Best Lawyers in New York, United States for Land Use and Zoning Law
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Stephen Fantuzzo is an associate in Nixon Peabody’s Real Estate group. His practice involves commercial real estate transactions and land use and zoning matters. He represents real estate investors, developers, and lenders. My focus I focus my practice on commercial real estate transactions—including purchases and sales, leasing, and commercial lending—as well as land use and zoning. I have experience with various deal structures, including construction/development, purchase...
Michael Sahn is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Land Use and Zoning Law. Michael practices law in Uniondale, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Michael Sahn since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael Sahn is held by other lawyers.
Jared Lusk is a partner in our Real Estate practice group and the Managing Partner for the Rochester office of the firm. The primary focus of his practice is real estate development and municipal law, including planning and zoning. What do you focus on? Land Use/Development I enjoy representing a wide variety of landowners, developers, municipalities, retailers, public utilities, wind and other energy producers throughout New York State. Having formerly served as town attorney managing land u...
Joshua J. Rinesmith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Land Use and Zoning Law. Joshua J. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Joshua J. Rinesmith since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Joshua J. Rinesmith is held by other lawyers.
Kenneth K. Lowenstein is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Kenneth K. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Kenneth K. Lowenstein since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kenneth K. Lowenstein is held by other lawyers.
Caroline A. Harcourt is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Caroline A. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Caroline A. Harcourt since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Caroline A. Harcourt is held by other lawyers.
With a focus on land use, environmental law and litigation, Rick Leland represents real estate developers, universities, hospitals, non-profit organizations, and industrial companies on the environmental aspects of real estate transactions, development, and land use. Rick’s work has been central in gaining approvals for – or defending lawsuits against – multiple billion dollar developments. He works with clients nationwide on a range of matters, including environmental impac...
Chip focuses his practice on real estate financing, corporate financing, commercial real estate sales and acquisitions, leasing, zoning, land use, municipal law and public authorities law. He represents numerous lenders, developers and corporations in such areas as commercial lending, borrowing, real estate development and leasing.
Jana McDonald is a Member in the Syracuse, New York office of Bousquet Holstein PLLC and serves on the firm’s Board of Managers. Her practice focuses on real estate matters, including Land Use and Zoning Law, commercial real estate transactions, title review, development projects, and property-related matters throughout New York. Jana has been recognized by Best Lawyers for her work in Land Use and Zoning Law. The recognition is based on peer review within the legal profession. As part ...
Caroline Harris's practice is focused on land use law, emphasizing New York City zoning and historic preservation. She is an expert on development rights deals (“air rights”) and discretionary approvals. She also has substantial transactional experience and serves as a Neutral Arbitrator on the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association.Ms. Harris began her zoning career in the public sector as Associate Counsel for the New York City Department of City Planning. As A...
Laura M. Smith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Laura M. practices law in Victor, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Laura M. Smith since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Laura M. Smith is held by other lawyers.
Michael Bailkin focuses in two value creation areas of real estate: (i) development incentives; and (ii) structuring and helping implement real estate development projects. Development incentives includes a broad range of programs that utilize public sector resources to add value to private projects, including financial supports, EB-5 financing, cost reductions, land use actions and sole source and below market acquisition of land. Structuring real estate projects generally involves taking in...
Barry N. Covert focuses his practice primarily in the following areas: New York State and federal criminal trials and appeals Constitutional law, including First Amendment, Second Amendment, and civil rights actions Qui Tam Act, also known as the False Claims Act Defending against allegations of scientific misconduct, scientific fraud, research misconduct, research fraud, plagiarism, and fabrication of evidence Defense of professional licensing, including for attorneys, doctors, and nurses Ti...
Thomas Leslie is the managing shareholder in Greenberg Traurig’s White Plains office. He focuses his practice on the areas of banking and finance and he represents some of the largest financial institutions in the United States. His practice concentrates on representing financial institutions and developers in connection with the purchase, sale and financing of real estate, the sale and financing of loan portfolios as well as the financing of fine art, private aircraft and other forms o...
Anthony S. Guardino is a trusted and experienced land use and municipal attorney who advises some of the region’s largest developers and real estate owners to obtain the land use approvals needed to develop or redevelop their properties with commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-family residential uses. His clients include several national retailers and fast-casual restaurateurs who seek new locations on Long Island. For many matters, Anthony must guide the client through the ...
Howard Goldman began his career as a land use attorney in Alaska in 1976, where he drafted regulations for the Alaska Coastal Management Program, handled environmental review under NEPA and represented towns and municipalities in adopting zoning and land use controls.In 1980, Mr. Goldman was appointed Deputy Counsel to the New York City Planning Commission. As Deputy Counsel, Mr. Goldman was involved in the review of applications and other matters before the City Planning Commission, the deve...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.