Commercial Collections Attorney
A Collection Agency Attorney for Businesses Owed Money
When a business owes you money and won’t pay, the debt does not collect itself. Whether you are still trying to recover on an unpaid invoice or you have already won a judgment a business is ignoring, Katz Melinger PLLC helps creditors in New York and New Jersey turn what they are owed into actual recovery.
Many companies first send overdue accounts to a collection agency. An agency can call and write, but it cannot sue. As your debt collection attorney, we can send a demand on law firm letterhead, file suit in New York or New Jersey, win a judgment and enforce it.
Our attorneys handle commercial debt matters at every stage, from the first demand letter through litigation to the enforcement tools available under New York and New Jersey law, with a single focus: getting our clients paid.
We represent creditors, the individuals and businesses owed money, not debtors defending against collection.
How a Commercial Collections Attorney Recovers Your Debt
Collecting a commercial debt is rarely a single step. We guide clients through as much of the process as their situation requires.
Demand and Pre-litigation
Often the fastest path to recovery comes before a lawsuit is ever filed. We send formal demands, open negotiations, and pursue settlement where it makes sense, putting real legal weight behind the demand so the debtor understands the alternative.
Litigation to Obtain a Judgment
When a business refuses to pay, we file suit to reduce the debt to a judgment, the court's official recognition that the money is owed. We handle breach-of-contract and commercial debt claims in the New York and New Jersey courts, building the strongest possible case.
Post-judgment Enforcement
Winning a judgment is important, but it does not always mean the company will voluntarily pay. Businesses may delay, ignore the judgment, hide assets, or simply refuse to cooperate. This is where many creditors get stuck, and where we do some of our most important work, using the full range of enforcement tools to convert a paper judgment into real payment.
Enforcement tools under New York and New Jersey law
Once you hold a judgment, New York and New Jersey law give creditors powerful tools to collect. We use them strategically based on what the debtor has and where it is:
Information subpoenas and post-judgment discovery:
compelling the debtor (and third parties like banks) to disclose assets, accounts, and income.
Restraining notices:
freezing a debtor's bank accounts and assets so they cannot be moved or hidden.
Bank and property levies or executions:
directing a marshal or sheriff to seize funds or property to satisfy the judgment.
Turnover proceedings:
court orders forcing a debtor or third party holding the debtor's assets to turn them over.
Receiverships:
in appropriate cases, having a receiver appointed to take control of a debtor's assets or business.
Pursuing hidden or transferred assets:
challenging fraudulent transfers where a debtor moves assets to avoid paying.
Won a judgment in another state?
If you obtained a judgment outside New York or New Jersey and the debtor has assets in either state, you generally cannot enforce it directly. The judgment first has to be recognized (“domesticated”) where the assets are. We help out-of-state creditors domesticate their judgments and pursue the debtor’s New York and New Jersey assets so a win elsewhere does not become a dead end.
The matters we handle
- Unpaid invoices for goods or services
- Collecting on judgments in employment matters
- Breach of commercial contracts
- Defaulted loans, promissory notes, and personal guaranties
- Business-to-business debt disputes
- Collecting on judgments a business refuses to pay
- Enforcing and domesticating out-of-state judgments against New York and New Jersey assets
Why creditors choose Katz Melinger
- We represent creditors: our focus is entirely on recovering what you are owed.
- Admitted in New York and New Jersey: we pursue collection in both states’ courts.
- Full-lifecycle capability: from demand through litigation through enforcement, so you are not handing the case off at each stage.
- 20+ years of experience in litigation, creditors’ rights, and judgment enforcement.
Practical strategy: we pursue the fastest realistic path to recovery.
- Free consultation: we will honestly assess your options and the likelihood of collecting.
Our Attorneys
Experienced. Dedicated. On Your Side.
Managing Partner
Kenneth J. Katz
“I built this firm to give workers and businesses the same legal firepower as the companies that wronged them.”
Partner
Nicole D. Grunfeld
Focuses on discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation — and has a track record of winning.
