Municipal Law and Land Use

Comprehensive Representation for Municipal Law and Land Use Matters

At Kaufman Dolowich, we represent municipal entities, including villages, towns and quasi-public agencies, in a wide range of municipal law and land use matters. Our attorneys are committed to the civic principles that guide local governance, and we provide experienced legal counsel to clients navigating the complexities of municipal law.

Whether serving as village or town attorneys or acting as special counsel to municipalities, we offer experienced legal guidance across a wide range of matters, including Open Meeting Laws, public records compliance, and employment-related issues. We also provide specific guidance to land use boards navigating complex regulatory and procedural challenges. At KD, we are committed to delivering trusted, results-oriented counsel tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Our municipal law and land use attorneys offer a broad range of services, including:

• General Counsel and Special Municipal Counsel
  • Providing legal advice to municipal and quasi-municipal entities on an array of legal matters including land use, contract law, and constitutional law.
  • Serving as special counsel on complex proceedings and lawsuits in areas including Article 78, civil rights, tax certiorari, and police misconduct. 
• Open Meeting Law Compliance – Local governments and public bodies are subject to open meeting requirements designed to ensure transparency and accountability. While these principles are essential, compliance can be complex and, if mishandled, may lead to disputes or legal challenges. We help public agencies understand and navigate these requirements.
• Public Records Law Compliance – Similar to the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), many states have public records laws that provide access to government documents, while also protecting certain information from disclosure. We assist individuals and businesses in making effective records requests and advise public agencies on compliance and exemption matters.
• Land Use, Planning, and Zoning – We assist municipal clients in navigating local ordinances and federal regulations and statutes related to land use, planning, and zoning. In this capacity, we provide counsel to:
  • Planning Boards
  • Zoning Boards of Appeal 
  • Village Boards of Trustees and Town Boards
  • Other special boards (i.e. architectural review, harbor and coastal zone management) 
• Municipal Labor and Employment Law – We counsel municipalities on a variety of employment-related matters. This includes negotiating union contracts, employment contracts and severance agreements, counseling on employment policies, hiring, accommodations, disciplinary issues and termination, as well as defending against claims of discrimination, wage and hour, union grievances, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment. We also provide internal investigation services, risk management training and policy, procedures and employee handbook review, as a proactive and preventive strategy for our clients.
• Licensing and Permitting – From business licensing to special use permits, our attorneys assist with a wide range of local approvals. We guide clients through application processes, hearings, and appeals, when necessary.
• Other Municipal Law Matters – Our attorneys represent clients in many other aspects of municipal law as well. From regulatory and code enforcement matters to public works bidding and contracting, our experience is as broad as it is deep. We can assist with matters ranging from government relations and public finance to licensing, franchising and tax compliance, and we serve as both advisors and advocates for our clients to ensure that they are able to move forward with confidence. 

If you are interested in speaking with our municipal law and land use attorneys about certain issues, please contact our firm today. We can provide experienced representation for a variety of matters.