Uniondale, August 24, 2016 – Jeffrey D. Forchelli, Managing Partner of Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Terrana LLP (the Firm), announced today that after a lengthy process which began about 10 years ago, the Firm was able to secure for its client the Greentree Foundation both considerable tax relief and tax exempt status.
The Greentree Foundation operates a non-profit conference center, dedicated to international justice and human rights issues, which primarily serves the United Nations and prominent non-governmental organizations.Greentree retained the Firm about 10 years ago to handle their tax issues with the County of Nassau. Prior to the Firm’s retention, Greentree had unsuccessfully applied for tax exempt status for seven consecutive years, losing legal challenges to denial of exemption seven times in the Supreme Court and twice in the Appellate Division. Initially under the direction of Jeffrey D. Forchelli and John V. Terrana, the Firm achieved a five-year settlement with the County affording Greentree considerable tax relief. After that settlement expired, the Firm applied once more for Greentree’s tax exempt status and commenced litigation spearheaded by Nathan R. Jones seeking to overturn the County’s denial. That litigation concluded with the attached decision from the Appellate Division, reversing the Supreme Court and finally granting Greentree tax exempt status.
This was a collaborative effort by many lawyers in the office including Jeffrey D. Forchelli, John V. Terrana, Peter B. Skelos, Jeffrey G. Stark and Nathan R. Jones.
Jeffrey D. Forchelli founded the law firm of Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Terrana in 1976 and has served as its Managing Partner ever since. His extensive personal practice concentrates on complex real estate and land use matters, including litigation and tax certiorari for major real estate developers and national corporations.
John V. Terrana joined the Firm in 1993. As partner-in-charge of the Firm’s Tax Certiorari Department, he has successfully obtained millions of dollars in real estate tax refunds and savings for clients, including national, regional and local owners and tenants of all types of commercial and residential property.
Peter B. Skelos retired from the judiciary on July 31, 2015 and joined the Firm. He directs the Appellate Practice Group and is a member of the Litigation Department.
Jeffrey G. Stark heads the Litigation Department, and has handled hundreds of cases, both at trial and on appeal, including dissolutions of business and professional corporations, actions for and against insurance companies, real property actions, zoning matters, personal injury matters, fire cases, public contract cases, physician malpractice actions, environmental cases, deed covenant cases, fraud actions, first amendment actions, litigated estate proceedings, title insurance proceedings, actions involving corporate governance, class actions, matrimonial actions, landlord tenant proceedings, and civil rights actions.
Nathan R. Jones joined the firm in 2012. As a member of the Litigation Department, he concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation, land use and zoning, and municipal litigation, investigations and applications.
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.