I was a client in a pro bono suit so I wasn't charged but I didn't win the case, though didn't have to pay anymore than the deposit and monthly lease I was breaking. She seemed okay to me but that isn't the issue. I was looking to contact her and perhaps send cookies or flowers for the work she provided and this came up in my Google search (pretty sure this is the one and the same person): ATTORNEY INDICTED FOR STEALING CLIENTS' FUNDS Daphna Zekaria Allegedy Stole over $200,000 from Two of Her Clients, Including One Individual who was a Lottery Winner 5 December 2023 https://suffolkcountyny.gov/da/Newsroom/Press-Releases/attorney-indicted-for-stealing-clients-funds read more

I rarely write Yelp reviews and only do so when I am compelled to after having such a horrendous experience. Simply put, Daphna (I can't speak for the rest of the law firm, but any company that makes someone like Daphna a partner clearly doesn't vet their team members well) is a horrible lawyer and an extremely rude person. I have retained dozens of lawyers in my life and have always had a great experience. Daphna is the one lawyer who sticks out as the exception to this. She was recommended to me from someone that had heard she was experienced in real estate law so I thought she would be trustworthy. From the moment I met her at their office downtown, she pressured me into paying an insane amount upfront flat fee (I think around $20-$30k). She told me my case would easily be more than this if we did it hourly, so paying a flat fee would save me money. My gut told me this didn't make sense and I opted (thank God) to be billed hourly. She then told me I had to wire her a 10k retainer that day and it felt very sleazy and not how lawyers typically act. I should have listened to my gut and left, but I agreed (since it was hourly and I could audit the hours billed) and I went forward. Once I paid communication was sparse and it took days and sometimes weeks to get a response. She kept coming up with excuses (out of the office, being sick, etc) and then when it became apparent she wouldn't be able to help be due to laws being changed, I told her I no longer needed her services. I asked for a summary of the hours spent and a refund of the remaining retainer. It took several weeks (and dozens and dozens of calls and emails) to get my money back. To add insult to injury they lied about sending a an overnight check via UPS (it took another week or so at that point). I am now struggling to get a W9 tax form for them (which is insane). Overall I can't express how horrible Daphana is professionally and how rude she was to me as both a potential client and then an actual client. If it didn't take so long, I would report her to the Bar Association, as she should not be allowed to practice law. If you are reading this, for your own good, please don't hire this lawyer as based on my experience and others posting on Yelp, it will most likely result in a loss of your money and possibly even your case. -Ben read more

Daphna is fantastic. She saw me through a very stressful landlord-tenant situation with optimal outcomes. She was always available when I needed her, provided steady counsel throughout the process, and honored the flat fee we agreed upon at the start of our engagement, even though she spent more hours on the case than the fee actually covered, including making a court appearance on my behalf. Daphna has an excellent understanding of housing law and I highly recommend her to anyone looking for reliable, no-nonsense counsel. read more

I had a free consultation with Daphna Zekaria. She was very professional and helpful to me. She provided me with explanations nobody else was willing to do. Thank you. read more

I have dealt with several dozen attorneys that cover the same types of law that Daphna supposedly specializes in. And I am not one that likes to write negative reviews nor do I have the time to do so. I own several buildings that consists of several hundred tenants. Despite having the bedside manner of a two-year-old throwing a temper tantrum, her lacking of social graces let alone her lack of professionalism is shocking. I presented the topics that I need an address to five different attorneys and the other four were for more on point and well versed with options many of my previously respected counsel weren't even aware of. I only decided to write this review after reading how many people have been duped by this individual. Contacting ABA and if anyone would like the phone numbers of some real attorneys feel free to leave your email address here. read more

I found myself in an very tough battle against my former tenant. I was afraid, confused and hopeless. Daphna took my case and fought for me like she was my guardian angel, I was amazingly surprised at how quickly she understood my case , unlike other lawyers I spoke to before, she is smart, and tells you exactly what to expect. I got her support all trough the process, she is honest, very professional, in spite of her busy schedule, she always responded promptly to phone calls and emails. Even on weekends! You really get the feeling that you're her most important client. Her staff is outstanding as well. They are courteous and friendly. Daphna settled my case beyond my expectation. I highly recommended this firm. Daphna will fight for you. read more

