I firmly believe that it pays off to “think before you lawyer.” In other words, it’s important to consider the big picture, identify potential delays and pitfalls, and assess the clients’ goals before embarking on a particular path or strategy. My team and I are excellent at taking in the broad view and then problem solving within an economical fee structure. That approach significantly helps clients avoid unnecessary costs and time-consuming legal battles, and it maximizes their success rates.
New York City attorney Chris Rizzo combines environmental law, land-use, real estate and litigation in his practice. Chris handles disputes and transactional matters arising out of environmental impact reviews for state and city-sponsored projects, local zoning and preservation laws and construction matters. He also helps private clients and nonprofit organizations navigate issues involving open space preservation, construction access, development agreements and licenses, hazardous materials management and more.
On the litigation side, Chris advocates for clients in lawsuits stemming from land use, construction, and contracts disputes. He also works closely with the firm’s real estate and corporate departments on due diligence related to land transactions and corporate mergers and acquisitions.
Chris counsels many co-op and condominium clients that are dealing with land use and construction issues. He counsels not-for-profit religious organizations, landowners, and institutions on management of their real estate resources or investment in new projects. His team at Carter Ledyard has an unparalleled understanding in particular about nuances of land-use, regulatory and environmental issues throughout the New York metropolitan area. He and his team excel at notifying clients about the issues, permits, and approvals needed for a project or an action, and they diligently assist clients in meeting the schedules and deadlines for projects undergoing assessment.
Beyond the city, Chris and the group assist New York state agencies and state public benefit corporations carrying out a wide variety of public projects involving transportation, energy and environmental remediation. He finds it gratifying to prepare and shape environmental impact statements for many types of projects. With a strong commitment to public service, Chris and his team donate time to community-based organizations working to protect and revitalize New York City’s parks and public spaces, as well as to groups advocating for immigration rights. In all his endeavors, Chris uses highly strategic and often creative approaches.
The 2009-2010 financial crisis and 2020 COVID- 19-pandemic and financial crisis have fundamentally re-shaped the way clients (public, private and nonprofit) seek legal services. They want creative solutions and cost-effective advice. At the same time, New York City and New York State (and possibly the federal government after the 2020 election) are taking a more aggressive regulatory approach to climate change policies, renewable energy, storm resiliency, and affordable housing. With its deep land-use and environmental experience and the assistance of a full-service law firm, Carter Ledyard is well positioned to advise clients on this new and more challenging fiscal and legal environment.