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Super Lawyers Recognizes Fourteen Attorneys at
Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC



Six Chosen to New York Metro Super Lawyers List, Eight More Selected as "Rising Stars"

Super Lawyers has recognized 14 attorneys from the Firm for 2017 honors. The 14 attorneys, amounting to three-fourths of the Firm's Partners and Associates, were recognized in the practice areas of land use and zoning law, real estate law, environmental law, family law, and business and general litigation.

Six attorneys were selected to the 2017 New York Metro Super Lawyers list and eight more attorneys from the Firm have been selected to the 2017 New York Metro Super Lawyers "Rising Stars" list.

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New York City PRACTICE UPDATE

Dan Braff acted as special zoning counsel to a Manhattan-based law firm in connection with that firm's representation of a lender having a substantial mortgage on an industrial property in Queens. The owner of the property, subject to the mortgage, sought to merge its zoning lot with an adjoining zoning lot to facilitate the redevelopment of the property with a new four-story warehouse and showroom. As a "party in interest," pursuant to the New York City Zoning Resolution, the lender was required to waive its right to execute the Declaration of Zoning Lot Restrictions, which is the document necessary to effectuate a zoning lot merger in New York City. As special zoning counsel, Mr. Braff helped guide the law firm and its client through the complex requirements and address the potential risks associated with zoning lot mergers in New York City.

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Environment, Energy, and Resources PRACTICE UPDATE

Firm Provides Environmental Counsel for the Shinnecock Indian Nation

The Shinnecock Indian Nation has retained Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC to provide advice and legal representation on environmental matters. Miriam Villani, a Partner with the Firm and head of the Firm's Environment, Energy, and Resources Practice Group, will lead the Firm's representation and counsel. Ms. Villani will work with the Shinnecock Environmental Department to develop laws and programs to assist with the Department's efforts on behalf of the Shinnecock Nation to protect the natural resources and wildlife habitat on Shinnecock lands and waterways. The scope of work will include the development and drafting of ordinances necessary to protect the health and safety of the people, land, water, and air within the Shinnecock territory; developing programs that will assist with the Nation's efforts to protect the environment, energy, and natural resources of the Shinnecock territory, with a focus on the protection of water resources; an assessment of the Tribe's water rights, including fishing and territorial rights; and drafting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency water quality standards and permitting approvals. Ms. Villani will be assisted by Thomas McKevitt, Counsel with the Firm.

MATTERS OF INTEREST

Firm Represents Roslyn Rescue in $5.5 Million Loan for New Firehouse in Greenvale

Michael H. Sahn, the Firm's Managing Partner, and Firm Partners Adam H. Koblenz and John P. Christopher represented Roslyn Rescue Fire Company in closing a $5.5 million loan from JP Morgan Chase to fund the construction of a new firehouse. This building and mortgage loan will allow the fire department to complete the firehouse as part of its mission to serve the public with state-of-the-art fire and rescue equipment.

Firm Completes Sale of Mixed-Use Building in Babylon Village

Christian Browne, a Partner with the Firm, represented a seller in a commercial real estate transaction involving a mixed-use building in the Village of Babylon. The 12,100-square-foot building has three floors, with 7,500 square feet of restaurant, office and retail space on the first floor and eight residential apartments on the top two floors, covering 2,300 square feet on each of the two floors. Michael J. Barone, Jr., an Associate with the Firm, assisted Mr. Browne with the transaction.

Firm Successfully Obtains Refinance for Commercial Property Owner

Wayne G. Edwards, a Partner with the Firm, and Firm Associate Michael J. Barone, Jr. represented a client in a refinance of commercial property in Springfield, Massachusetts. The property amounted to one square block in the city. The refinance included the payoff of an existing mortgage and the client taking on a new mortgage on the property.

Lawsuit Seeks to Block Development on Long Beach Property

Christian Browne, a Partner with the Firm, is co-counsel in a lawsuit filed on August 3 in New York State Supreme Court, Nassau County, seeking to halt the development of a six-acre parcel in Long Beach as two high-rise apartment buildings.

