Languages

• Italian

Lawyer Overview

Mark I. Zelko has more than 11 years of experience and specializes in commercial litigation and real estate, construction and general corporate law. Mr. Zelko has counseled and represented clients in a broad range of industries ranging from multinational Fortune 500 and publicly traded companies to start-up dot-coms and small businesses, including Amtrak, Verizon, Otis Elevator, The Plaza Hotel, AIG, TSYS Prepaid, Inc., WAC Lighting, and Universal Certificate Group LLC.

In his litigation practice, Mr. Zelko has successfully represented clients in both state and federal courts (including successfully arguing appeals), administrative proceedings and mediation. Mr. Zelko works closely with his clients as soon as potential litigation emerges to maximize results within the client’s fiscal constraints and business objectives. Mr. Zelko takes pride in using an economic approach to aggressively pursue favorable resolution early in a matter without the expenditures of large sums of legal fees. He has successfully worked on commercial, construction (including Labor Law), and general civil litigation matters on a myriad of issues, including shareholder derivative claims, fiduciary duty, breach of contract, breach of confidentiality, indemnification, and architect certification issues.

Mr. Zelko has also represented clients in general corporate and commercial matters such as corporate formation, shareholder issues, and negotiating and drafting contracts. He has negotiated and drafted contracts for a broad range of clients, including shareholder operating agreements, construction contracts, asset purchase agreements, service and vendor contracts, confidentiality and non-compete agreements, and employment and independent contractor agreements.

Mr. Zelko has extensive experience in commercial and residential real estate and has successfully completed several large commercial lease transactions within the last few months. Mr. Zelko also represents purchasers and sellers and has litigated a variety of real estate matters relating to landlord-tenant, breach of contract, and co-op and condominium issues.

Mr. Zelko graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a dual major in economics and english and received his Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law.

Mr. Zelko speaks fluent Italian and holds dual citizenship between the United States and Italy. He has spent considerable time in Italy and his understanding of the culture and business environment provides him with a unique perspective in representing both Italian clients doing business in the United States and American clients doing business in Italy and the European Union.

Areas of Practice

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Corporate and Shareholder Litigation
• Real Estate - Commercial and Residential
• Commercial and Business Law
• General Corporate Law
• International Law
• Insurance Law

Representative Clients

• Amtrak
• Verizon
• Otis Elevator
• The Plaza Hotel
• AIG
• TSYS Prepaid, Inc.
• WAC Lighting
• Universal Certificate Group LLC

Representative Cases

• Naccari v. National Railroad Passenger Corp. and Amtrak, 2001 WL 863415 ((S.D.N.Y.))
• Gregory v. Universal Certificate Group, LLC, 2006 WL 2728936 ((N.Y.A.D. 1st Dep't))

West Practice Categories

Business & Commercial Law, Business Organizations, Construction Law, Insurance Law, International Law, Litigation & Appeals, Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate

Bar Admissions

• New York, 1996
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 1999
• U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1999

Past Employment Positions

• Landman Corsi Ballaine & Ford, P.C., NY, NY
• Bivona & Cohen, P.C., NY, NY

Education

• Boston University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts, 1995
  Juris Doctor
• Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 1992
  B.A.
  Honors: magna cum laude
  Major: Economics
  Major: English

Address

170 Old Country Road
Suite 608
Mineola, NY 11501

Phones

(516) 248-9880

Faxes

(516) 248-9879

Emails

mzelko@agovinoasselta.com

Websites

http://www.agovinoasselta.com