
Across New York State municipalities face a wide range of challenges as they provide services to their residents. At Hodgson Russ our multidisciplinary municipal law team delivers value by assisting communities with the full range of legal and practical aspects of their endeavors. Led by former municipal officials, our team understands government from the inside, and provides cost effective assistance across the full range of issues, including labor and employment, economic development and public finance, zoning and land use, energy and environmental law, real property tax and eminent domain, construction project advice, as well as general municipal law, all backed by relentless advocacy for our clients in state and federal judicial and administrative forums.
Whether as general counsel, bond counsel, or as special counsel for specific projects or matters, Hodgson Russ attorneys can assist in all phases of municipal operations.
Labor and Employment Law
Our labor and employment clients include public employers with both union and nonunion workforces. The firm’s labor attorneys represent well over 100 public sector clients in the areas of contract negotiation, dispute resolution, discrimination case defense, and more. We regularly advise on matters arising from employee grievances and interpretation of union contracts. We aggressively defend employment discrimination matters in administrative and judicial forums.
We have extensive experience advising clients on compliance with New York State and federal laws and regulations concerning wage and hour laws, development of employment policies, employee discipline and discharge, and compliance with all other employment regulations affecting the employment relationship in New York State.
The firm’s labor attorneys regularly appear before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, the New York Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), as well as before other state administrative agencies involved in employment matters and both state and federal courts.
Environmental Law
Municipal clients face environmental challenges for their own operations as well as in the community from private enterprises. The experienced members of the Hodgson Russ Environment & Energy Practice Group provide comprehensive legal services to municipal clients as they navigate the complex body of law and regulations designed to protect public health and the environment. Our clients face a full range of environmental questions concerning wind and solar energy siting (including Article 10 proceedings) DEC and EPA enforcement actions, managing landfills and other waste disposal operations, fuel storage concerns, deteriorating housing stock, and brownfield cleanup and reuse. We are also well versed in the requirements for environmental evaluation of property and facilities and have guided many projects through the SEQRA review process.
Our representation on environmental matters includes litigation before state and federal administrative and judicial tribunals. The group’s members advise our municipal clients on environmental compliance, OSHA compliance, insurance, and audits and potential environmental liabilities associated with transfers of assets and financing transactions. The group has experience handling matters involving SEQRA, RCRA, TSCA, CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, toxic torts, and related insurance questions.
Hodgson Russ assists communities implementing sustainability and green energy and building programs. We provide assistance in implementing stormwater controls, energy efficiency programs, and green infrastructure implementation.
Hodgson Russ also assists communities in obtaining funding for environmental protection and remediation. The firm is well versed in the Environmental Facilities Corporation programs and grant requirements and has successfully represented communities in obtaining financing for such projects.
Land Use and Zoning
Hodgson Russ attorneys regularly provide service to municipalities in all aspects of land use and zoning matters. The firm’s services in this area include:
- Assisting in preparation of master plans and drafting local statutes to implement master plans and other desired changes in local regulation.
- Providing complete guidance in complying with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). Hodgson Russ has assisted many communities in all phases of the SEQRA process, from preparation of environmental assessment forms through issuance of negative and positive declarations and drafting and review of environmental impact statements. Hodgson Russ has successfully represented numerous municipalities in litigation arising out of the SEQRA review process.
- Providing legal representation for planning boards and zoning boards to address applications and interpret local codes and state law. Hodgson Russ has assisted in drafting decisions and statements of findings, as well as in guiding municipalities through complex approval processes.
- Providing assistance in dealing with regulatory requirements such as historic preservation regulations and reviews by state agencies such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and State Office of Historic Preservation.
- Assisting in reviewing proposals for alternative energy systems such as wind and solar farms. Efforts include drafting ordinances, reviewing specific proposals, negotiating host community agreements, and defending decisions.
Hodgson Russ is a member of the New York Planning Federation, which has been focused on promoting sound planning, land use and zoning practices in New York State since 1937.
Public Finance
Hodgson Russ maintains an extensive public finance practice, advising municipalities, school districts, public agencies, and authorities with respect to all aspects of their cash flow and infrastructure financings, from the structuring phase through the closing of permanent financing. In doing so, the firm’s attorneys work with the financial advisors, engineers, architects, and other professionals retained by the client, as well as representatives of the Rural Development Administration and, in New York State, the Dormitory Authority, the Environmental Facilities Corporation, the State Education Department, and other involved agencies. This team of attorneys also provides legal services to underwriters, banks, trustees, and project developers in connection with a wide range of municipal, project development, and other public financings.
The firm is listed in the Municipal Bond Attorneys section of The Bond Buyer’s Directory of Municipal Bond Dealers of the United States (the so-called "Red Book"). Hodgson Russ attorneys have acted as bond counsel or underwriter’s counsel in connection with the issuance of industrial revenue bonds, revenue anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes, budget notes, certificates of participation, statutory installment bonds, bond anticipation notes, and serial bonds.
