John S. Harris
Member

Mr. Harris is a partner of the firm and a member of the Energy Industry Team and Environmental Law Practice Group.  Mr. Harris also is a member of the Public Finance and Economic Development and the Commercial Real Estate Practice Groups, and the Municipalities and Quasi Governmental Agencies, Financial Institutions and Capital Markets, and Real Estate Developers Industry Teams.  He focuses his practice on the intersection of law, business, and government.  Mr. Harris has significant experience working with clients on environmental, energy, and government affairs matters, representing clients before state and local agencies in connection with the regulatory review, permitting, financing and development of projects such as residential apartment complexes, solid waste and recycling facilities, asphalt plants, mines, golf courses, office buildings, casinos, shopping centers and electric transmission and generation projects.  Mr. Harris has counseled clients in connection with large hazardous waste remediations, violations of the state’s pesticide regulations, negotiated consent orders with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and assisted with the preparation of applications to DEC for eligibility in New York’s Brownfield Tax Credit Program.

Mr. Harris also works with clients in connection with proposed regulations and agency guidelines.  He has advised insurers, computer companies, real estate developers, utilities and energy companies on pending legislation and rule making in the State of New York.

Mr. Harris counsels clients on developing bids and proposals for government contracts, and in negotiating and drafting final contract provisions.  Mr. Harris’ legislative and procurement experience includes advising clients with respect to lobbying law, state finance law, and ethics issues.  A significant part of Mr. Harris’ practice focuses on counseling clients contracting with or seeking financing or financial assistance from various agencies and authorities in the State of New York, including the Office of General Services, the Empire State Development Corporation, the New York State Thruway Authority, the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Mr. Harris has provided advice and counsel to clients on various energy projects and proceedings, including the permitting of both fossil fuel and renewable power generating facilities, the permitting of transmission cable projects, the sale and purchase of regulated assets, and strategies for deploying sources of alternative energy, such as fuel cells.

With a strong background in public finance, Mr. Harris has represented school districts, municipalities, industrial development agencies and other tax-exempt organizations as borrower’s counsel and bond counsel on numerous tax-exempt transactions.  He has represented underwriters, trustees, and letter of credit banks on taxable and tax-exempt financings, including general obligation, revenue bond, certificate of participation, and lease purchase financings.