Joseph Diego Taylor

Joseph Diego Taylor is a business, corporate, and employment attorney who helps restaurant owners, hospitality groups, and entrepreneurs structure, protect, and grow their businesses. Joseph serves as Senior Counsel at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP. He works alongside Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner and Chair of the Hospitality & Restaurant Law Group, at DHC’s New York City office, helping clients mitigate risk, prevent disputes, and support long-term growth.

With a background deeply rooted in business operations, deal structuring, and risk management, Joseph provides legal guidance that is proactive, practical, and tailored to the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Practice Groups

Practice Focus

Corporate Formation, Transactions & Structuring

Corporate Formation & Entity Structuring – Advising restaurant groups, franchise operators, and hospitality businesses on LLC, S-Corp, and partnership structures that protect assets and optimize tax efficiency.
Operating, Shareholder & Partnership Agreements – Drafting clear, enforceable agreements that align with ownership interests, capital contributions, and succession planning to prevent disputes.
Joint Venture & Management Agreements – Structuring agreements that govern profit-sharing, responsibilities, and investment relationships between restaurant groups, investors, and operating partners.
Licensing, Supplier & Vendor Agreements – Negotiating favorable terms with landlords, distributors, suppliers, and brand partners to ensure compliance and profitability.
Franchise & Expansion Strategies – Advising on multi-unit expansion, licensing models, and franchise agreements to scale businesses while minimizing legal risks.

Litigation & Risk Mitigation

Business Divorce & Ownership Disputes – Resolving conflicts between partners, shareholders, and investors, whether through negotiation, buyouts, or litigation.
Employment Litigation & Compliance – Defending businesses in wage & hour claims, discrimination cases, and regulatory audits, while advising on proactive compliance strategies.
Regulatory Compliance & Licensing – Helping restaurants navigate licensing, regulations, and employment laws to ensure seamless operations.
Commercial Lease & Real Estate Disputes – Protecting restaurants and hospitality businesses in lease negotiations, landlord-tenant disputes, and real estate transactions.

Admissions

New York
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York

Education

New York Law School – J.D. (2015)
East Carolina University – B.A. (2009)

Memberships in Bar & Trade Associations

New York State Bar 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 (2020 to Present)

Client Experience

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.

Representative Matters

Successfully defended a professional liability claim against an architect and obtained a judgment in their favor regarding outstanding invoices.
Obtained a favorable settlement for a multinational construction company in a high-value case involving multiple plaintiffs injured by an explosion during construction operations.
Secured the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking substantial damages against a client by demonstrating that arbitration was a mandatory condition precedent to commencing litigation according to the contract.
Successfully appealed a judgment against the owner of a high-profile hospitality brand by establishing that it violated both contractual provisions and common law rules relating to acceleration and offset of future rent payments.
Obtained a favorable buy-out of a co-owner of a distillery that included ownership of certain trademarks following a contentious break up between the owners.
Secured summary judgment in a commercial landlord-tenant case by proving the anti-subrogation clause in the lease barred the action.
Successfully averted a hostile takeover of a high-value cooperative property in Manhattan.
Obtained an emergency restraining order against a former contractor on behalf of a prominent national service provider by demonstrating the falsehoods and damage resulting from the ex-contractor’s attempts to misappropriate clients and employees.
Secured dismissal of a state wage and hour lawsuit by demonstrating that the complaint was based on facts previously refuted in a prior federal case.
Successfully drafted Master SaaS and Services Agreement and Statements of Work for an insurance focused technology company.
Obtained dismissal of a lawsuit by demonstrating the association between the plaintiffs and the fraudulent law firm they employed to coerce my client into a settlement.
Secured the disqualification of an opposing law firm based on the witness-advocate rule.
Advised a multi-location hospitality company on licensing and regulatory issues for outdoor dining to ensure compliance and boost revenue.

Types of Clients I Work With

Restaurant & Hospitality Businesses and Groups
Restaurant & Hospitality Management Groups
Restaurant & Hospitality Investors
Foodservice Distribution Companies
General Contractors and Sub-Contractors
Business Owners, Entrepreneurs & Executives
Small and Mid-sized Corporations & Startups
Commercial Real Estate Investors & Developers
Tech Startups and Corporations

How My Work Benefits Clients

Proactive Legal Strategies: I help businesses avoid costly litigation through proactive compliance and risk management.
Stronger Business Foundations – I ensure my clients have the right business structure, contracts, and agreements to protect their assets and prevent disputes before they happen.
Aggressive Litigation & Defense: When litigation is unavoidable, I ensure my clients are in the strongest possible position, fighting to protect their interests.
Negotiating Favorable Deals: From investor agreements to supplier contracts, I help businesses maximize leverage and secure their interests in every transaction.