Municipal

Our Municipal Practice Group guides municipalities through the complex maze of state and federal laws, as well as regulatory mechanisms, associated with governing and improving their communities.

Utility worker in a high-visibility jacket and hard hat, holding a tablet and plans, pointing with a red tool near power lines in Albany, NY.

Three professionals in a meeting at a round table in a bright office with large windows in Albany, NY.

Overview

We identify the relevant legal requirements and help municipalities achieve their goals in an appropriate, timely and cost-effective manner. The practice group is also experienced in helping municipalities to cooperate on a regional basis to solve common problems efficiently by pooling resources, human capital and ideas amongst various municipalities sharing in community-wide issues.

Our Experience

The attorneys in our Municipal Practice Group have extensive experience in local government zoning, planning, labor, employment and other legal areas affecting municipalities. No matter the scope of the project, we pride ourselves on providing responsive, effective services to our municipal clients. Services that include, but are not limited to:

  • Development of comprehensive plans, zoning laws and other land use legislation, including local legislation concerning environmental sustainability.
  • Labor and employment issues in the public sector sphere, including collective bargaining, investigations, disciplinary actions, policy review and revisions, hearings and other litigation, and general consultation on labor and employment matters.
  • Municipal energy programs, including solar and other clean energy expansion, bulk-buying, interfacing with energy providers and related issues.
  • Assisting legislative bodies, zoning boards of appeals and planning boards in all matters that may arise in a municipality, including with governance, internal operations and municipal powers.
  • Redevelopment of contaminated properties under state and federal brownfields programs.
  • Siting and review of wind power projects, solar power projects and conventional power plants.
  • Litigation involving environmental claims, tax assessment review, tax certiorari claims, Eminent Domain/EDPL, labor and employment matters, construction and other matters.
  • Establishment and expansion of sewer, water, fire, ambulance and other special districts.
  • Representation of municipal land banks, local development corporations, industrial development agencies, public housing authorities and other public entities in both private and public real estate development projects, including, procurement, acquisition or disposition, joint developer agreements, economic development incentives, public-private financing and the like.
  • Siting and permitting of solid waste facilities and contracting with private solid waste facility providers.
  • Negotiating Real Property Incentives, including Payment in Lieu of Tax agreements.
  • Permitting and enforcement proceedings before local, State and federal agencies in all areas.
  • Assistance in code enforcement activities, including prosecution of code enforcement violations.
  • SEQRA review of residential and commercial projects.
  • Funding and approval for infrastructure projects such as water and sewage systems including regionalization and public and private partnerships.
  • Establishment and expansion of Empire Zones.
  • Redevelopment of former military bases and state facilities.

Meet Our Attorneys

Terresa M. Bakner

Terresa M. Bakner

Partner
David R. Everett

David R. Everett

Partner
Charles J. Gottlieb

Charles J. Gottlieb

Partner
Dylan C. Harris

Dylan C. Harris

Partner
Daniel Hubbell

Daniel Hubbell

Partner
Thomas J. Ruane (T.J.)

Thomas J. Ruane (T.J.)

Partner
Robert T. Schofield

Robert T. Schofield

Partner
Michael G. Sterthous

Michael G. Sterthous

Partner
Robert A. Stout Jr.

Robert A. Stout Jr.

Partner
Howard A. Levine

Howard A. Levine

Senior Counsel
Norma G. Meacham

Norma G. Meacham

Senior Counsel
J. Stephen Reilly

J. Stephen Reilly

Senior Counsel
Daniel A. Ruzow

Daniel A. Ruzow

Senior Counsel
Thomas A. Shepardson

Thomas A. Shepardson

Senior Counsel
Michelle L. Kennedy

Michelle L. Kennedy

Of Counsel
Nathaniel J. Nichols

Nathaniel J. Nichols

Of Counsel
Paul Van Cott

Paul Van Cott

Of Counsel
Steven Vegliante

Steven Vegliante

Of Counsel

Meet Our Attorneys

Partners

Terresa M. Bakner

Terresa M. Bakner

Partner
David R. Everett

David R. Everett

Partner
Charles J. Gottlieb

Charles J. Gottlieb

Partner
Dylan C. Harris

Dylan C. Harris

Partner
Daniel Hubbell

Daniel Hubbell

Partner
Thomas J. Ruane (T.J.)

Thomas J. Ruane (T.J.)

Partner
Robert T. Schofield

Robert T. Schofield

Partner
Michael G. Sterthous

Michael G. Sterthous

Partner
Robert A. Stout Jr.

Robert A. Stout Jr.

Partner

Senior Counsel

Howard A. Levine

Howard A. Levine

Senior Counsel
Norma G. Meacham

Norma G. Meacham

Senior Counsel
J. Stephen Reilly

J. Stephen Reilly

Senior Counsel
Daniel A. Ruzow

Daniel A. Ruzow

Senior Counsel
Thomas A. Shepardson

Thomas A. Shepardson

Senior Counsel

Of Counsel

Michelle L. Kennedy

Michelle L. Kennedy

Of Counsel
Nathaniel J. Nichols

Nathaniel J. Nichols

Of Counsel
Paul Van Cott

Paul Van Cott

Of Counsel
Steven Vegliante

Steven Vegliante

Of Counsel

Explore Related Areas

Legal matters often involve interconnected issues that span multiple areas of the law. Understanding these relationships is essential to navigating complex challenges and making informed decisions.

Our attorneys work collaboratively across practice areas to provide coordinated guidance that reflects the broader legal and operational landscape. This approach helps ensure consistency, efficiency, and clarity at every stage.

Explore related practice areas to learn how our team delivers comprehensive support designed to adapt to a wide range of needs and circumstances.