Event Overview
Thursday, January 16, 2025
8:50 AM – 4:30 PM – CLE Program
Start the new year off right with timely information and skills for 2025. This “New Year’s Resolutions” themed program will include hot topics in land use and environmental law, tools for prudent governmental management, and the ethical considerations that arise during the transition of power from one government to a newly elected one.
Local and State Government Law Section Chair:
Steven Leventhal
Program Chairs:
Victoria Polidoro and Emily Svenson
General Registration Fee
Required for all Annual Meeting attendees.
| NYSBA Members | $250 |
| Non-members | $350 |
+plus…
$195 Program Registration Fee
Local and State Government Law Section Annual Meeting Program
Thursday, January 16, 2025
New York Hilton Midtown
CLE Program | 8:50 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. | Gramercy West | Second Floor
6.5 MCLE Credits
5.5 MCLE Credits in Areas of Professional Practice, 1.0 MCLE Credit in Ethics and Professionalism
This program is transitional and is suitable for all attorneys including those
newly admitted.
8:50 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Introduction
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.
New York State Wetlands Regulation Changes
Following legislation adopted in 2022, New York State is now rolling out rigorous new regulations affecting development in and around freshwater wetlands, enhancing the restrictions on construction activities while also expanding the types of wetlands regulated. Opinions vary on these regulations, in the private and public sectors. A panel comprising individuals with these varying opinions–including a land use attorney, a wetlands specialist, and an attorney for a public interest group that advocates for the protection of water bodies–will offer an insightful and engaging conversation on the perceived benefits and disadvantages of the proposed regulations. The panelists will discuss the challenges of balancing freshwater wetlands protection goals and reasonable accommodations for growth, keeping in mind the State's housing, workforce, and renewable energy goals.
Speaker
James A. Bates, CPESC, CPSWQ | Managing Member Ecological Analysis, LLC Middletown, NY
Drew Victoria Gamils, Esq. | Senior Attorney Riverkeeper Ossining, NY
Maximillian R. Mahalek, Esq. | Associate Cuddy & Feder LLP White Plains, NY
Anthony F. Morando, Esq. | Partner Cuddy & Feder LLP Fishkill, NY
1.0 Credit in Areas of Professional Practice9:50 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.
Municipal Procurement Practices and Pitfalls
Experts from the NYS Office of the State Comptroller will discuss municipal procurement practices and tips to avoid problems. Bring your questions!
Speaker
Daniel Acquilano | Manager of Local Official Training New York State Office of the State Comptroller Albany, NY
Mark R. Stevens, Esq. | Supervising Attorney Division of Legal Services Office of the State Comptroller Rensselaer, NY
1.0 Credit in Areas of Professional Practice10:40 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.
Break
10:55 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.
Case Law Update
Discussion of important recent municipal and land use-related decisions in state and federal courts.
Speaker
Michael D. Zarin, Esq. | Senior Partner/Principal Zarin & Steinmetz LLP White Plains, NY
1.5 Credits in Areas of Professional Practice12:10 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
Lunch on Attendees Own
1:20 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Hot Topics in FOIL and OML
Hot topics in Freedom of Information Law and Open Meetings Law from the NYS Committee on Open Government.
Speaker
Kristin O’Neill, Esq. | Deputy Director and Counsel NYS Committee on Open Government Albany, NY
1.0 Credit in Areas of Professional Practice2:10 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
NYS Affordable Housing Initiatives and What Municipalities Need to Know
This course will provide a broad view of the affordable housing initiatives the State of New York passed in the 2024 Fiscal Year budget and look on the horizon for 2025. This review will include a discussion on tax exemptions for affordable housing and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) changes made in the budget. The course will also tackle valuation issues for real property that may result from the aforementioned changes.
Speaker
Dylan C. Harris, Esq. | Partner Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP Poughkeepsie, NY
Daniel Hubbell, Esq. | Partner Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP Albany, NY
Steven Sherwood, MAI | Valuation Plus, Inc New York, NY
1.0 Credit in Areas of Professional Practice3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Break
3:15 p.m. – 4:05 p.m.
Ethics of Political Transitions
As the new year brings changes in leadership, this course will focus on ethical issues that arise during political transitions. Sample topics may include vacancies in office, populating appointed boards, conducting an organizational meeting, delivery of government property, personnel decisions, and issues specific to municipal attorney transitions.
Speaker
Steven G. Leventhal, Esq. | Leventhal, Mullaney & Blinkoff, LLP Roslyn, NY
Rhea Mallett, Esq. | Partner, McCarthy Fingar LLP White Plains, NY
1.0 Credit in Ethics and Professionalism4:05 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Talia Land
J.D. (expected 2025)
Brooklyn Law School, Brookyln, NY
Talia Land is a 3L at Brooklyn Law School. At Brooklyn, she serves as an Associate Managing Editor of the Journal of Law and Policy and the Vice President of the Labor and Employment Law Association. Talia has worked in all levels of government. Her professional experience includes roles at the New York City Law Department and the New York State Attorney General’s Office, where she contributed to significant employment and civil rights cases. Talia has also worked as a paralegal at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and is currently a Student Prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York.
Following graduation, Talia will be joining the 2025 entry class for the New York City Law Department. She currently lives in Brooklyn and grew up in Larchmont, New York. In her free time Talia enjoys playing lacrosse, spending time with friends and family, and trying New York City restaurants.
Diamond Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Sponsorship Opportunities – 2025 NYSBA Local and State Government Law Section Annual Meeting
Support the NYSBA Local and State Government Law Section by becoming a sponsor at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Various sponsorship packages offer unique benefits, including visibility across our CLE programs, networking events, and marketing materials.
For more details, or to become a sponsor, please contact:
Emily Kurtzner, Program and Event Manager
Email: ekurtzner@nysba.org
Phone: +1 (518) 487-5582
Download the full sponsorship form and register today!