Benjamin Argyle concentrates his practice on efficient and effective dispute management. As an accomplished commercial litigator, Benjamin works with clients in a variety of industries, including financial services, food and agriculture, healthcare, government contractors, insurance, nonprofit, government, and construction. He regularly appears in state and federal courts in insurance, class action, construction, and commercial dispute proceedings.
Benjamin has also advised clients and written extensively on New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). His recommendations for amending the FOIL statute have been introduced as bills in the New York State Assembly and Senate.
Prosecuted, as lead trial counsel for a religious nonprofit property owner, a multi-party construction arbitration that resulted in a 94% reduction in contractor’s claims and an apology to the client from the contractor on the witness stand
Secured a nearly $30 million judgment on an unpaid promissory note, affirmed on appeal. International Fin. Grp. v. Hambrecht, 162 N.Y.S.3d 725 (1st Dep’t 2022)
Secured dismissal of all claims, and sanctions against party bringing them, on behalf of a religious corporation client
Representing a shipping logistics company in an arbitration with claims regarding a vendor’s failed software development
Defending a major producer of poultry products against putative antitrust class action, opt-out, and attorney general lawsuits in multiple venues, alleging illegal price-fixing conspiracies in the poultry industry
Successfully defended a state agency against breach of contract and tort claims brought by a disaster recovery vendor. ProSource Technologies, LLC v. Housing Trust Fund Corp., No. 5972-14, 2015 WL 5797028 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Comm. Div. Oct. 2, 2015)
Defeated an emergency injunction, and secured complete dismissal of the entire action, for a prominent equipment rental company, in connection with a government bid protest
Successfully prosecuted and defended against multiple lis pendens and mechanics' lien disputes, and the underlying breach of construction contract claims, for claims ranging from $500 to $30 million
Part of a cross-office litigation team that represented generic pharmaceutical companies against multidistrict antitrust class action lawsuits alleging price-fixing claims under the Sherman Act
Successfully drove, structured, and negotiated a favorable settlement for a private equity fund's portfolio company, where suit was brought over a contract dispute conveniently timed with the company's latest round of funding
Defended a trustee in a will interpretation dispute in the New York Surrogate's Court
Outside counsel to religious and cultural not-for-profits in resolving real estate development and construction disputes
Insurance Matters
Counsels construction industry clients on coverage under builders’ all-risk insurance policies, particularly as to LEG-03 and similar exclusions
Representing a maritime parts manufacturer in an insurance “historical lost policy” coverage dispute seeking coverage for 60+-year-old asbestos claims
Devises coverage arguments and claims strategies for clients on business interruption and similar coverages for losses caused by coronavirus
Provides coverage analyses on the intersection of general liability, builders’ all-risk, property and casualty, and professional malpractice insurance portfolios
Insights
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Thought Leadership
May 04, 2021
Is Remote Notarization Here to Stay? New York Legislature Inches Toward Making COVID-19 Emergency Procedures Permanent