Author: Kelly McElroy

Pastore LLC Ranked in Chambers USA New York Spotlight Guide 2026

Posted on by Kelly McElroy

Pastore LLC has been ranked in Chambers USA New York Spotlight Guide 2026 and recognized as a leading small to medium-sized law firm offering a credible alternative to Big Law.

Pastore LLC was selected based on an independent and in-depth market analysis, coupled with an assessment of the firm’s experience, expertise and caliber of talent.

Chambers Spotlight New York 2026 highlights 262 ranked firms across seven regions and 31 distinct practice areas.

Now featuring 67 ranking tables, this expanded edition showcases Metro New York’s unmatched concentration of legal talent, and captures the full spectrum of work handled by the country’s leading small and mid-sized firms – from high-stakes commercial litigation, white-collar defence and securities disputes to complex corporate/commercial, real estate and employment matters.

Pastore LLC stood out for its exceptional work and is recognized in Litigation: Securities.

Joseph M. Pastore III expressed the firm’s gratitude: “Pastore LLC is honored to be recognized by Chambers and Partners in their Spotlight Ranking for Metro New York. This acknowledgment reflects our commitment to providing top-tier legal services tailored to the unique needs of our clients and the complex matters that we help them navigate.”

This recognition underscores Pastore LLC’s position as a key player in Connecticut and New York’s legal landscape, offering clients access to high-quality legal representation that combines Big Law expertise with local specialized support.

Background to Firm

In 2012, former Big Law attorneys came together to establish Pastore LLC. After decades of experiences at Big Law, the founders already had built successful careers. Yet, they hoped to achieve something more. At larger law firms, the founders watched clients struggle with bureaucracy and lack of personal commitment. Pastore was founded to provide clients an opportunity to work closely with experienced attorneys in sophisticated and important matters. With Pastore, clients enjoy best of both worlds: capability of a big law firm and personal approach of a small law firm.

For fourteen years, Pastore LLC has built credibility through hard work and a client-focused approach. Pastore has a global reach; the firm has a strong reputation in Metro New York, but it also draws clients from across the country and internationally. The firm’s approach to growth is simple: Pastore’s attorneys take exceptional care of the legal issues clients face.

Although Pastore is ranked in Chambers New York 2026 for securities litigation, the firm provides excellent legal services in various fields. Pastore’s attorneys have experience at top national firms such as Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner LLP, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Proskauer Rose LLP, and regulatory agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. Pastore counts as its alumni attorneys at top 10 firms and the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Connecticut. The firm handles commercial and securities litigation, corporate, employment, intellectual property, real estate and construction litigation, and many other areas. Regardless of whether the matter is transactional, advisory, or litigation, experienced attorneys are always ready to take on the matter.

Background to Chambers and Partners

Chambers and Partners has over 30 years of US research in the Legal Market and therefore uniquely placed to identify markets where there is a significant collection of leading smaller firms, Chambers is on a mission to uncover the best legal talent wherever it may be.

Chambers is on a mission to uncover and champion the best legal talent across the United States, wherever it exists, starting with shining a spotlight on select states in 2024.

Chambers sought to identify the leading small to medium-sized law firms offering a credible alternative to Big Law. The ranked firms were selected based on independent and in-depth market analysis, coupled with an assessment of their experience, expertise and calibre of talent.

Chambers Spotlight covers Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and New York State.

 

Pastore Attorney Tyler W. Rutherford’s Article Published in the Westchester Lawyer

Posted on by Kelly McElroy

Tyler W. Rutherford was recently published in the Westchester Lawyer, the journal of the Westchester County Bar Association. His article examines how Texas’s evolving financial and judicial infrastructure, including the TXSE, the Texas Business Court, and the NYSE’s expansion into Dallas, is reshaping the corporate law landscape traditionally dominated by Delaware. The article can be accessed here.

As a firm that applies a long history of practice in traditional finance and securities to the realm of corporate formation and financial platforms, Pastore LLC can advise clients on best practices concerning the state of domicile or corporate structure for their business.