I would never use her again. She demands money up front ($15,000), stating (in my case) a Supreme Court case could drag on, and that it would take precident over the Civil Court Case brought by the Petitioner (Landlord). (The Supreme Court Case was filed at the suggestion of a former judge who I tried to retain first but he had retired and she intercepted my correspondence to him) because my evidence of neglect by the landlord was so strong and my original lease stated that changes to the apartment just needed to be "left", rather than the current permission needed and pay 1/40the of cost.) Other than filing once, she never pursued it and instead charged me the Landlord's costs for filing ($6000) instead of their reimbursing me for court costs, as she said. Agreeing to reimbursing the other lawyer was done behind my back, and I was never consulted. Mistakes were made galore in both the right up of the case and the scoring of the counter-sue to the Supreme Court. I basically re-wrote and re-scored the misinformation. She does nothing....Hard to get a hold of her --until I told her that I would take back my money on the grounds of non-contactibility. I wish I'd read reviews before agreeing to her representing me. I do not feel then or now, some years later, that I was well-represented. I do not recommend her. read more

I normally do not write reviews of any kind, but sometimes you come across a person & company that goes way above and beyond expectations and so I am compelled to do so. Daphna & her team are the most professional, thorough, aggressive, intelligent law firm that I have ever dealt with. They listen, understand, and provide solutions instantly. It is refreshing to work with such professionals, who not only do a great job but also care! read more

lost me my case (and got me evicted). cost me so much money its insane. (over 100k) . kept on adding costs and when I was evicted she never even followed up to ask how I was doing even though I was her client for almost a decade and brought her other clients for her business. I was homeless. Other attorney's who reviewed my case seemed to think I had a strong case and they couldn't understand why I lost. read more

Mr. Sokoloski got smart and seperated his name from hers but the orininal firm name was Sokolski and Zekaria. I posted an original rating there which i will attempt to paste here. Original rating review!!! which disapeared I was refered by a friend. I thought they were tenant friendly at first. I gave them 10g for a straight forward legit succession rights case. I had all my ducks in a row. I started geting a bad feeling, I went downtown and pulled my case folder and it said N/S. I asked the clerk what that meant. She said, "no show". I went with another law firm. I got none of my money back. Also, when I told Zekaria I was being harrased... She said, "It wont stop until you leave". Her only advice. read more

I hired Daphna a few years ago when I was presented with an eviction notice for my cats. She got the landlord to drop the evicition and later worked with me to do a sublease. The landlord has completely stoped harrassing me. She knows all the players and lawyers in her legal area. I am back again working with her for another sublease and she's great. She KNOWS how these landords think and she can protect you. read more

I am so Grateful for the services of Sokolski & Zekaria and especially Daphna Zekaria! Years ago I had a commercial rent dispute and expressed it to some colleagues I was working with. One person referred me to Daphna Zekaria as an attorney that is not only fantastic and handled her dispute with great success, but has been instrumental in helping to change and shape laws for renters in NYC. My commercial dispute was resolved without me ever needing to show up to court and saved me Thousands of Dollars! Years later I found myself in a residential rent stabilized dispute (I've had the apartment for nearly 30 years) that was complicated! Daphna and her astounding team were able to not only exonerate me and help me keep my apartment, but were able to do it with me only showing up to court one time (and as I recall, that was voluntary). Much Love and Continued Success to S&Z Doug Wilson read more

I have had the good fortune to be represented by Daphna Zekaria on two different occasions. Not only did she prevail both times, but I was particularly impressed by her professionalism. She always clearly states the possible outcomes. She is careful with her language to make sure the client always understands the situation at hand. Her knowledge of landlord tenant law is impressive, yet she doesn't make any claim without being totally informed of the issue and all the variables involved. She can be tough but is always fair. A wonderful combination when seeking a lawyer to represent you. The office is equally professional..they make communicating with Ms. Zekaria efficient, and follow up with all necessary details to keep the case moving in as timely manner as possible, given how long these things can take. Her staff always informed me of any pertinent meetings and the timelines as they occurred. Knowing what to expect next gave me the confidence that my case was being given the proper attention. I cannot recommend Ms. Zekaria and the office of Sokolski and Zekaria highly enough and consider myself lucky to have found them. read more

