Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s New York planning and zoning team advises clients on municipal and state approvals relating to zoning, construction, building codes, and preservation. The team also guides lenders and investors on zoning due diligence and represents clients in litigation arising from land use administrative proceedings. Judith Gallent leads the practice, with extensive experience across all aspects of New York City’s land use processes, including zoning analysis, air rights transfers, and securing discretionary approvals from planning commissions and boards. James Colgate advises on special permits and zoning variances and acts as land use counsel to developers, while Kurt Steinhouse brings expertise in zoning and construction codes as well as environmental review requirements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘This team's combination of exceptional knowledge and creativity in all things NYC Zoning and Building Codes is unparalleled, yet it's wrapped in an unusually user-friendly, service-oriented, and cost-efficient manner of doing business. The two partners are at the top of their field, are extremely experienced, and are on top of each of their projects directly. My experience in meetings with them with government agency officials is that they are highly-respected and seen as honest and valued partners with the City, which is helpful on complicated, arcane, and significant matters.’
‘It is my experience that the combination of expertise and experience, along with the seriousness of purpose of the lead partner I work most closely with, Judith Gallent, and her partner, James Colgate, is unusual and noteworthy. They are always available and always prepared. They are professional, expert, personable, and always a pleasure to work with.’
'Very knowledgeable about zoning in NYC and the process for permitted use amendments.'
'Judy Gallent has worked with our building for many years and helped us successfully achieve a special permit for zoning amendment to enable retail space.'
Key clients
- New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority
- International Code Council Inc.
- F&T Group
- Silverstein Properties
- Empire State Development Corporation
- The Archdiocese of New York
- Success Academy Charter Schools
- St. Nicks Alliance
- Janus Property Company
- Educational Housing Services, Inc.
- Ares Real Estate Income Trust
- Sherwood Equities
Work highlights
Representing Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the public authority that develops and operates New York City’s mass transit system, in various land use matters including development of the Second Avenue Subway, a new bus terminal and bus depot in Queens, NY, and transit-oriented development in Brooklyn.
Representing TDC and F&T Group in connection with land use approvals for the Flushing Commons project in Flushing, New York, which involves the redevelopment of a municipal parking lot into an approximately 1.16 million square foot multi-building complex with a 1.5 acre publicly accessible open space and a 1600-space below-grade public parking garage.
Assisting the Archdiocese of New York with its diverse portfolio of existing churches, schools, convents and rectories as well as vacant development sites. This includes performing zoning and building code analyses each year, assessing adaptive re-use and/or redevelopment opportunities in advance of listing the properties for sale.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Judith Gallent
Other key lawyers
James Colgate; Kurt Steinhouse