Heppt, Edward

Edward J. Heppt is an Associate in the Litigation Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

Full Bio

Mr. Heppt focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and regularly represents clients in state and federal court and in arbitration. He has served as litigation counsel on a wide variety of commercial and real-estate cases involving, by way of example, claims for breach of contract, specific performance, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference with contract and fraudulent conveyances. Mr. Heppt has considerable experience litigating business and contract cases, employment matters, labor law and FLSA violations, intellectual property, securities law, and business fraud cases.

As an aggressive and forward-thinking advocate, his strategic focus centers upon understanding his client’s goals and implementing a strategy that best fits the client’s needs. Mr. Heppt was named a New York Metro “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers in 2018 and 2019.
Representative Experience
- Obtained dismissal of breach of fiduciary duty and waste claims asserted against four directors of a large charity in an adversary proceeding in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, S.D.N.Y.
- Obtained dismissal of claims for the dissolution of several jointly-owned realty-holding companies in connection with a litigation between two partners of a real estate investment and brokerage company.
- Obtained a TRO enjoining the managing members of a real estate holding LLC from accessing the company’s bank accounts in connection with the construction and development of a condominium building.
- Obtained partial summary judgment in favor of a real estate brokerage company in connection with a litigation involving competing claims to millions of dollars in brokerage commissions.
- Obtained dismissal of an appeal filed in the Appellate Division, First Department by a shareholder of a cooperative building who sought over $55 million in damages against the board of directors of the cooperative.
- Obtained favorable settlements for a large bank in connection with several actions involving financial fraud resulting from the misconduct of the bank’s former branch manager.
- Obtained an order enjoining the owner of a company from withdrawing corporate funds without the prior authorization of the company’s principal investor.
- Obtained a stay of eviction and favorable settlement on behalf of a commercial tenant in a declaratory judgment action brought by a landlord who sought to declare certain lease extensions null and void under the Statute of Frauds.
- Successfully defended a landlord in an action brought by a commercial tenant who sought to compel the landlord to approve a specific contractor to perform renovation work.
- Represented landlords in various litigations, including proceedings in NYC Housing Court.
Bar Admissions

New York
Federal Circuit Courts
Federal District Courts
Education
Undergraduate
- University of Buffalo
Law School
- Brooklyn Law School
Memberships

New York City Bar Association
New York Bar Association
Secretary, State Courts of Superior Jurisdiction Committee for the New York City Bar Association
Recognitions

New York Super Lawyers - Rising Star (2018 - 2020)
Other Publications
Media Mentions