Connecticut Appellate Court Rules in Favor of Pastore LLC’s Hedge Fund Clients in Landmark Jury Trial Decision

Posted on by Kelly McElroy

In a complex dispute involving multimillion-dollar private equity investments and hedge fund ownership, the Connecticut Appellate Court ruled in favor of Pastore LLC clients over investors represented by Wiggin and Dana. The trial court consolidated two related actions and removed both cases from the jury docket just weeks before trial. Despite repeated filings including jury trial claims, the trial court held that those claims were untimely under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-215, concluded that the parties had not provided valid written consent, and proceeded instead with a bench trial that resulted in judgments against the appellants.

On appeal, the Connecticut Appellate Court reversed, holding that the parties’ filings, including jury claims and certificates of closed pleadings, constituted binding written consent under § 52-215. The Court emphasized that once such consent is given, it cannot be unilaterally withdrawn, and timeliness is not a barrier where written consent exists. The decision reaffirms the strength of Connecticut’s jury trial statute, clarifies that written consent may be established through procedural filings, and ensures that litigants’ constitutional right to a jury trial is preserved.

Pastore LLC’s appellate team, including Joseph M. Pastore III, Melissa Rose McClammy, Paul Fenaroli and Tyler Rutherford, successfully argued that the trial court’s approach undermined both statute and precedent, persuading the Appellate Court to restore the cases to the jury docket. This ruling not only protects the rights of the firm’s clients but also establishes an important precedent for future Connecticut litigants by confirming that properly documented filings satisfy the written consent standard. The decision underscores the firm’s commitment to safeguarding procedural rights and achieving impactful results in high-stakes commercial litigation and financial services.

Pastore LLC Obtains a $51M PJR Involving the Largest Real Estate Development in Westchester and a Greenwich Based Real Estate Developer

Posted on by Kelly McElroy

Pastore LLC on behalf of its client, a 49% shareholder in a development and construction management firm (the “Company”), together with Pullman & Comley, LLC, counsel for the Chapter 7 Trustee for the Company in the SDNY, obtained a Prejudgment Remedy authorizing the attachment of $51,215,793.42, which includes $1,500,000 in punitive damages. The claims involve corporate governance and ownership structure of construction projects totaling over $1,600,000,000. In its decision granting the Prejudgment Remedy, the Court noted that “[t]he evidence of defendants’ violation of their fiduciary duties and violation of CUTPA was substantial and stunning.”

Pastore LLC Wins Unanimous Jury Verdict for Private Equity Investor

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Pastore LLC represented a private equity investor and an active philanthropist in Greenwich based non-profits in a defamation case against a former candidate for the United States Senate and House of Representatives. After three weeks of jury selection and evidence, a jury in the Stamford Superior Court deliberated as to whether the defendant was liable for defamation, defamation per se, false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Within hours, the jury reached a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, Pastore LLC’s client, on all counts and all questions tendered to the jury. The jury awarded substantial monetary damages and punitive damages finding the defendant’s conduct to be wanton, willful and malicious. Pastore LLC’s Joseph M. Pastore III, Melissa Rose McClammy and Tyler W. Rutherford represented the private equity investor in the case.

Pastore LLC Advises on $350 Million Notes Offering

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Pastore LLC was retained by a national insurance broker in connection with a $350 million Notes offering by Bank of America. Pastore LLC served as counsel in Connecticut for the transaction. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as New York counsel. Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP represented Bank of America. Pastore LLC delivered analysis and guidance on the corporate structure of entities involved with the transaction. The transaction was led in Connecticut by Pastore LLC’s transactional group. Joseph M. Pastore III, Paul Fenaroli, and Summer Associate Ryan Mennitt from Tulane University Law School assisted with the matter.

Pastore advises on purchase of 4 parcels of land in middle country Greenwich

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Pastore LLC represented the purchasing entities on three parcels of land on North Street in Greenwich, which are contiguous with a pre-existing parcel. This allowed the purchasing entities to combine all four parcels. The transaction involved a sale by a real estate fund based in Connecticut and the equitable redemption of a strict foreclosure. Pastore LLC’s real estate practice and corporate transactional practice led the transaction. George Toper, Tyler W. Rutherford, Joseph M. Pastore III and Paul Fenaroli assisted with the matter from Pastore LLC. Day Pitney LLP represented the sellers and Diserio Martin O’Connor & Castiglioni LLP advised the sellers on the foreclosure issues.

