Christopher M. Tarnok
Partner
EDUCATION
J.D., St. John’s University School of Law, 2008
B.S., St. John’s University, 2004
BAR ADMISSIONS
New York State Bar, 2009
United States District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts, 2010
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Member of the Real Property Section
PRACTICE AREAS
Christopher M. Tarnok is a partner of the firm whose practice focuses on construction law, real estate law, and commercial matters throughout New York City. Mr. Tarnok represents developers, property owners, condominium and cooperative boards, architects, contractors, and design professionals in both transactional and litigation-related construction matters. His practice is particularly focused on construction agreements, access agreements, RPAPL § 881 proceedings, construction risk management, and dispute avoidance strategies for residential and commercial development projects.
Mr. Tarnok regularly advises clients on the preparation and negotiation of construction contracts and related project agreements for high-end residential construction, condominium and cooperative apartment renovations, townhouse gut renovations, commercial build-outs, façade and Local Law 11/FISP work, and building maintenance and repair projects throughout New York City.
In addition to his transactional practice, Mr. Tarnok counsels clients in connection with construction litigation, commercial litigation, mechanic’s lien foreclosure and discharge actions, commercial lease disputes, and access disputes arising under RPAPL § 881. His litigation background provides him with a practical and strategic perspective in structuring agreements and resolving disputes efficiently before they escalate into protracted litigation. He also frequently serves as special construction counsel to general counsel, property managers, and management teams in navigating complex construction and access-related issues.
Mr. Tarnok is a frequent speaker and panelist on construction access agreements, RPAPL § 881 proceedings, façade compliance matters, and construction-related risk management. He has served as a panelist at the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s “A Night With the NYC DOB” program (September 2025), the SiteCompli Real Focus 2025 event (October 2025), Saheb Architecture PLLC’s “Unlocking Value: FISP/LL11, Economic Incentives & Access Agreements” webinar (January 2026), and the CooperatorNews Learning Hub session, “Access Agreements: The Who, Why, What, When, Where and Hows” (April 2026). Mr. Tarnok has also been cited and quoted in numerous industry publications and articles, including those published by CooperatorNews and Brick Underground, on topics involving construction access agreements, condominium and cooperative issues, and New York City construction law.
HONORS & RECOGNITIONS
The Best Lawyers in America® (2024-2027)
Super Lawyers, New York Metro Super Lawyer (2023-2026)
Super Lawyers, New York Metro Rising Star (2015-2022)
