About Jay Browne

I became a landlord-tenant attorney because of a phone call I got on a Friday night at 10pm.

A family in Crown Heights—mother, father, three kids—had just found out they were being evicted Monday morning. They'd been paying rent to someone who, it turned out, had no right to collect it. A classic rent scam. And now the real owner wanted them out.

I spent that weekend putting together an emergency motion. Monday morning, we walked into housing court and got a stay. The family kept their home while we sorted out the mess.

That's why I do this.

I handle cases for real New Yorkers, not case numbers for big banks. I represent tenants facing eviction, families living in dangerous conditions, and yes, landlords who want to do things the right way.

Background

I've been practicing law in New York since 2012. Before that, I worked in legal aid, where I learned that the people who need lawyers the most are often the ones who can least afford them.

I know Kings County Housing Court inside and out. The judges, the clerks, the hallway negotiations in the Resolution Part. I know which arguments work and which don't. I know when to fight and when to settle.

My Approach

I believe in being straight with clients. If you have a strong case, I'll tell you. If you don't, I'll tell you that too—and we'll figure out the best path forward.

I also believe in being accessible. Housing emergencies don't wait for business hours. When you're my client, you have my cell phone number.

For Brooklyn and the rest of the best city in the world. (NYC, I'm talking about NYC)