Firm Client Avi Dorfman Recognized as Member of Compass Founding Team in Settlement

November 23, 2021

After a seven-year legal battle, firm client Avi Dorfman settled his claims against real estate brokerage Compass (NYSE: COMP) with the company acknowledging Dorfman's role as a founding team member. Financial terms of the settlement are confidential. Compass publicly announced in its Q3 2021 earnings release that it has taken a $21 million legal charge in connection with the settlement (in addition to a previously undisclosed reserve for the litigation and other liabilities).

Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler LLP originally filed Dorfman's case in New York State Supreme Court in 2014. Susman Godfrey LLP and Ganfer Shore Leeds & Zauderer LLP were co-counsel for Dorfman.

"This case highlights Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler's ongoing role representing founders, partners and companies in disputes relating to the origin and ownership of highly successful business ventures," said the firm's founder and managing partner, Jonathan Harris, who is quoted in a recent TechCrunch article spotlighting these disputes.

The Real Deal covered Dorfman's lawsuit when it was filed, and also wrote about the settlement. 

Harris served as the firm’s lead counsel to Dorfman. He was joined by Yonaton Aronoff and Megan Dubatowka, along with associate Marilyn Yuan and other firm attorneys and staff over the course of the seven-year battle.