Real property tax assessment litigation in New York State [“tax appeal”, “tax certiorari”] is a nuanced and complex process that must comport with the requirements of state statute, court rules and case law precedent.  Consequently, the state legislature took pity on home owners by creating a residential tax appeal forum known as Small Claims Assessment Review [“small claims”].  The stated justification for small claims was…

Jesse Hiney shared his forecast for the Renewable Energy & Clean Energy/Sustainability Industries: New York’s All-Electric Buildings Act (AEBA), enacted in 2023, was poised to reshape the state’s construction landscape by phasing out fossil-fuel systems in new buildings. Designed to support the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals, the law established the nation’s first statewide mandate requiring all-electric systems in most new…

What accomplishment, milestone, project or transaction stood out for you or your firm in 2025? My standout transaction in 2025 was the closing of a refinance bridge loan for a newly built 250+ unit multifamily project located in Florida. During the process we had to extend the then-current construction loan lender to give sufficient time to work towards the closing with the bridge lender. There…

As 2025 draws to a close, many of us reflect on lessons learned and look ahead to a fresh start in the New Year. For small animal veterinarians, this means addressing common legal challenges that can arise in practice. While striving to provide excellent care, veterinarians often face legal risks from seemingly simple oversights. Here are five top “traps” to leave behind - and how…

Many attorneys operating within the construction space are familiar with the provisions of New York Lien Law, which allow for the discharge of a Mechanic’s Lien in the event the Lienor does not commence an action to enforce following the service of a “Section 59 Demand”. Indeed, Lien Law § 59 allows for the cancellation of a Mechanic’s Lien if, following proper service of said demand, the…

New York’s move to let its state public sector labor board step in for a paralyzed National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ignited a constitutional fight that could redraw the boundaries of labor law authority in the United States. At issue is S.8034A, a law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in September amending Section 715 of the state’s labor law. It authorizes the state Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)…

The New York LLC Transparency Act (NYLTA) is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The NYLTA will introduce a new beneficial ownership disclosure regime for limited liability companies operating in New York. The NYLTA will impact both LLCs formed in New York and foreign LLCs authorized to do business in the state. Under the NYLTA, LLCs formed or registered before January 1, 2026…

The State Environmental Quality Review Act, commonly referred to as SEQRA, is a state law that requires government agencies to assess the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project to ensure balance and to protect the environment. In early 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) released proposed SEQRA amendments which aimed to incorporate provisions of the Environmental Justice Siting…