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FIRM NEWS

Firm Expands Its Practice with New Office Space

Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC has moved into a more spacious office on the sixth floor in the Omni Building, located at 333 Earle Ovington Boulevard in Uniondale. The new office will allow the Firm's attorneys and staff to collaborate more closely and better serve their clients.



Michael H. Sahn Will Join Panel at "Land Use Training Program for Municipal Planning and Zoning Officials" Conference

Michael H. Sahn, the Firm's Managing Partner, will participate in a Best Practices/Ethics Panel during the "Land Use Training Program for Municipal Planning and Zoning Officials" conference, which will take place on September 25 from 5:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center at Hofstra University's North Campus. Mr. Sahn will be joined by other attorneys and Sean Sallie, AICP, the Nassau County Department of Public Works' planning division supervisor, in a mock public hearing.

The event is being presented by the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, the Nassau County Planning Commission and the Institute of Real Estate at Hofstra University.

Click here to read about the event.

Elaine M. Colavito To Be Named One of the "Top 50 Women in Business" from Long Island Business News

Elaine M. Colavito, an Associate with the Firm, will be recognized as one of the "Top 50 Women in Business" by Long Island Business News at a special awards ceremony on October 19 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

Launched in 2000, the Top 50 Women in Business program has recognized Long Island's top women professionals for business acumen, mentoring and community involvement.

To read Ms. Colavito's biography, click here.

Joshua D. Brookstein Serves as NCBA's Community Relations & Public Education Committee as Vice Chair

Joshua D. Brookstein, an Associate with the Firm, serves as Vice Chair of the Community Relations & Public Education Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. In his new role, he will help plan seminars for the public. Mr. Brookstein will also serve as Co-Chair for "Dealing with Local Government," a seminar which will be held on November 30 at NCBA headquarters from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tom McKevitt, Counsel with the Firm, will be one of the panelists. He will discuss zoning and building issues.

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Elaine Colavito Named as LIBN's "Who's Who in Women in Professional Services"

Elaine Colavito, an Associate with the Firm, was featured in Long Island Business News' "Who's Who in Women in Professional Services." Her profile focused on her work with the Firm, as well as her role as President-elect of the Nassau County Women's Bar Association.

Click here to read the article.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LAW

Firm's Attorneys Contribute to Nassau Lawyer's September Issue Focused on Real Estate

Tom McKevitt, Counsel with the Firm, served as the Focus Editor for this month's edition of Nassau Lawyer, the official publication of the Nassau County Bar Association. This issue focused on real estate and municipal law. Mr. McKevitt previously served as Nassau Lawyer's Editor-in-Chief.

Michael H. Sahn and Nicholas J. Cappadora Address What Is Needed to Obtain Gross Floor Area Variances

Michael H. Sahn, the Firm's Managing Partner, and Firm Associate Nicholas J. Cappadora co-authored "Best Presentation Practices for Gross Floor Area Variances" for the September 2017 issue of Nassau Lawyer. The article discusses how local zoning boards often apply greater scrutiny towards bulk variances, specifically gross floor area variances, and what attorneys should know and do when seeking approval for a gross floor area variance.

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Michael J Barone, Jr. Asks Whether Attorneys Should Also Act as Their Clients' Real Estate Brokers

Michael J. Barone, Jr., an Associate with the Firm, wrote the article "A New Opinion on an Old Rule" for the September 2017 issue of Nassau Lawyer. The article explores the issue of whether it is a conflict of interest for an attorney to also serve as a client's broker in a real estate transaction.

The New York State Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics recently ruled that an attorney who accepts a broker's commission upon closing cannot act as the client's attorney because of the conflict of interest. Even if the attorney were to provide their services pro bono or if the client allowed the attorney to act as their broker, the attorney's personal interest — in this case, accepting a higher-paying commission rather than a lower-paying legal fee — would interfere with their ability to serve the client's best interests.

Click here to read the article.

Elaine Colavito's "Bench Briefs" Appears In Suffolk Lawyer

Elaine Colavito had her "Bench Briefs" column published in the September 2017 edition of The Suffolk Lawyer. "Bench Briefs" is a roundup of recent decisions from Suffolk County trial courts.

To review these decisions, click here.

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