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.
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PRACTICE GROUPS
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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.
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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.
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.
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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
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EDUCATION
- New York Law School – J.D. (2015)
- East Carolina University – B.A. (2009)
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MEMBERSHIPS IN BAR & TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
- New York State Bar Association
- New York City Hospitality Alliance
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AWARDS & HONORS
- Chambers & Partners – Spotlight New York: Commercial Litigation (2025)
- Super Lawyers New York Metro Rising Stars – Employment Litigation Defense (2020 to Present)
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
- Industry-Specific Knowledge: My deep experience in hospitality, restaurants, and real estate allows me to provide legal guidance that is practical, strategic, and tailored to industry realities.
- Access to a Full-Service, Multi-office Firm: At DHC, my clients benefit from a deep bench of attorneys across corporate law, real estate, tax, trusts & estates, and regulatory compliance, ensuring a holistic legal strategy for their businesses.
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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Vocal and active restaurant industry advocate in support of efforts and initiatives led by the NYC Hospitality Alliance
- Speaker on business litigation, employment law and compliance for hospitality businesses
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WHY I ENJOY MY PRACTICE
Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, I know the sacrifice it takes to build a business. Business owners aren’t just running businesses—they’re creating brands, experiences, and legacies. But without the right legal structures in place, everything they’ve built can be at risk. My job is to make sure their business is protected from day one—whether it’s setting up a strong operating agreement, negotiating favorable vendor contracts, or defending against a lawsuit. I work side-by-side with my clients to ensure they have the right legal foundation to grow, thrive, and stay ahead of challenges.
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PERSONAL QUOTE
“A strong legal foundation today prevents costly disputes tomorrow. My mission is to help business owners not just survive legal challenges but thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape.”
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PRIOR TO JOINING THE FIRM
Joseph Diego Taylor brings a wealth of diverse legal experience to DHC, having honed a broad array of practice skills and legal knowledge throughout his career. This extensive background provides Joe with a unique perspective on legal challenges, enabling him to devise innovative solutions that other attorneys might overlook.
Prior to joining DHC, Joe engaged in a variety of legal disciplines, which equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the law and its practical applications. This experience has been instrumental in developing his ability to approach cases with a well-rounded strategy, ensuring that clients receive thorough and effective representation.
By joining DHC, Joe is able to fully leverage his skills and passion for delivering high-quality legal services. His commitment to excellence and client-focused approach ensures that he consistently achieves favorable outcomes for his clients. Joe is dedicated to providing legal representation that is not only effective but also tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, setting him apart as a leader in the legal community.
