Defense against NYC administrative summonses and hearings at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and the Environmental Control Board (ECB), including DOB, DSNY, DOHMH, and other agency violations.
Overview
The basics, what we do, and the issues we see most.
Quick Answer
Property owners, businesses, contractors, and individuals who received an administrative summons from a NYC agency and must respond at an OATH/ECB hearing. We handle the response, represent you at the hearing, and work to reduce penalties or have the summons dismissed where the facts support it.
We respond to NYC administrative summonses and represent respondents at OATH/ECB hearings. Here is what representation typically includes.
Who we help
Every case handled directly by the attorney you speak with at intake.
DOB, FDNY, DEP, and DSNY citations across residential and mixed-use buildings.
Work-without-permit, stop-work orders, and post-completion inspections.
DOHMH letter-grade hearings, FDNY summonses, and agency licensing matters.
Façade, elevator, and building-wide compliance summonses and inspections.
How we handle your case
The same attorney handles your matter from intake through hearing and closeout.
Step 1 of 5
Step 2 of 5
Step 3 of 5
Step 4 of 5
Step 5 of 5
Frequently asked
Direct answers from the attorney who handles these matters.
Most asked
OATH is an administrative tribunal, not a criminal or civil court. It hears summonses issued by city agencies for regulatory violations, decided under a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard. Hearings are typically shorter and less formal, but penalties and default judgments are still enforceable.
Question 2
Failing to respond usually results in a default judgment at the maximum penalty, plus a possible default surcharge. You generally have a limited window to move to vacate the default by showing a reasonable excuse and a defense. After that window, options narrow, so acting promptly matters.
Question 3
Many OATH/ECB matters offer hearings by phone or online, so in-person appearance is often not required. We can appear on your behalf and keep you updated on the outcome.
Question 4
Yes, summonses can be dismissed when the agency's paperwork is defective, the inspector cannot support the allegation, or a proper defense applies. Outcomes depend on the specific facts, so we review the summons before advising on strategy.
Guides & resources
Articles and tools updated as NYC rules change.
Resources
Free, official resources from The Law Office of Anthony Sharnov — look up your situation before you call.
Find the traffic court, criminal court, and District Attorney for any New York county — with official contact info.
Estimate the DMV points a ticket adds to your license, and search the Vehicle & Traffic Law.
Search the New York Penal Law by section, offense, or keyword.
Plain-language guides on traffic tickets, criminal charges, points, and summonses across New York.
Free case review
Deadlines on OATH/ECB summonses are short. Call 917-476-7666 for a free summons review, with service in English, Spanish, Russian, Georgian, and Uzbek.
Same-day response
During business hours
Direct attorney access
Same lawyer from intake to close
Transparent pricing
Fees quoted up front