People
Andrew M. Zeitlin

Andrew M. Zeitlin

he/him/his

Partner

Andrew Zeitlin is co-chair of Shipman's Litigation Department, practicing in the areas of business litigation and creditors’ rights. Andrew is an experienced litigator who collaborates with clients, helping them achieve their goals efficiently while minimizing any disruption to their business. He is frequently called on to represent clients in complex, high stakes (“bet the company”) disputes. Andrew litigates a wide variety of matters, including business torts (such as claims of breach of fiduciary duty or unfair trade practices), intellectual property disputes, business divorce litigation, breach of contract matters, and data privacy claims.

Andrew’s clients include large multinational corporations, small business entities, banks and individuals. He represents research and advisory firms, healthcare service companies and manufacturing clients, among others.

Andrew is proud of his work in the community and his pro bono work, and he frequently uses his lawyering skills on behalf of others. He serves on the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford, an organization that strives to provide a positive place for kids and a safe haven where young people can learn and have fun, and he chairs the Ethics Board of the Village of Rye Brook, New York. He formerly served on the boards of the Connecticut Children's Medical Center and the Brandeis University Alumni Association. Previously, Andrew coordinated Shipman’s pro bono program assisting Holocaust survivors in applying for pensions from the German government.

Credentials

Education

University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1994
Brandeis University, B.A., 1990, magna cum laude
Cambridge University, Queens College, 1988-1989

Bar Admissions

New York
Connecticut

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of NY
U.S. District Court, Southern District of NY
U.S. District Court, District of CT
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Distinctions

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2022-2025); Commercial Litigation (2025)
Listed in Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial (2024)
Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer®: Business Litigation (2013-2024)
Comparative Labor Law Journal, Editor-in-Chief (1993-1994)
AV Preeminent® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
American Bar Foundation: Fellow

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association: Section of Litigation, Co-Chair of Unfair Trade Practices Subcommittee
Fairfield County Bar Association: President (2013-2014); Vice President (2012-2013)
Connecticut Bar Association
Federal Bar Council American Inn of Court: Barrister

Community Involvement

Coordinated firm's pro bono program assisting Holocaust survivors apply for pensions from German government
Board President of the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford
Connecticut Children's Medical Center: Board of Directors
United Way of Western Connecticut: Board of Directors (2003-2014)
Village of Rye Brook, New York: Chair, Ethics Board
Blind Brook School District of Rye Brook, New York: Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee (2010-2011)
Brandeis University Alumni Association: Board of Directors
Brandeis University Alumni Club of Westchester County: President (2011-2016)
Brandeis University Alumni Club of New York City: Lawyers Network Committee

Experience

Bankruptcy and creditors' rights litigation

Letter of Intent Dispute

Represented healthcare management firm in adversary proceeding commenced in United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York. Action involved claim that defendant breached letter of intent to acquire plaintiff's business.

Foreclosure/Bankruptcy Action for Bank

Obtained judgment of strict foreclosure on behalf of bank whose customer operated gas station, convenience store and car wash. Obtained relief from stay in related Bankruptcy Court litigation, enabling bank to complete foreclosure action.

Foreclosure of Trust Property

Obtained judgment of strict foreclosure, following five-day trial, on behalf of bank, foreclosing mortgages on trust property located in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Successfully defeated affirmative defense alleging breach of fiduciary duty.

Replevin Action for Bank

Obtained a prejudgment order of replevin, followed by a judgment, in favor of a bank whose customer, a boat dealership, defaulted in connection with a floorplan financing arrangement. As a result of the replevin order, the bank was able to secure possession -- and subsequently liquidate -- its collateral, consisting of eight boats in Connecticut.

Business tort/commercial litigation

Shareholder Dispute Involving Closely Held Corporation

Represented shareholder of closely held corporation in action involving claims and counterclaims asserting breach of fiduciary duty, breach of shareholder's agreeemnt, usurpation of corporate opportunity, and violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Trade Secrets

Defended large pharmacy retailer against misappropriation of trade secrets claim relating to purported secret process involving sales at retail locations. Convinced plaintiff to agree prior to completion of discovery, to dismiss lawsuit with prejudice after sending demand letter identifying facts that were fatal to plaintiffs claims.

Breach of Contract Dispute

Obtained judgment, affirmed on appeal, for breach of contract and related claims, based on defendant's failure to pay fees owed to provider of accounting software and services.

Awarded Summary Judgment in High Stakes Case for Global Technology Research and Advisory Firm

Awarded summary judgment, affirmed by a unanimous decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court, on behalf of a global technology research firm who was sued for defamation and unfair trade practices. The plaintiff alleged, in substance, that statements made by our client in a research report were defamatory and motivated by a “pay-to-play” business model which rewarded vendors who purchased substantial services from our client and punished those who did not. After the trial court granted our motion for summary judgment dismissing the lawsuit, the plaintiff appealed. The Connecticut Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the trial court’s dismissal, holding that the statements in the report were non-actionable expressions of opinion, and that no credible evidence existed to support the pay-to-play argument made by the plaintiff.

Load More +

Mergers, acquisitions & joint ventures

Business Divorce

Successfully navigated and achieved a business divorce and liquidity event on behalf of the leading principals of a well-known privately held athletic facility, by structuring and implementing an exit strategy on favorable terms for the selling members, despite complicated provisions in the various entities’ operating agreements and other factors that made it very difficult for the clients to exit the business.

Real estate

Defeated PJR Application in Real Estate Dispute for Bank

Successfully represented our clients in defense of an application for a prejudgment remedy (PJR) filed by a real estate broker who sought a $1.9 million attachment against them. The broker claimed that he produced a ready, willing and able buyer for the commercial real estate portfolio being sold by our clients.

The judge denied the PJR application, finding that the broker was likely aware that the individual agent who signed the listing agreement did not have the authority to bind the corporate entities, which had been in litigation with the agent for several years immediately prior to the signing of the listing agreement.

Real Estate Dispute

Obtained summary judgment, enabling prospective purchasers of property to recover downpayment, where sellers entered into easement agreement, with third party, after contracting to sell property.

October 9, 2024