Litigation
Hodgson Russ represents municipalities in all judicial and administrative forums, successfully litigating municipal issues at all levels, including the United States Supreme Court.
Litigation attorneys are resident in each of our offices, supported by a full complement of experienced paralegal specialists and staff. This experience and depth allows the firm to competently and efficiently handle litigation in any forum and to respond immediately to the problems or emergencies frequently encountered in the municipal setting. Litigation services include full representation at all administrative levels. The firm regularly represents clients at state agency hearings, and it provides representation for local governing boards in the permit-issuing process.
We have successfully litigated a wide array of zoning, employment, environmental, and numerous other cases for and on behalf of municipalities. Our successes include the defense of permit decisions and the environmental review process for numerous large projects throughout New York. We consistently defend town boards, planning boards, and zoning boards in connection with decisions made for their communities.
Real Property Tax Assessment
Taxes are the lifeblood of municipal government and Hodgson Russ attorneys provide skilled, practical guidance to municipalities, school districts, and counties, in all matters of real property tax administration. The firm advises county tax directors, municipal assessors, school district business managers and other stakeholders on a wide variety of real property tax issues. These issues start implementing revaluations and tax exemption applications, tax collection issues establishing and negotiating PILOT agreements, assessment grievance filings, as well as administrative and judicial proceedings at the trial and appellate level. Our experience includes former industrial lands and the complex issues raised by contaminated properties. We have worked on tax disputes involving some of the largest contaminated sites in the country. Our experience also includes working with properties that include power generation assets like wind farms and co-generation facilities, oil and gas facilities, pipelines, telecommunication towers, wineries and other agricultural properties.
- $3 Million Judgment in Municipal Labor Dispute Reversed in Favor of Client on Appeal
- Affirmance by the Second Circuit of Dismissal of Reverse Discrimination Suit Challenging Police Promotion Practices
- Allegany County Municipal Courthouse Project
- Appellate Division Rejects Claims of Telecommunication Companies Seeking Real Property Tax Exemptions
- Appellate Division Upholds Town Overlay District Protecting Wildlife Refuge
- Article 78 Proceedings Challenging Municipal Approvals and a Municipal Denial for a Warehousing Facility
- Class-Action Lawsuit Alleging Employment Discrimination Ends Favorably for City of Buffalo
- Creation of Local Development Corporations to Provide for Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Financing
- Defended Municipal Board Member’s Free Speech Rights against Claims of Pre-decision Bias
- Defense of a Challenge to a ZBA’s Determination to Grant a Use Variance
- Defense of a Planning Board’s Denial of an Extension of Permits for a Large-scale Wind Project
- Development and Environmental Litigation in Connection With Municipal Courthouse Project
- Dismissal of Claims on Behalf of Public Authority
- Dismissal of Race Bias Suit in Favor of Hodgson Russ Client
- Dismissal of Retaliation and Whistleblower Claims Made by Former Assistant DA Against Boss Affirmed
- Drafting of New Waterfront Planned Development District Law
- Federal Judge Dismisses Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Favor of Hodgson Russ Client
- Financing Counsel on Project Named North American Renewables Deal of the Year
- For New York State Town, Hodgson Russ Wins Federal Appeal
- Helping School District Clients Navigate the Court of Public Opinion
- Hodgson Russ Obtains Second Circuit Success in Constitutional Claims Against Ethics Board
- Host Community & Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes Agreements for Wind Energy Facilities
- IDA Representation in $50 Million Manufacturing Facility Relocation
- Litigation Challenging Approvals of a Hotel Development
- Obtained Favorable Court Decision Regarding Municipal Regulation on the Basis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Public Nursing Home Restructurings
- Public-Private Partnership for Municipal Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project
- Purchase of Historic Building for Redevelopment Purposes
- Real Estate Counsel to a Mid-Size Town
- Regional Approach to Financing/Addressing Combined Sewer Outflow Issues
- Representation of Municipality in Creation of Cluster Subdivision
- Represented Housing Authority on Common Law Indemnification Claim
- Represented Municipal Client on Cell Tower Project
- Resounding Success for Hodgson Russ Before the New York Court of Appeals
- Sale of Governmental Projects – Change in Use
- Successful Challenge to a Negative Declaration for a Large-scale Casino Development
- Successful Defense of a Municipality Against Attempt to Overturn Ordinance on Constitutional Grounds
- Successful Defense of Municipality in Action Alleging False Arrest
- Successful Defense of Senior Housing Project on Behalf of NYS Municipality in Environmental Lawsuit
- Successful Defense of the County Executive Dispute over Authority Granted by a County Charter
- Successful Representation of City Housing Authority in Employment Lawsuit
- Tax Refund Denial Benefits Multiple Municipalities and Public Entities
- Victory for Town Has Statewide Implications for Challenges to Real Property Assessments
- Win for Hodgson Russ Client in the Appellate Division
In the News
- Law360, June 9, 2023
- New York Law Review, January 13, 2021
- Times Telegram, November 20, 2020
- The Buffalo News, June 11, 2020
- Albany Business Review, October 18, 2019
