James Mermigis Featured on ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ on September 6th, 2020

Lawyers of Distinction member, James Mermigis, was recently featured on ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ where it was announced he would be representing Joe Germanotta, owner of Joanne Trattoria and father of Lady Gaga, in a dispute with New York State government and their indoor dining restrictions for New York City. See more at Fox & Friends.

Over 450 New York City restaurateurs are suing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo along with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in a class action lawsuit seeking $2 billion in damages due to the outdoor dining restrictions currently facing the city. The city of New York currently faces an indoor dining ban which restricts restaurant to outdoor dining only, a restriction not imposed throughout the rest of New York State.

According to Germanotta, outdoor dining has seen his business barely break even: “Something has to be done. They’re not listening, they’re not hearing, they’re just not being realistic. They gotta put themselves in our shoes, they’re still getting a paycheck, these people are suffering. “Without the indoor dining I am just about breaking even, which is fine, it’s a family run business but it is going to be tight, especially when winter hits.”