Absolutely DO NOT work with Daphna. Other than being the rudest person you'll ever meet, she does as little as possible, and keeps hitting you up for more and more money. And in the end, you'll probably lose. I did. Why? Because she screwed the case up, wanted more and more money for something I already paid for. And in the end I paid over $17,500 for nothing. Now I'm fighting eviction proceedings, but with a lawyer who is reasonable, polite and honest. Buyer beware. read more

Daphna Rob and her entire staff were absolutely amazing . They handled my divorce ,they were informative, attentive and very fair with pricing. They went out of their way to keep me in the loop in every aspect . Their honesty and their knowledge of the law was quite impressive. They settled my divorce case in less than 6 months for way less than I could have imagined. Do yourself a favor get a consultation from this firm they are worth every penny !!!!!!!!!! read more

I highly recommend Ms. Zekaria. My experience with her was very positive. She gave me advice freely and willingly. She steered me in the right direction when she felt it was in my best interest that she not represent me. I would highly recommend her. She is extremely professional and always does what is in the best interest of her client. read more

I don't understand the bad reviews I've seen! Daphna has worked with me for many years to help me keep my rent-stabilized apartment from the clutches of harassing slumlords. She has always won the case. She has given me sliding-scale rates, since I'm poor. She is the best of the best at what she does, and her heart is in the right place. She is NOT rude, and adjournments (which half the time are initiated by the landlord, any way) win time, which is priceless in cases like mine. read more

I suspect that the review from eleanor is fake, or if not, she represents the small minority of people who have prevailed in court with daphna as attorney. My experience is similar to others who complained. Daphna charged me an arm and a leg, promised me a win, and when I lost she didn't even call me to see how I was doing. I was homeless and this woman was still trying to figure out more ways to get money out of me. I really wish I had read these reviews before I hired her. The only positive to come out of it is that I now live in a nicer apartment in a better area but its way more expensive. I hired daphna to keep my apartment. She lost it. read more

I agree with other reviewers. Please save your money. $20000 later and all I have to show for it is lots of adjournments and no trial since 2016. Pay your landlord immediately no matter what she tells you or all her adjournments will only get you evicted in the end. Ironically it is the inaction of this counsel that could get you evicted. You will only have a case if you put the money into escrow to show the judge good faith that you are willing to pay legal rent. You must be proactive about your case. Stay current with your case in court. She is not timely with court decisions so make sure you are conscientious. Do not withhold payment based on her advice and continual adjournments. Find someone else who will fight for your rights if you're a tenant who is willing to pay fair rent in this corrupt Landlord market. Finally switched lawyers yesterday even though I had paid $10000 for a retainer last year for trial that she claimed she had been prepared for but she didn't even have the courtesy to let me know she was not going to show up in court and had planned to adjourn again. Is $20000 what you pay for 2 years worth of adjournments or for expeditious counsel and defense. She promises much but works very little on your behalf. read more

Do yourself a favour and do not come close to these people. They do not care for you, all they care is your money. I paid a flat fee of $12,500 for a "aggressive and efficient" representation in my apartment stabilization case. The list of violations and unethical actions that followed is too long. Let's just say that during the first year they adjourned over a DOZEN times while lying to me about what was going on. I never knew about those adjournments. At the same time Daphne continued harassing me, forcing me to give up my apartment - yes my attorney worked against me, and in the interests of the landlord. when we finally made it to court, my attorney deliberately withheld from me that were had a court session so that I would not be present there. They deliberately failed to bring the proof of my stabilization to court - how do you fight for my rights if you dont bring the proof on which my case is based? They failed to challenge the proof the landlord presented. they had refused to open escrow for me. all this time, my ladnlord read more