Steven Barshov is principal with Sive, Paget & Riesel, P.C. Mr. Bashov focuses his practice in land use law, environmental law, local government law, real estate, as well as related litigation. Having represented numerous developers, businesses, municipalities, and community organizations in more than 30 years of practice, he has handled projects of all sizes — from a large master planned community of 1195 units with a commercial center, to a small 3-unit subdivision, both inside and outside New York City. Mr. Bashov has litigated in the United States Supreme Court; in federal courts in the Second, Fifth and Tenth Circuits; and at the New York Court of Appeals, Appellate Divisions, and trial courts in multiple counties. He has been qualified as a land use law expert witness in Supreme Court, Nassau County. Mr. Bashov brings to any project a wide range of skills, including drafting complex real estate transactional documents, obtaining land use and related project approvals, undertaking required environmental analysis, and culminating in litigation, when necessary. He has written and lectured extensively in his areas of expertise. He is an adjunct Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School where he has taught Land Use Law, State and Local Government Law, and Real Estate Practice. Mr. Bashov earned his B.A. degree from Colgate University, and his J.D. degree from Brooklyn Law School.
Kathleen M. Bennett is a partner with Bond, Schoneck & King, PLLC, where she practices in the areas of environmental and property law. She has broad experience in land use matters, including site plan review, special permit review, variances, subdivisions and annexation. Ms. Bennett also has extensive knowledge of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act. She has appeared before several municipal boards on behalf of project sponsors on a range of projects from small (residential) to large (institutional). Ms. Bennett also has particular experience in land use and SEQRA litigation. In addition to land use matters, she has worked on matters involving state and federal regulatory compliance issues, particularly in the areas of wetlands, historic preservation, storm water, petroleum bulk storage, solid and hazardous waste disposal, environmental remediation, environmental aspects of real property and business transactions, and environmental litigation matters. Ms. Bennett also has experience in property tax assessment challenges and litigation. She earned her A.B. degree, magna cum laude, from Colgate University and her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law.
Simone M. Freeman is an attorney with Jaspan Schlesinger LLP. Ms. Freeman is an experienced land use and zoning attorney, with an extensive background in public sector/municipal law. Her expertise lies in executing public and private development, risk/site analysis, and litigation for public/municipal and private corporations. Through her practice in both the public and private sectors, she has become adept in overseeing a wide variety of legal, operational, and fiscal responsibilities relating to various types of public/municipal and private projects. Ms. Freeman is the treasurer of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York and a past president of the Nassau County Women's Bar Association. She earned her B.A. degree from Hofstra University, her M.A. degree from Fordham University and her J.D. degree from Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
Brody D. Smith is an attorney with the law firm of Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC. Mr. Brody has broad experience in many aspects of environmental law, including litigation, administrative proceedings and regulatory compliance. He has also handled over two hundred separate eminent domain matters in connection with the construction of underground gas pipelines, overhead electric lines and telephone lines. Mr. Brody has extensive experience appearing before town boards, planning boards and zoning boards across New York State, as well as the Environmental Control Board in New York City. His clients have included automobile manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, utilities, natural gas providers, mining companies, national retail chains, universities and developers. He also represents local businesses and municipalities. He received his B.A. degree from San Diego State University and his J.D. degree from Cornell Law School.
Daniel A. Spitzer is a partner with Hodgson Russ LLP, where he concentrates his practice on issues involving environmental law, renewable energy, sustainable development, land use law, municipal law, and real estate development. A primary part of Mr. Spitzer’s work focuses on National Environmental Policy Act and State Environmental Quality Review Act review and compliance with federal and state environmental statutes. He counsels agencies and private clients on compliance with historic preservation laws, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and other federal environmental statutes and regulations. Mr. Spitzer’s practice also includes work in areas concerning the valuation of property. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Spitzer earned his B.S. degree, cum laude, from the State University of New York at Oswego, his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from SUNY Buffalo Law School and his MSC in Sustainable Development, with Merit, University of London School of Oriental and African Studies.
Michael D. Zarin is a partner with Zarin & Steinmetz. Mr. Zarin has extensive experience representing municipalities and private interests in the areas of environmental and general litigation, land use, urban renewal and public private redevelopment, multi-party environmental litigation, site remediation and all aspects of environmental due diligence, counseling and general administrative law. He is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Environmental Section and co-chair of the Land Use Committee. Mr. Zarin earned his B.S. degree from University of Wisconsin at Madison and his J.D. degree from Hofstra University School of Law.
Henry A. Zomerfeld is an attorney with Hodgson Russ LLP. Mr. Zomerfeld concentrates his practice in environmental, energy, and municipal law. His practice includes representing businesses and municipalities in a variety of commercial and contract-based litigation, as well as advising clients on regulatory compliance, regulatory enforcement actions, and environmental risk assessment issues. Additionally, Mr. Zomerfeld represents municipalities in a variety of matters, including those related to takings, zoning, land use, and code enforcement. He earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from State University, College of Buffalo and his J.D. degree from University of Buffalo School of Law.