Partner
Adam J. Sackowitz
Handles commercial judgment enforcement, commercial collections and asset recovery proceedings.
What the people we help are saying about us
Google Reviews
Gvantsa Bitsadze
I had the privilege of being represented by Adam Sackowitz and their team at Katz Melinger, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. They took on my case against my employer for unpaid wages, and their expertise and dedication
Chris Bejar
Katz Melinger went above and beyond. Adam is very knowledgeable and a master in his field. After working at a company for close to ten years, it unexpectedly came to an end. Fortunately, I contacted Katz Melinger and spoke with
Elizabeth Hatt
I’ve worked with Kenneth at Katz Melinger a couple of times when I’ve needed legal advice, and couldn’t recommend him more. He is professional, responsive, and very thorough. Always takes the time to make sure I fully understand the situation
Francesco Tomaselli
I can only recommend this firm for the professionalism and competence they showed while dealing with my case. The whole team has been supportive from day one. Special thanks to Adam who led the efforts and managed to recover 100%
Darrell Prinsell
Great Firm. Adam is amazing. If you are looking for a firm to fight on your behalf, to represent your rights and most importantly get the just results you deserve, these are the folks you should be talking too!!
Sabrina Murphy
Kenneth Katz was experienced with a legal topic I had never navigated. He was clear and concise and responded to all of my inquiries right away. This helped put me at ease and helped me close up an legal matter
Tanika Mills
Everyone I’ve encountered while dealing with this firm was amazing! Very knowledgeable with excellent communication/updates every step of the way. 10/10 would definitely recommend
Paul Chered
I had the privilege of engaging the services of Katz Melinger’s legal team in an employment arbitration case. First and foremost, the level of expertise and knowledge displayed by the attorneys is very impressive. Their in-depth understanding of employment laws
Gene GL DePrez
Had a great experience with Katz Melinger PLLC. Empathetic, responsive, and comprehensive legal support in pursuing our claim.
Peter Gassiraro
Katz Melinger represented us as defendants in a commercial contract dispute that was brought to New York Civil Court. Their professionalism and skill in resolving the matter was commendable.
Jason Caceres
I can’t say enough wonderful and thankful things about the team at Katz Melinger PLCC especially with the help of Adam Sackowitz with his amazing work,professionalism,advise and dedication together with Vanessa Ueoka . They really care for their clients go
Endri Alb
Had a case for my dad and the case was opened and closed within 1 year!!! A very similar case(my father’s coworker) is still open with a different firm and this is the third year. Katherine Morales was AMAZING and
Results vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Common questions our clients often ask
What Is the Difference Between a Collection Agency Attorney and a Collection Agency?
A collection agency contacts debtors and tries to persuade them to pay, but it cannot file a lawsuit or take legal action. A collection agency attorney can negotiate, sue, obtain a court judgment and enforce it to recover what is owed. When a debtor ignores informal collection efforts, that difference matters.
How long does it take to collect a commercial debt?
It depends on whether the debtor pays after a demand, contests the case in court, or hides assets. Some debts resolve in weeks through negotiation; contested matters and difficult enforcement can take longer. We give you a realistic assessment up front.
What if the business has no assets, or is hiding them?
Recovery is harder when a debtor has few assets, but not always impossible. Through post-judgment discovery, information subpoenas, and fraudulent-transfer claims, we work to locate assets a debtor may be concealing or improperly moving.
Can I collect a judgment I won in another state?
Often yes, but the judgment usually must first be domesticated in New York or New Jersey before you can reach the debtor’s assets there. We handle that process in both states.
Can I pursue the business owners personally?
Sometimes. For example, where there is a personal guaranty, or where the facts support piercing the corporate veil, we evaluate whether the individuals behind the business can be held responsible.
Do You Collect Consumer Debts?
No. Our firm represents businesses and creditors collecting commercial debts owed by other businesses. We do not collect consumer debts such as credit cards or medical bills.