ABOUT US

Rothberg, Straus & Contrubis, LLP was established upon the principles of integrity, trust and dedication. We are a team of native New Yorkers providing legal services to the people, communities, businesses and industries of our City. We have served as legal counsel and advisors to many New York City-based corporations, organizations, associations and individuals for over four decades. Our attorneys are well-versed in labor and construction law, contracts, dispute resolution, negotiations, real estate, estates, wills, liens, and more.

ABOUT US

Rothberg Straus & Contrubis LLP was established upon the principles of integrity, trust and dedication. We are a team of native New Yorkers providing legal services to the people, communities, businesses and industries of our City. We have served as legal counsel and advisors to many New York City-based corporations, organizations, associations and individuals for over four decades. Our attorneys are well-versed in labor and construction law, contracts, dispute resolution, negotiations, real estate, estates, wills, liens, and more.

OUR HISTORY, OUR LEGACY

Our firm was originally founded as the Law Offices of William Rothberg in 1979 and has expanded to include a new generation of partners, building on the knowledge, experience and integrity of its original name partner. We are proud to have served many of our clients for decades and look forward to continuing our legacy of longstanding relationships built on trust and commitment to our work.

OUR ATTORNEYS

William Rothberg, Esq.

Partner
bill@rothberglawfirm.com
Telephone: 718.624.2200

William “Bill” Rothberg, Esq. established the firm in 1979. Under his direction and guidance, the firm has maintained long-term relationships with its clients, staff and construction industry leaders. This is due, in part, to the culture of honesty, thoroughness and compassion he has instilled in the firm.

Rothberg has been practicing law for more than 50 years. He provides legal services to contractors, corporations and individual clients in a wide variety of areas. For much of his career, Rothberg has represented employer trade associations in the construction industry, and their affiliated union benefit funds. He serves as counsel as well as Executive Director of the Associations he represents and as a Professional Trustee on many union benefit funds.

Experience. Rothberg is a prominent figure in New York City’s construction labor law community. He has been successful in negotiating collective bargaining agreements on behalf of employers within the construction industry for four decades. He applies his vast experience in the use of dispute resolution and mediation techniques to negotiate settlements in labor-related disputes in lieu of litigation, a strategy appreciated by clients who recognize the time and cost savings achieved by his approach.

Admissions. Rothberg is admitted in the State of New York, the U.S. District Court – Eastern and Southern Districts, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Background. Rothberg is a native of Brooklyn. He received a degree in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.

Sylvie Straus-Figueroa, Esq.

Partner
sylvie@rothberglawfirm.com
Telephone: 718.624.2200

Sylvie Straus-Figueroa, Esq. has been with the firm since 2004. While her practice extends to all areas of the firm her concentration is in the construction industry. Straus represents employers on a wide range of issues, serves as Counsel and Managing Director to three employer associations and as co-counsel to two of their associated jointly-administered union benefit funds. Her diversified representation coupled with her involvement with several advocacy organizations and various City and State agencies give her a broad understanding of the industry. Straus is dynamic, steadfast and creative in her approach and enjoys the challenge of solving problems no matter their complexity.

Experience. Straus is well-versed in negotiating and drafting a full range of contracts, policies and procedures. She has successfully settled hundreds of disputes and has litigated the balance of cases in both state and federal courts. Her practice also includes international contract negotiation and dispute management with private entities and government agencies. She has additional experience in wills, trademarks, and real estate. 


Admissions. Straus is admitted in the State of New York and the U.S. District Court – Eastern District.


Background. Straus received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland College Park, and her law degree from Brooklyn Law School where she was awarded the Edward V. Sparer Public Interest Fellowship and the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association’s Outstanding Law Student Award.


Prior to and during the early years of her legal career she also served as an educator in New York City public schools and with youth-based non-profit organizations.

John Contrubis, Esq.

Partner
john@rothberglawfirm.com
Telephone: 718.624.2200

For three decades, John Contrubis Esq. has represented a diverse network of clientele that span multiple industries, including the federal government, television and film, real estate and construction. He is a professional advocate who represents the interests of sheet metal contractors and has also represented Members of Congress, and film and television writers. As a Construction Association Executive, he continuously provides his clients with the current status of laws, regulations and safety and technical standards impacting the industry.

Experience. Contrubis is highly knowledgeable in legal affairs and labor relations in the New York City Unionized Construction Industry, with the unique experience of having represented both labor and management in a unionized environment, which has been invaluable in developing working relationships with diverse parties. He is well-versed in business and corporate law and oversees the business operations of multi-million-dollar construction companies and other building trades associations. Contrubis is also an active member of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association Legislative and Political Action Committee where he advocates on behalf of the interests of the Association’s legislative agenda.

 

Admissions. Contrubis is admitted in Connecticut, New York and the U.S. District Court – Eastern District.

 

Background. Contrubis earned his bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Brooklyn Law School. He is a long-time member of the New York City community, where he was born and raised, and has actively participated in youth athletics and educational efforts in Brooklyn and Manhattan.  He also provides pro bono consulting to non-profit organizations seeking business and legal advice to help advance their businesses.

OUR TEAM

We are a boutique law firm with an experienced team of attorneys and legal assistants. Our team is an important part of our operations. Our professionals play an integral role in the services we provide to our clients and contribute to the fabric of the RSC team.

Daisy Lozada

Office Manager

Telephone: 718.624.2200

Daisy Lozada has served as the law firm’s legal assistant for more than 20 years. She is also a Fund Manager for a pension fund represented and administered by the firm. In her role as Office Manager, Lozada supports the daily operations of our law practice and is the office’s main point of contact.

Hanniffe Woodstock

Paralegal
Telephone: 718.624.2200

Hanniffe Woodstock has worked as a paralegal since 1998 and joined our law practice in 2016. She assists with all aspects of the firm’s legal work. Woodstock is highly skilled and serves as an integral part of our legal team.