Andreas Koutsoudakis is a Partner, litigation attorney, and Co-Chair of the Hospitality & Restaurant law group for Davidoff Hutcher & Citron’s New York City office.
Andreas Koutsoudakis is a seasoned litigator and trusted legal advisor, representing business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs in complex commercial disputes, business divorces, and employment litigation. As Partner and Chair of the Restaurant & Hospitality Group at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, he leverages his deep industry experience to provide strategic legal solutions for businesses facing high-stakes disputes, regulatory challenges, and internal conflicts among partners, shareholders, and LLC members.
- Hospitality & Restaurant Industry – Representing clients in employment disputes, business transactions, and regulatory compliance.
- Business Litigation – Handling corporate breakups, partnership disputes, and commercial litigation.
- Business Owners & Entrepreneurs – Helping structure businesses to minimize legal risk and optimize growth opportunities.
PRACTICE GROUPS
PRACTICE FOCUS
- Business Divorce & Ownership Disputes – Representing shareholders, partners, and LLC members in disputes over ownership rights, fiduciary obligations, company control, and financial interests.
- Employment Litigation & Compliance – Defending businesses in wage and hour claims, workplace discrimination and harassment cases, and executive contract disputes, while also advising companies on proactive compliance strategies to minimize risk.
At DHC Legal, Andreas provides comprehensive, top-tier legal support, ensuring that clients not only win in the courtroom but also thrive in the marketplace.
EXPERIENCE
- Successfully defended a popular SoHo restaurant against a wage & hour collective/class action under the FLSA and New York labor laws, resulting in a dismissal of key claims, including dismissal with prejudice of all claims against the owners who were personally named as defendants.
- Successfully defeated all claims of race discrimination and retaliation filed by an ex-employee of a popular multi-location Israeli restaurant who was terminated for anti-Israel posts and commentary on social media.
- Successfully settled a large New York State Department of Labor wage and hour investigation for nuisance value after showing inaccuracies in the investigator’s findings, and disproving the investigator’s conclusions as to alleged improper minimum wage and overtime payments through overwhelming witness testimony which corroborated our restaurant client’s position.
- Obtained a favorable buy-out of a minority owner of a restaurant group that was four times the amount originally offered by the majority following the improper lock out and termination of our minority owner client
- Obtained an emergency restraining order against a co-founder and 50% owner of a well-known regional multi-unit quick-service brand by showing his mismanagement and misappropriation of corporate funds for personal use.
- Successfully represented several members in a highly-contentious business divorce involving a high-profile hospitality brand whose directors and officers were involved in undisclosed and improper self-dealing an a favorable settlement while protecting the client’s financial interests and reputation.
- Advised a multi-location hospitality company on employment compliance strategies, reducing exposure to lawsuits and regulatory fines.
- Successfully prevented a hostile takeover of a high-value Manhattan co-op.
MEMBERSHIP IN BAR ASSOCIATIONS AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
- New York State Bar Association
- Hellenic Lawyers Association
- New York City Hospitality Alliance
AWARDS & HONORS
- Chambers & Partners –Spotlight New York: Commercial Litigation (2025)
- Super Lawyers New York Metro Rising Stars – Employment Litigation Defense (2014 to Present)
- Greek-American Super Lawyer 2025
- Greek-American 40 Under 40 (2022)
DESIGNATIONS
- Recognized and rated by Thomson Reuters / New York Metro Super Lawyers 2025.
- Recognized as Thomson Reuters / Super Lawyers – Rising Stars: 2013 – 2016, 2019 – 2024
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Insights: Law Blog

Who’s Really in Charge? Governance, Control, and Voting Rules for Restaurant Owners
Who’s Really in Charge? Governance, Control, and Voting Rules for Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Many restaurant disputes boil

The Restaurant Operating Agreement: 10 Clauses That Prevent Partner Disasters
The Restaurant Operating Agreement: 10 Clauses That Prevent Partner Disasters By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law An operating agreement (for an LLC)

How to Split the Pie: Equity, “Sweat” Ownership, and Investors in Restaurant Deals
How to Split the Pie: Equity, “Sweat” Ownership, and Investors in Restaurant Deals By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Restaurant deals almost

Choosing the Right Entity for Your NYC Restaurant: LLC, Corporation, or Something Else?
Choosing the Right Entity for Your NYC Restaurant: LLC, Corporation, or Something Else? By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law For a New

90 Days Before Filing: A Pre-Bankruptcy Planning Checklist for New York Restaurant Owners
90 Days Before Filing: A Pre-Bankruptcy Planning Checklist for New York Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Most restaurant bankruptcies

Hellenic Lawyers Association 35th Annual Scholarship Dinner Gala
Hellenic Lawyers Association – 35th Annual Scholarship Dinner Gala Pictured L to R: Joseph Diego Taylor (DHC), Georgia Paliogiannis of Chan Vitanza LLP (formerly Wilson

Subchapter V for Restaurants: A Streamlined Chapter 11 Option for New York Owners
Subchapter V for Restaurants: A Streamlined Chapter 11 Option for New York Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Traditional Chapter 11

Buyout Options for Divorcing Restaurant Owners
Buyout Options for Divorcing Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Introduction: Divorce can be especially complicated for restaurant owners, as

Protecting Your Restaurant’s Future: Estate Planning Considerations During Divorce
Protecting Your Restaurant’s Future: Estate Planning Considerations During Divorce By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Introduction: For restaurant owners, divorce isn’t just

Estate Planning Essentials for NYC Restaurant Owners
Estate Planning Essentials for NYC Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Running a restaurant in New York City is demanding,

Business Succession Planning for Restaurant Owners: Protecting Your Legacy
Business Succession Planning for Restaurant Owners: Protecting Your Legacy By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law For restaurant owners, business succession planning is

How to Handle a Business Divorce Between Restaurant Partners
How to Handle a Business Divorce Between Restaurant Partners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Introduction: Just like personal relationships, business partnerships