts, and in arbitrations. Our litigators are widely recognized by their peers in the profession for their achievements. We represent government entities, publicly traded corporations, financial institutions, developers, entrepreneurs, contractors, design professionals and small businesses. Approximately half of the firm’s attorneys are full-time litigators, experienced in a range of litigation.
The attorneys in Becker’s award-winning Community Association Law practice cover the entire spectrum of legal counseling of condominium, cooperative, timeshares and homeowners’ associations. Becker grew out of its pioneering role creating the law pertaining to the operation of common ownership housing. Many of the leading cases in the field bear the firm’s name and our attorneys are recognized as leaders in the field.
About Becker
Becker, with headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals at offices throughout the East Coast. More information is available at www.beckerlawyers.com