Barry Black

Barry Black | partner

212-382-4303   

Barry Black has practiced primarily in the fields of civil and criminal litigation, contract negotiation and dispute resolution.

Mr. Black has focused much of his law practice on religious institutions and clergy, from employment and governance issues to litigation, alternative dispute resolution and First Amendment advocacy.  He has extensive knowledge of and experience with administration and governance issues.  He has represented religious organizations and associations of various faiths and denominations, and provided counsel to municipal and corporate clients on matters connected with the First Amendment and Religion Law.  He has counseled and represented both religious institutions and ministers on clergy-related issues, from parsonage and tax matters to intraorganizational disputes.

A former litigation partner at a New York City law firm, Mr. Black’s clients have ranged from municipalities and banking institutions to corporations involved in international litigation.  Mr. Black is experienced in trial and post-verdict litigation.

Mr. Black is the Religion Law columnist for the New York Law Journal.

Education

• Hofstra University, B.B.A. 1991
• Hofstra University School of Law, J.D. 1994

Bar Admissions

• New York State
• United States District Court, Southern District of New York
• United States District Court, Eastern District of New York

Publications

• “Security for Houses of Worship: The Law, and Practical Steps To Take,” New York Law Journal (2020)
• “Hiring and Firing Clergy of Congregational Houses of Worship,” New York Law Journal (2019)
• “How Courts Paved the Way for the Eruv,” New York Law Journal (2019)
• “Religious Institutions and Trustees: An Unorthodox Relationship,” New York Law Journal (2018)
• “Religious Accommodations: How Far Must Employers Go?,” New York Law Journal (2018)
• “When #MeToo Leads to Litigation Against the Church,” New York Law Journal (2018)
• “Congregations Transferring Real Estate: When is Court Approval Needed?,” New York Law Journal (2018)
• “Exceptions and Exclusions Benefit Religious Institutions and Clergy,” New York Law Journal (2017)
• “When Can State Courts Decide Religious Disputes?,” New York Law Journal (2017)
• “Congregations Transferring Real Estate: When Is Court Approval Needed?,” New York Law Journal (2017)