Highlights
Advocacy For The Developmentally Disabled
Our team led a campaign to protect disabled adults living in a group home on Long Island after the NYS
Advocating Alongside Autism Speaks
Alongside Autism Speaks Inc. we were proud to help pass the Autism Insurance Bill, a piece of legislation designed to
Celebrating Ovation Television Network
When the little-known TV station, Ovation, was kicked off of its platform by Time Warner, our team created the Television
Ending A Wrongful Stop Work Order
The Department of Buildings was wrongfully suspending our client, a large NYC general contractor, and placed a stop work order
Expanding Preschool Opportunities In Brooklyn
With the help of our professionals, a new Brooklyn preschool program opened on time with expedited approvals from key players
Expanding Services For A Special Needs School
Through a variety of efforts, we helped to propel the growth of a school for children with special needs to
Fighting For Property Owners
While representing a major property owner in NYC, we discovered that NYC DEP was wrongfully charging our client over $30,000
Fighting For Yellow Taxi Cabs
In a true-life tale of David versus Goliath, our team stood in support of yellow taxi cab drivers (taxi medallion
Helping The Beer And Liquor Industry
Representing the largest independent beer wholesaler in NYS, our team worked to successfully pass legislation that changed the Alcoholic Beverage
Improving School District Performance
A school district historically known for poor student performance voted in a new board of education just as the state
Licensing For A NYC Homecare Agency
Our team represented a concierge homecare agency that had its L2 license denied by NYS DOH. This license was essential
Protecting A Local Supermarket Chain
Our client, the owner of 30 Supermarkets throughout New York City, was under attack by the DOH and being forced
Protecting Our Landmarks
Alongside our client, our firm fought to stop the development of a major property at Jones Beach. Through our efforts,
Shedding A Light On International Concerns
In support of national dissidents, our firm fought to hold a foreign government accountable for a variety of human rights
Supporting A District in Crisis
Representing a large school district with an environment hazardous condition, we provided crisis management services to address governmental, regulatory, and
Supporting Nassau County Museum of Art
Our firm procured government funding through the New York State Legislature for the Nassau County Museum of Art, totaling $50,000
Teaming Up With The NY School Bus Contractors Association
In order to address the school bus driver shortage in NYS, our client, the NY School Bus Contractors Association, felt
Here are some examples of real estate-related government relations issues that a law firm could resolve in New York City:
Issue: A developer sought to build a luxury condominium in a historic district but needed a zoning variance to exceed the height restriction. Community opposition and complex city zoning laws posed challenges.
Resolution: The firm worked with the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA), engaged with local community boards, and negotiated with city officials to secure the variance while incorporating community benefits such as affordable housing units and public space improvements.
Issue: A client purchased a historic building for commercial redevelopment, but after the acquisition, a local preservation group pushed for landmark designation, which would have significantly limited the planned renovations.
Resolution: The firm successfully advocated before the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), demonstrating that the proposed redevelopment maintained historical integrity while contributing to economic growth. The project was approved with modifications that satisfied stakeholders.
Issue: A nonprofit developer sought to build an affordable housing complex but struggled to secure financing due to high property taxes. The project required a tax abatement under the 421-a program and additional incentives from the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
Resolution: The firm negotiated with city agencies to secure the necessary 421-a benefits and additional financial incentives, allowing the project to move forward while ensuring compliance with affordability requirements.
Issue: A major real estate developer faced a stop-work order on a high-rise project due to a dispute over construction safety regulations and neighbor complaints about site conditions.
Resolution: The firm coordinated with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and the local community board, implemented a revised safety plan, and negotiated a resolution that lifted the stop-work order while addressing neighbor concerns.
Issue: A client faced significant permitting delays for a mixed-use development due to shifting environmental impact review requirements and pushback from city agencies.
Resolution: The firm worked with the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to streamline the environmental review process, negotiate compliance measures, and expedite the issuance of necessary permits.
Issue: A developer planned to construct a high-rise office tower in Midtown but needed to purchase air rights from an adjacent property to maximize the building’s height. The transaction required city approval and compliance with zoning regulations.
Resolution: The firm facilitated negotiations with the NYC Department of City Planning and local stakeholders, ensuring compliance with Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) regulations, and secured approvals for the air rights transfer.
Issue: A property owner opposed the city’s plan to convert a nearby commercial property into a homeless shelter, arguing that the process lacked transparency and violated zoning laws.
Resolution: The firm represented the client in negotiations with city agencies and found fire safety violations which ultimately led to a compromise where the city adjusted the shelter’s capacity and operational guidelines to address community concerns.
Issue: A commercial property owner faced legal action from tenants after the city issued a violation requiring costly building upgrades. The tenants argued the landlord was responsible, while the landlord maintained that the tenants’ lease agreements made them liable for improvements.
improvements.
Resolution: The firm navigated negotiations with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), mediated a resolution between the landlord and tenants, and structured a cost-sharing agreement that avoided litigation and ensured compliance with city regulations.