- Buffalo News, February 9, 2019
- The Recorder, January 4, 2019
- Circuit Upholds Drug Testing of Buffalo FirefightersNew York Law Journal, July 5, 2013
- 2nd Circuit Rebuffs Challenge to Buffalo Firefighter TestThomson Reuters News & Insight, July 30, 2012
- Buffalo News, February 7, 2012
- February 4, 2010
- October 15, 2009
- October 15, 2009
- February 16, 2007
- April 28, 2006
Press Releases
- July 6, 2023
- June 6, 2023
Publications
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, November 28, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, May 16, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Renewable Energy & Municipal Alert, May 3, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Renewable Energy and Municipal Alert, April 29, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Municipal and Education Alert, April 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Renewable Energy Alert, January 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Renewable Energy Alert, November 30, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, October 29, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, September 2, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Media and First Amendment Alert, June 21, 2021
- Tax Notes State, August 17, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal and Education Alert, August 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, July 28, 2020
- Municipalities Hit with Deluge of FOIL Requests After Repeal of Section 50-a of the Civil Rights LawHodgson Russ Municipal Alert, June 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, May 5, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, April 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, April 10, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education, Municipal & Public Finance Alert, April 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Environmental Alert, April 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Public Finance Alert, April 1, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, March 30, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, March 17, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, March 16, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Renewable Energy and Municipal Alert, January 29, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, January 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Renewable Energy and Muncipal Law Alert, January 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Renewable Energy and Muncipal Law Alert, December 16, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Environmental, Municipal, and Public Finance Alert, November 12, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Municipal and Education Alert, October 21, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Municipal, Real Property Tax Assessment, and Telecommunications Alert, September 20, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Law Alert, May 22, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Environmental Alert, April 18, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 18, 2019
- Municipal Law Alert, February 27, 2019
- Renewable Energy Alert, February 13, 2019
- Real Property Tax Assessment & Eminent Domain Alert, February 11, 2019
- Municipal Law Alert, February 4, 2019
- Renewable Energy Alert, November 20, 2018
- Telecommunications Alert, October 5, 2018
- Municipal Law Alert, July 26, 2018
- Municipal Law Alert, August 4, 2017
- Central New York Business Journal, December 2015
- Public Authority Guidebook: A Compendium of Governing Law and Commentary that Every New York Authority Board Member Should KnowHodgson Russ Publication, July 2014
- Hodgson Russ Alert, February 12, 2014
- JD Supra, January 29, 2014
- Hodgson Russ Alert, January 29, 2014
- JD Supra, January 29, 2014
- Talk of the Towns, October 2013
- Talk of the Towns, April 26, 2013
- Talk of the Towns, a publication of the Association of Towns of the State of New York, January 29, 2013
- New York Zoning Law and Practice Report, March/April 2012
- Talk of the Towns, July/August 2009
- Talk of the Towns, July/August 2009
- New York Zoning Law and Practice Report, May/June 2009
- Talk of the Towns, a publication of the Association of Towns of the State of New York, September/October 2008
- Health Alert, July 2007
- New York Zoning and Practice Report, January/February 2007
- Municipal Alert, May 19, 2006
Presentations & Events
- Lake George, New York, August 11, 2023
- May 20, 2021
- April 19, 2021
- April 13, 2021
- April 13, 2021
- January 27, 2021
- January 21, 2021
- November 17, 2020
- June 24, 2020
- March 12, 2020
- February 17, 2020
- Rosie O'Grady's, 800 7th Avenue (Corner of 52nd Street), New York, NY 10019, February 16, 2020
- Troy, New York, December 11, 2019
- December 6, 2019
- Melville Marriott, Long Island, New York, November 14, 2019
- Albany, NY, September 25, 2019
- New York State Assessors’ Annual Training ConferenceLake Placid, New York, September 24, 2019
- Batavia, New York, September 10, 2019
- Batavia, New York, September 10, 2019
- Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY, June 13, 2019
- Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14225, May 16, 2019
- Rosie O'Grady's, 800 7th Avenue (Corner of 52nd Street), New York, NY 10019, February 17, 2019
- Albany, New York, January 16, 2019
- Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14225, May 17, 2018
- Wells Fargo Learning Center, 150 E 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017, December 1, 2017
- Millenium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY, May 25, 2017
- Cheektowaga, NY, May 17, 2016
- Saratoga Springs, NY, May 7, 2015
- Canada/U.S. Cross-Border Estate and Income Tax PlanningToronto, Ontario, September 17, 2014
- Buffalo, NY, May 22, 2014
- Buffalo, NY, May 16, 2013
- Buffalo, NY, May 17, 2012
- Belmont, NY, August 30, 2011
- Cheektowaga, NY, May 12, 2011
- Cheektowaga, NY, May 26, 2010