Understanding the FTC’s New “Click-to-Cancel” Rule

Posted on by Kelly McElroy

The Federal Trade Commission’s newly finalized Click-to-Cancel rule, part of its amendment to the Negative Option Rule, significantly raises the bar for businesses offering subscriptions, memberships, and other recurring billing arrangements. The goal: eliminate the common barriers consumers face when trying to cancel ongoing charges. The rule goes into effect on May 14, 2025, and brings with it several compliance requirements that demand immediate attention.

What the Rule Requires

The Click-to-Cancel rule applies to any business using a “negative option” feature—that is, any offer that interprets a consumer’s silence or inaction as consent to be charged. Key requirements include:

  • Equal Ease of Cancellation: Businesses must allow consumers to cancel subscriptions using the same method they used to sign up. If a consumer enrolls online, they must be able to cancel online—without needing to call or speak with an agent.
  • No Retention Roadblocks: Businesses may not use lengthy scripts, mandatory surveys, or multiple screens designed to delay or dissuade cancellation. Retention offers must be expressly agreed to by the consumer before being presented.
  • Clear and Conspicuous Disclosures: Before charging a customer, businesses must clearly disclose:
    • The fact that the charge is recurring;
    • The frequency and amount of charges;
    • The deadline to cancel to avoid being charged;
    • The specific cancellation mechanism.
  • Affirmative Informed Consent: Companies must obtain explicit, informed consent to all material terms—including the recurring nature of the agreement—before charging the consumer. Consent must be separate and unambiguous, not hidden in general terms and conditions.
  • Recordkeeping and Compliance: Businesses must maintain proof of consent and cancellation mechanisms, along with compliance procedures, for at least three years.

What This Means for Your Business

The FTC has made clear that enforcement will be active and aggressive. Civil penalties for non-compliance can exceed $50,000 per violation, and failure to comply could also expose companies to state-level enforcement or private class actions.

This rule affects not only traditional subscription services but also streaming platforms, software-as-a-service (SaaS) businesses, membership organizations, mobile apps, and any business using continuity billing models. If your cancellation process requires more than a few clicks—or if your sign-up process is clearer than your termination flow—you may already be at risk.

 

How Pastore LLC Can Help

Pastore LLC works with clients in regulated industries, tech, fitness and consumer services to help implement compliant billing and subscription structures. Our attorneys assist with:

  • Auditing current enrollment and cancellation flows;
  • Drafting compliant disclosures and consent language;
  • Advising on recordkeeping practices and enforcement exposure;
  • Defending businesses facing FTC scrutiny or consumer claims.

As enforcement approaches, a proactive review of your subscription workflows is not only prudent—it is essential. We can help your legal, marketing, and tech teams align on a compliance strategy that minimizes disruption while satisfying the FTC’s new requirements.

Contact us to schedule a compliance review or learn more about implementing a cancellation process that meets federal standards.

 

Pastore LLC Resolves Equity Dispute in Connection with Seven-Figure Company Sale

Posted on by Kelly McElroy

Pastore LLC recently secured a favorable settlement for a client involved in a partnership dispute regarding his equity in a Connecticut company he co-founded. The disagreement was resolved in connection with the seven-figure sale of the business.

Our client’s interest in the company was challenged during the negotiation of the sale, prompting a dispute over ownership and entitlement to proceeds. Pastore LLC intervened quickly, applying strategic pressure to protect our client’s equity position and ensure a just resolution in connection with the transaction’s close.

This matter highlights our firm’s strength in resolving high-stakes partnership and equity disputes.  If your ownership rights or equity interests are being challenged, Pastore LLC stands ready to protect your position and deliver results.

Pastore LCC Claims Jury Trial Was Wrongfully Denied

Posted on by Kelly McElroy

Pastore LLC represents a co-founder of an investment firm in challenging a $10.4 million judgment in Connecticut superior court, arguing that the trial court improperly denied his right to a jury trial. The dispute centers on whether both parties had provided mutual written consent to a jury trial before the court unilaterally removed the case from the jury docket in February 2023. The plaintiffs, who initially sought a jury trial, later withdrew their claim and secured a bench trial verdict in August 2023.

Pastore LLC argued to the Connecticut appellate court in February that the trial court’s decision was both legally unprecedented and prejudicial, as it deprived the defendant of due process. The firm contends that the plaintiffs leveraged the procedural misstep to avoid a jury trial, after previously failing to secure a favorable outcome in federal court on similar claims, a jury trial won by Pastore in 2019.

The appeal remains under review by the Connecticut Appellate Court