Introduction
The Public Law Practice Group consists of eight attorneys who possess extensive experience in assisting municipalities as they deal with the sensitive issues surrounding solid waste management; the special demands of public finance; the formation and operation of authorities and special districts; as well as real estate, and land use planning. Our familiarity with the complexities of municipal organizational structures, and the sensitivities (both budgetary and political) unique to the careful handling of municipal issues, have contributed to our clients’ success in all areas of public endeavor.
Developing and Defending Large Scale, Controversial Projects
Our Public Law Practice Group has extensive experience in the siting, environmental review, permitting, and development of large scale, and often controversial, infrastructure projects ... as well as a solid track record in defending those projects in administrative proceedings and in the courts. We represent municipal clients in all aspects of environmental litigation, with a special emphasis on SEQRA review and the permitting or defense of solid waste management projects including resource recovery plants, landfills, and other facilities. We also have extensive experience in handling hazardous waste and petroleum liability cases arising under the Comprehensive Environmental Conservation Law and Liability Act (CERCLA or “Superfund”) and state laws.
Public Finance
Our Public Law Practice Group has successfully represented a wide variety of clients in dealing with all aspects of public finance from bond issuance (taxable, non-taxable, public purpose and private activity) to public contracting and the tax-status evaluation of projects. Clients for whom we have served as Bond Counsel include counties, towns, villages, water and sewer authorities, fire districts, and industrial development agencies. Projects on which we have served as Special Transaction Counsel include a waste to energy incinerator, a high technology research center, a major airport expansion project, a
downtown hotel and convention facility, and a major manufacturing facility. We have also been involved in the financing of parks, municipal buildings, community colleges, sewer and water lines, commercial office buildings, highways and bridges, business improvement districts and retail establishments as well as many other municipal projects. Boylan, Brown is listed as approved Bond Counsel in the “Red Book” which is limited to only those firms who have issued qualifying opinions as to the tax-exempt status of bonds.
Public Authorities and Special Districts
Our attorneys have been involved in the formation and administration of several public authorities in New York State including two combined water and sewer authorities, a solid waste authority, and an airport authority. We represent several water authorities on the complex and politically sensitive issues involved in the transition from local to regional water systems. We are experienced in the formation of special districts and special improvement areas such as water and sewer districts, sidewalk districts, drainage districts, and special road improvement assessment areas. We have represented municipalities and authorities on a wide variety of issues including real property and easement acquisition, condemnation, and taxation.
Government Operations
Attorneys in our Public Law Practice Group are well-versed in the complexities of governmental operations, and have assisted municipalities with everything from legislative redistricting and the restructuring of specific operations for cost-efficiency to the total reorganization of a county government including charter revision. We are also one of the leading firms in New York State in the area of public employee contracts, benefits, and discrimination issues.
Litigation
Our attorneys have had extensive experience and solid success representing municipalities in all aspects of litigation including tort defense, civil rights, employment, and construction-related issues.
Public & Municipal Law