Firm Attorneys Recognized at Hofstra University with the Top Women in Law Award

Uniondale, NY – April 25, 2017, Judy L. Simoncic and Nicole S. Forchelli have been selected as recipients of Hofstra University’s Top Women in Law Award.

Judy L. Simoncic concentrates her practice in the areas of zoning, land use, environmental, municipal, and real estate law. She represents national franchises, Fortune 500 companies, national corporations, large real estate development companies as well as individual real estate developers in the development of both residential and commercial properties throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. She regularly appears on behalf of her clients before municipal boards on a diversity of zoning applications such as variances, special use permits, change of zones, site plan approval, and major and minor subdivisions. She has secured zoning approvals for Senior Housing Projects, Retail and Office Complexes, Multiple Dwelling Projects, Planned Unit Developments, Assisted Living Facilities, Equestrian facilities, Public Storage Facilities, Fitness Clubs, Public Utility Facilities, Restaurant Franchises, among others.

Ms. Simoncic is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Nassau County Bar Association and LIREG (the Long Island Real Estate Group). She was listed in Long Island Business News’ “Who’s Who in Women in Professional Services.” In 2011, she was appointed to the Options for Living Inc. Board of Directors. In 2016, she was appointed to the Board of Vision Long Island. She was named a “Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business,” by Long Island Business News (2015) and a SuperLawyer (2016).

Nicole S. Forchelli concentrates her practice in tax certiorari and municipal law. Currently, her tax certiorari practice includes representing a national Fortune 500 company, and other large-scale commercial clients. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Forchelli was a trial attorney in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office. As a prosecutor, Nicole managed a caseload of over fifty felony cases at a time, successfully indicted over one-hundred cases in the grand jury, negotiated hundreds of successful plea bargains, did extensive preparation of police and civilian witnesses for hearings and trials, and conducted and secured convictions in a number of trials. Nicole was consistently recognized by her superiors for her exceptional performance, and received a discretionary bonus only awarded to the top performers at the office, several years in a row.

Nicole was spotlighted as ‘One to Watch’ by the Long Island Business News, and was profiled by the New York Real Estate Journal in 2015 & 2016. She was honored by RotaCare, Inc. with the Champions for Families award. Most recently, she was honored by Hofstra University with the “Outstanding Women in Law’ award.

Founded in 1976, the Firm LLP is one of Long Island’s most acclaimed and distinguished law firms. Headquartered in Uniondale, NY, the Firm is conveniently located for clients in Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as those in New York City.

The Firm employs over 60 talented attorneys who provide counsel to a broad range of clients, including national, regional and local businesses, major real estate developers and organizations, banks, insurance companies, municipalities, educational institutions, contractors, architects/engineers and individuals.