“As we all know, just mentioning Adam Leitman Bailey represents the building will make a lot of people run, and that’s a good thing!” Milla Slertman, Client for over 10 years, Board of Directors of a Condominium
My name is Mila, and I work in real estate for Compass. I’m also the board president of my condo in Harlem. I was introduced to Adam Leitman Bailey by a management firm called Cooper Square, which later merged with First Service Residential. At the time, our building was in complete disarray, and we urgently needed strong legal representation. The management firm recommended Adam, so I had a phone conversation with him and later met him in person. There was an immediate connection, and we’ve been working with Adam and his team now for close to 10 years.
As many know, just mentioning that Adam Leitman Bailey represents your building is enough to make people take notice—or run. That’s a good thing. His team is absolutely incredible. They leave no stone unturned, they’re available 24/7, and every case they’ve handled for us has been executed flawlessly.
Our building is Harlem’s very first condo conversion. It used to be a rental property, and the sponsor still owns six or seven units. He also managed the building until the mid-1990s. When I moved in around 2008, there were no house rules, no alteration agreements—nothing was in place. On top of that, there were three units where the owners weren’t paying their monthly fees, which caused a huge financial strain on the building and all the other owners. Assessments were piling up, and nothing was being done.
Finally, we decided to take action. We handed over two foreclosure cases to Adam and his team. The result? The building walked away with $300,000 in profit after the cases were resolved. It was a game-changer.
To say I admire Adam is an understatement—I’m a bit of a silent stalker on his social media and LinkedIn because I think he’s absolutely brilliant. What sets Adam apart from most lawyers—and I’ve worked with plenty in real estate—is his passion and heart. That’s what drives him, and it’s something I’ve always respected about him. He’s also tough and doesn’t mess around. Unfortunately, I’ve never seen him in court, though it’s a dream of mine to watch him in action one day. When he’s involved in a case, even briefly, his presence makes all the difference.
Adam’s approach goes beyond being aggressive, though that’s certainly part of it—because in New York, you have to be. What truly sets him apart is his diverse background and experience, which have shaped him into the kind of lawyer who always puts his clients first. He’s honest, direct, and relentless. If he believes in something, he’ll say it, and he won’t stop until the job is done.
Jackie, one of Adam’s team members, handled our foreclosures. The first time I met her was at the courthouse. She walked into the courtroom like she owned it—it was a total slam dunk. The room was full of sharks, and she just commanded respect. It was incredible to witness. Then there’s Courtney. When Courtney is on a case, she wins—that’s what she does. If you need something done, you go with Adam and his team.
One of the things that truly sets Adam apart is his thoughtfulness. During the COVID lockdown, when everyone was miserable, Adam called me out of the blue—just to check in. We ended up chatting for half an hour about Netflix and life in general. Honestly, who does that? It just shows how much he cares. There are so many layers to him.
I also have to talk about Colin. He handled a particularly tricky case for us, where I had to testify. I was nervous about the situation, as it involved testifying against my neighbors. When I met Colin, I immediately thought, “That’s Iceman right there.” He’s calm, composed, and laser-focused. In court, he was like a soldier preparing for battle—walking back and forth with a stone-cold focus. He delivered a victory that exceeded all our expectations. Watching him work was fascinating, and I felt so grateful he was on our side.
Overall, Adam’s firm is exceptional. One of the things I appreciate most is the continuity of the team. Many of the same people have been there for years, which speaks volumes about the firm’s culture and leadership. If you want results, if you want someone who truly cares and will go above and beyond, you go with Adam Leitman Bailey. You won’t regret it.