The Firm is proud that Long Island Business News has selected Co-Managing Member, Michael H. Sahn as one of Long Island’s Law Influencers for his legal expertise, community leadership and professional accomplishments. Congratulations to Michael and all the other honorees. Learn more about Michael and the Firm below.
Sahn Ward Co-Managing Members, Jon A. Ward and Michael Sahn were honored to present Maxwell Bowers with the Jack Ward Scholarship award presented by Challenger Athletics. This scholarship was established to honor Jack Ward and the incredible individuals who volunteer their time to support Challenger Athletics. Challenger’s mission is to develop independence, confidence and self-esteem through socialization and non-competitive sports programs for individuals with physical and learning disabilities.
Sahn Ward was proud to be a sponsor of the 2025 CBIZ workplace challenge on Tuesday August 5th at Jones Beach. It was a wonderful evening spent with all the staff and families of Sahn Ward helping to support some of Long Island’s local charities.
Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano is proud to announce that two of our attorneys have been included in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers®. The Firm’s Co-Managing Member, Michael H. Sahn was named to Best Lawyers® in Land Use and Zoning. Partner, Joshua D. Brookstein, was named to Best Lawyers® in Land Use and Zoning, along with Municipal Law.
Recognition by Best Lawyers® is based entirely on peer review. Lawyers nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region.
In Michael Sahn’s most recent Innovate Long Island article, he discusses the challenges facing public schools, including the rise of charter schools, funding concerns, declining enrollment and needed infrastructure improvements.
Since our previous update, the Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”) has now enacted its new regulations that implement the State Legislature’s 2022 expansion of freshwater wetlands authority. These changes are anticipated to cover an additional one million acres of freshwater wetlands. The changes will expand regulation of the uses of the wetlands and buffer areas surrounding them.
Michael Sahn, Partner Josh Brookstein, and Associate Meaghan Hassan guided approvals from the Town of North Hempstead and other agencies for the creative redevelopment of the commercial center on Old Country Road in Carle Place where the former Chateau Briand catering and restaurant was located and which remains the home of the DSW Shoe Warehouse. Working with our clients, Scotto Brothers, and a talented team of architectural, land use, engineering and site plan design consultants, the re-imagined center will include Long Island’s first Raising Cane restaurant, the DSW with new exterior treatment, a bank, and a new retail and commercial use building. The project took shape with the collaboration of Town and Civic officials in a true partnership to bring about a first-class re-use of the property.
In Michael Sahn’s most recent Innovate Long Island article, he discusses how excessive government regulations conflict with policy agendas, and the need for appropriate regulations to implement new programs and policies.
Our Suffolk County office in Hauppauge continues to grow under the leadership of our talented team of attorneys, John Farrell, Edward McCabe, and Samuel L. Bifulco, who provide top-tier legal services across the Long Island region, with a focus on Suffolk County. As our Suffolk County office expands, we remain committed to serving our clients with the utmost professionalism and dedication. Whether in the areas of Land Use and Zoning, Commercial and Residential Real Estate, Litigation, Business Transactions, or Trusts and Estates, the Suffolk County office continues to guide clients through complex legal issues.
Our Suffolk County office in Hauppauge continues to grow under the leadership of our talented team of attorneys, John Farrell, Edward McCabe, and Samuel L. Bifulco, who provide top-tier legal services across the Long Island region, with a focus on Suffolk County. As our Suffolk County office expands, we remain committed to serving our clients with the utmost professionalism and dedication. Whether in the areas of Land Use and Zoning, Commercial and Residential Real Estate, Litigation, Business Transactions, or Trusts and Estates, the Suffolk County office continues to guide clients through complex legal issues.
In Michael Sahn’s most recent Innovate Long Island article, he discusses the potential for nuclear power to be a viable source of renewable energy for Long Island. Read the full article below.
