John M. Desiderio

John M. Desiderio is a New York City real estate litigation attorney, partner, and chair of his firm’s Real Estate Litigation Practice Group. He has practiced for more than 40 years and concentrates on cooperative and condominium representation, title disputes, mortgage foreclosures, and commercial and residential landlord-tenant litigation. His practice also includes antitrust counseling, trade regulation matters, and Americans with Disabilities Act defense.

Desiderio earned his A.B. from Fordham University, his LL.B. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and his LL.M. from New York University School of Law. He also served as a captain in US Army Intelligence. His education and military service strengthened his analytical judgment, discipline, and ability to manage complicated disputes involving property rights, contracts, regulations, and business relationships.

Desiderio previously served as an Assistant New York State Attorney General and led the Attorney General’s Anti-Monopolies Bureau. He later represented clients in antitrust, civil RICO, real estate, and general civil litigation. His experience includes trials, appeals, and depositions in New York state and federal courts. He has handled disputes involving property title, sales contracts, habitability obligations, tenancy conditions, construction warranties, and cooperative or condominium conversions.

John M. Desiderio holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected to New York Metro Super Lawyers. He served on the First Department’s Departmental Disciplinary Committee from 2014 through 2016. His professional leadership includes roles in New York bar committees addressing real property, condominium, cooperative, antitrust, and trade regulation law. He has also written extensively about commercial leasing, real estate, antitrust, and food and drug law.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Adam Leitman Bailey P.C.
• Member, New York State Bar Association, Real Property Law Section
• Past Chair, New York County Lawyers Association Committee on Trade Regulation
• Member of the Board of Governors, Columbus Citizens Foundation, Inc

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• New York University School of Law
  Master of Laws (LLM)
• University of Pennsylvania Law School
  Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
• Fordham University
  AB

Awards & Badges