Atty. Mark I. Zelko
Mark Zelko focuses his practice on litigation, dispute resolution, construction and development, and real estate transactions and management. Mark serves as East Coast Chair of the Construction Practice Group.
Commercial & More Attorney · Serving New York, NY · 30+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Mark I. Zelko at a Glance
Mark I. Zelko is a Partner based in New York, New York, practicing at Leech Tishman. They have 30+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1996. Their practice focuses on business, real estate, construction, litigation, and entertainment. Admitted to practice in New York (1996), U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (1999), and U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (1999). Educated at Boston University (J.D., 1995) and Boston University (B.A., 1992). Serves clients in New York, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Mark I. Zelko
- Mark Zelko focuses his practice on litigation, dispute resolution, construction and development, and real estate transactions and management
- Mark serves as East Coast Chair of the Construction Practice Group
- For over 25 years, Mark has practiced in the areas of complex commercial and shareholder litigation, construction law, real estate, and commercial transactions
- He has counseled and represented clients in a broad range of industries ranging from multinational Fortune 500 and publicly-traded companies to start-up ventures and small businesses
- Given his extensive litigation & transactional experience, Mark often serves as outside general counsel to his clients
- Mark works closely with his clients as soon as potential litigation emerges to resolve claims within the client’s fiscal constraints and business objectives
- His experience in complex litigation provides him with a unique perspective and invaluable insight in negotiating construction, real estate, and commercial transactions for his clients so that they may avoid transactional pitfalls and reduce the risk of adverse litigation in these ventures
- Mark has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts, appellate courts, and in arbitration proceedings and mediation
- In his litigation practice, he focuses on complex commercial and shareholder litigation matters, including construction litigation, shareholder derivative actions in closely held corporations, “business divorce” and partnership disputes, breach of contract claims, and commercial lease actions
- In his construction practice, Mark routinely represents developers, property owners, general contractors and subcontractors, and utilizes this wide experience to counsel his clients so that they may confidently navigate the challenges and risks of each project
- He advises clients in all aspects of construction during the course of their projects, including change order issues, delays, non-payment claims and liens, defective construction, project close-out issues, and termination
- Mark also counsels project owners and adjacent owners regarding access to neighboring properties for construction projects and negotiates license agreements for access and protection under the RPAPL §881 framework
- In the arena of construction litigation, Mark has litigated a myriad of construction matters, including defective construction, delay damages, lien and payment disputes, trust fund diversion claims, improper underpinning of adjacent buildings and RPAPL §881 actions for access to and protection of adjacent properties during construction
- Mark 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
Practice Areas Explained
Mark I. Zelko's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Mark I. Zelko handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in New York.
Business & Corporate Law in New York
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Mark I. Zelko is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in New York →
Real Estate Law in New York
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Mark I. Zelko is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in New York →
Construction Law in New York
Mark I. Zelko is one of 40,302 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in New York →
Civil Litigation in New York
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Mark I. Zelko is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in New York →
Entertainment & Sports Law in New York
Entertainment lawyers for music, film, sports contracts, talent representation, and IP licensing.
Mark I. Zelko is one of 45,619 entertainment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse entertainment attorneys in New York →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in New York
Practicing law in New York. Legal matters in New York are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in New York are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New York state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New York brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New York courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
New York Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a New York-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
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Common Questions About Mark I. Zelko
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in New York Choose Mark I. Zelko
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Mark I. Zelko's practice in the field of business, real estate, construction, litigation, and entertainment.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Mark I. Zelko brings 30+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in New York, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, and U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, Mark I. Zelko can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering business, real estate, and construction, Mark I. Zelko can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in New York
A New York-based practice means Mark I. Zelko attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Mark I. Zelko Handles in New York
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Mark I. Zelko has experience with under New York law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Mark I. Zelko directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Mark I. Zelko Online
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Mark I. Zelko's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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