Firm Member, Elisabetta Coschignano, and Partner, Ellen Savino, guided a prestigious New York City/Long Island based real estate investment firm on a multi-layered complex transaction involving the acquisition and zoning of a parcel in Patchogue for use as a multi-family development. Elisabetta guided the client through the various departments in the Town of Brookhaven, the Suffolk County Department of Health, and the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, and secured the necessary site plan approvals. Ellen worked tirelessly on resolving unique title and contract issues to successfully close the transaction. Congratulations Elisabetta and Ellen on this outstanding work!
Nassau Lawyer has published Partner, Joshua Brookstein’s article which addresses how local government must ensure that License Plate Readers are not used against the same people they are meant to protect. Read the full article below.
Partner, Danny D. De Voe, was a panelist for the Labor and Employment Law Section of the New York State Bar Association and spoke on the “Best Practices When Drafting Employee Handbooks”. Danny’s panel focused on this critically important, but often overlooked, tool for corporate compliance with the local, state and federal labor laws. Danny spoke about the best practices when drafting employee handbooks and how to avoid legal pitfalls in the process. Danny’s panel also provided helpful insights on what to expect with a new administration, particularly considering the new administration’s peculiar pro-union pick to head the Department of Labor while also regaining control of the National Labor Relations Board as a consequence of the Senate’s failure to secure enough votes by December 16, 2024 to lock in Laura McFerran as Chair of the National Labor Relations Board for another 5 year term. Danny and her panel predicted what the structure of the NLRB would look like with a Republican majority sitting on the board and the decisions they predict will be overturned as a consequence. Danny attended the Labor and Employment Law Section’s committee meetings with firm Associates, Hillary K. Massey and Brandon C. Kemp.
If you have not updated your employee handbook for more than three (3) years, now is the time to reach out to Danny and her team to discuss getting your handbook up to date and in compliance with the current local, state and federal laws.
As Michael writes, Long Island communities should consider an ‘Island of Yes’ approach to more and new housing opportunities that work for their own needs.
John L. Parker, Partner, accepted the Environmental and Energy Law Section's nomination to become the Secretary of the Section with his term to commence in June 2025. John has previously taken a leadership role on the Executive Committee, and as Chair of the Legislation Committee for the past several years. Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano was a proud sponsor of this year’s section events. John is preparing a client update for 2025 on important and developing New York law topics including hazardous waste and superfund redevelopment issues, changes to wetlands law and regulations that will impact development and enforcement initiatives, and the sweeping new Climate Change Superfund Act.
John also serves as Chair of the Environmental Law Committee for the Nassau County Bar Association, where you will find his upcoming February 2025 article in the Nassau Lawyer, “Rechargeable Batteries Required for Renewable Energy Success: Despite State Guidance and Safety Review, Public Concerns Remain at the Local Level.” It addresses important developments impacting our communities regarding local approvals needed to meet New York’s pressing climate change deadlines.
Brandon C. Kemp, Esq. was recently a featured author in New York Zoning Law and Practice Report for his article entitled “Farming the Future in New York: Sweet Corn, Apples, Milk, Floriculture, & Electricity?”. In the article, Brandon discusses how renewable energy has the potential to offer farmers with a sustainable revenue steam while also safeguarding New York’s vital farmland. Read the full article below.
As the leaves fall and winter weather approaches, check out this must read article published in Nassau Lawyer about tree disputes and tips for considering how to resolve them. Read Firm's Partner, Joshua Brookstein's, full article below.
As founder and Chair of the Nassau County Bar Association’s School Engagement Subcommittee, Josh leads the development and expansion of Nassau County’s Elementary and Middle School Mock Trial Program. Click below to listen to the broadcast and to learn more about the mock trial program and the subcommittee’s other community engagement initiatives.
Sahn Ward was proud to be a sponsor of The New York Bar Foundation’s Cocktail Reception in connection with the New York State Bar Association's Annual Meeting which began on January 15th and extends through January 17th. The New York Bar Foundation is the charitable arm of the New York State Bar Association. The New York Bar Foundation gives out grants to over 100 legal service organizations across New York State, including such organizations as the Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc. which provides pro bono legal assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Associate, Hillary Massey, Esq., attended the event on behalf of the Firm, pictured here with the Honorable Cheryl Chambers, President of the New York Bar Foundation and Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department