Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

The New York-based planning and zoning practice at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner assists clients with obtaining a range of municipal and state approvals related to zoning, construction, building codes, historic preservation, and related issues, in addition to advising lenders and investors on their financing-related zoning due diligence. The department is also competent in litigation arising out of land use administrative proceedings. With noteworthy expertise in planning, zoning and developments, the experienced Judith Gallent leads the team. Combining experience as architect and lawyer, James Colgate possesses unique insight in connection with a variety of land use issues; both Gallent and Colgate are described by clients as ‘probably the best in their respective fields in New York’ and ’brilliant’. Associate Kurt Steinhouse is also highly recommended

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'It's our experience that there is no other NYC firm that combines the expertise in the field of land use and Dept of Buildings issues with client service that Bryan Cave's group offers. Legal, code and practical advice is without peer, in our opinion, at the same time that approachability, accessibility and reasonable billing is their standard.'
'They never fail to deliver on both good, practical advice and execution. They are highly respected by NYC agencies, which is extremely valuable when pursuing projects in a complicated environment.'
'Judy Gallent on the land use side and James Colgate on the NYC Code side are probably the best in their respective fields in New York, notwithstanding that they do not have the largest or best-known group. They are each brilliant and collaborate with each other and our staff exceedingly well. They are each experienced and know their way around New York history and agencies and are highly respected, allowing for an honest working relationship that has always resulted in success. They are each friendly and easy to work with.'
'It is both a rare pleasure to work with them relative to others in the field and their record of consistent successes for both small firms and large institutions speaks for itself.'

Key clients

Silverstein Properties
Empire State Development Corporation
Success Academy Charter Schools
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Silverstein Capital Partners
The Hudson Companies
St. Nicks Alliance
Janus Property Company
Breaking Ground
New York University
The Archdiocese of New York
Center Street Capital
Consolidated Edison of New York
Joseph Safra Real Estate
Ares Real Estate Income Trust
International Code Council Inc.
Educational Housing Services, Inc.
Spring Capital

Work highlights

Advised Metropolitan Transportation Authority on land use matters, including the reconstruction of Penn Station and the $82m purchase of a site in East Harlem from Extell Development to serve as the terminus of New York City’s Second Avenue Subway line.
Assisted The Archdiocese of New York with its ongoing evaluation of its real estate portfolio, consisting primarily of churches, schools, convents, rectories and vacant development sites.
Advised Success Academy, New York City’s largest charter school network, on the land use aspects of its development of an approximately 300,000 sf K-12 school in Bronx, NY.