Category: News on the Homepage

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick is delighted to announce the successful acquisition of our client, a New York based architecture firm, by a leading architecture and engineering conglomerate.

Our client has been in business for over four decades and is recognized for building notable commercial and residential projects throughout the region. The strategic buyer has a distinguished portfolio of well-established architecture and engineering brands.

CMM Partner Vincent Costa led the deal team with assistance from Alex Tomaro. Through the negotiations, CMM worked closely with multi-family office Strata Alliance and M&A advisory firm Protegrity Advisors.

Congratulations to our client and we wish them continued success on this exciting new chapter!

Senior Partner Scott Middleton and Senior Associate Rich DeMaio have obtained a favorable decision for their client, a homeowners association surrounding a horse farm in Bridgehampton.

On behalf of the plaintiffs, Two Trees Homeowners Association, CMM sought a preliminary injunction from the Court that would prevent the defendant, Hayground Road Development LLC, from continuing construction that would violate longstanding easements, covenants, and restrictions on the property. The Court granted the relief CMM sought, noting that the plaintiffs satisfied their burden to show clear evidence of their entitlement to the preliminary injunction. This decision brings the Two Trees Homeowners Association one step closer to permanently enjoining the horse farm from expanding their operation and encroaching on the rights of the HOA.

For assistance with East End matters call us at (631) 738-9100.

By Ed Moltzen, Contributing Writer, LIBN

The construction and contracting trades have been among the most vibrant on Long Island for the past several years, as new housing and related projects have unfolded amid a run of economic expansion.

But new rounds of tariffs from Washington, D.C., are proving vexing for firms whose work relies on stable pricing of supplies ranging from Canadian lumber to aluminum to steel.

The result: General contractors and subcontractors may be searching for remedies to protect them from unanticipated price surges as suppliers pass the cost of new tariffs down the supply chain.

Long Island legal experts say the key to navigating choppy tariff waters will be to address them, where possible, upfront in contracts with provisions specific to wild, tariff-driven price fluctuations.

For bigger construction-related firms, that could be the difference between profit and loss on a project. For smaller construction firms, a sudden price hike from tariffs could put them out of business.

“The challenge you have is…contracts that are signed today; the work doesn’t start for another month or two,” said Donald Rassiger, a partner at Campolo Middleton & McCormick, LLP. And in that time, tariffs could be enacted, pulled back or even increased.

That’s why price flexibility in contracts—to account for that uncertainty—can save a contractor big bucks down the road.

Customers may otherwise say, “You put a lump sum price in for this…I’m holding you to your price,” Rassiger added.

Other issues include the potential for significant product shortages, as demand for domestically produced items overwhelms the supply. During the pandemic, a similar crunch happened four and five years ago, and some remember well the crunch to obtain goods to meet contractual obligations.

However, at that time, courts were also closed due to the pandemic, so the number of breach-of-contract lawsuits was minimal, meaning contractors and customers had to work it out as best as they could in many situations. Now, courts are open for business, so negotiating contracts in advance to take the uncertainty of tariffs into account is essential.

“Yes, there are some cases that get litigated,” Rassiger said. “I’ve had my fair share of them over the years. I would say, for the most part, these issues do eventually get worked out between the contractors and the owners. But there are instances where they proceed, and I’ve had my fair share of arbitrations over the years over these issues.”

Read the full article here.

Commercial real estate transactions can be quite challenging, often involving complicated legal and logistical considerations. Successfully navigating these deals requires meticulous planning, clear communication, and the ability to adapt to unexpected obstacles. In Campolo, Middleton & McCormick’s latest commercial real estate deal, Partner Donald Rassiger was able to guide the seller, a large New York medical practice, through the sale of multiple properties with a favorable outcome.

This complex sale involved the early termination of Industrial Development Agency Program (IDA PILOT) on two properties, last-minute changes in the buyer’s lender, and construction easements on one of the properties resulting from a previous subdivision of the site and the sale of the vacant lot for development.

“Thanks for everything and all your help in getting this thing across the finish line,” our client remarked.

For more information about our M&A and Commercial Real Estate practice, contact Don Rassiger at 631-738-9100.

A company specializing in HVAC, fuel, and oil does more than provide comfort to your home or business—it enhances your quality of life. These professionals work behind the scenes to ensure a consistently comfortable environment, regardless of external conditions.

In a recent asset purchase, CMM Partner Vincent Costa and Alex Tomaro represented a buyer with over 100 years of industry experience. The buyer, focused on strategic growth, acquired a complementary company to expand their existing operations. This acquisition strengthens the buyer’s capabilities by providing additional support to their current business model.

“We knew we were in good hands throughout the entire process,” the client said of the deal team.

For more information about our mergers and acquisitions practice, contact Vincent Costa at 631-738-9100.

Embarking on the journey of purchasing a company is an exciting milestone, but the process usually entails many complexities. 

CMM Partner Don Rassiger recently guided a client through the acquisition of a company in the pet industry. With multiple transactions involved, Don provided steadfast support at every stage. From structuring the purchase to negotiating a new lease, he ensured that every aspect of the deal was handled smoothly and successfully. 

“We’re thrilled to begin this new chapter,” shared the client. “Don’s support and guidance made all the difference.” 

For more information about our mergers and acquisitions services, please contact us at 631-738-9100. 

We are pleased to share that Joe Campolo has been recognized as a Long Island Business Influencer. Campolo is honored to be a part of this distinguished group that has helped strengthen Long Island’s business community.

Campolo has been getting things done in the business community for more than 25 years and is a recognized leader for tackling large projects and delivering results. From advising business owners and CEOs on M&A to running his own businesses, Campolo is immersed in finding creative solutions to complex problems. His deep, inner knowledge of the business world allows him to understand the perspective of business owners as they think about growing and selling their companies.

Campolo is also the Founder and CEO of Strata Alliance, a multi-family office with a network of carefully curated service providers, redefining the concept of assisting affluent and sudden wealth families. He takes a holistic approach to understanding all aspects of a client’s business, and his deep network of trusted advisors enables him to seamlessly provide critical services to high-net-worth clients.

As a top business strategist, Campolo is a go-to advisor for the who’s who of Long Island business, and he is a member of the prestigious Long Island Business Hall of Fame. Recognized as an authority on negotiation, Campolo enjoys an advantage in complex transactions and litigation and is routinely retained in “bet the company” legal matters by companies large and small.  

Campolo is also deeply involved in philanthropy, starting his own nonprofit, CMM Cares. Believing that bringing the business community together can make a difference, CMM Cares supports Long Islanders facing unexpected challenges. Campolo serves on the board of the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs. He actively contributes to the HIA-LI as a board member and chairs the Economic Development Task Force.

Campolo served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a member of St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Stony Brook and is an executive producer of “Tribute,” an award-winning short film.

He graduated from Stony Brook University and Fordham University School of Law. 

View the full Long Island Business Influencers book here.

By Ed Moltzen, Contributing Writer, LIBN

Retailers will be subject to a new law starting March 3 requiring them to take action to keep their workers safe, an act described as common sense but with some wrinkles that the state legislature may soon amend.

The New York Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA), passed by the state legislature last year and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul, would require retailers to train employees on workplace safety, as well as providing them with written safety policies. Larger retail businesses would also implement panic buttons.

“I think some retail stores are already doing things to protect their workers, but this law is made to help make sure all workers are safe,” said Christine Malafi, senior partner with Campolo, Middleton & McCormick of Ronkonkoma. “If their workers are safe, that means their customers are safe.”

And safe customers make for better business.

“It’s one of those laws that I have to say kind of makes sense,” Malafi added.

Read the full article here.