Michael is a member in our public finance and economic development practice. He represents clients in all areas of development projects, including planning, zoning applications, environmental reviews under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) as well as School Law and related proceedings.
As Corporation Counsel for the City of Yonkers, New York’s fourth most populous city, and General Counsel of the Yonkers Public Schools, one of its largest school districts, Michael provided legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, School Board of Trustees, Superintendent of Schools, commissioners, and city and school personnel on matters of policy, procedure, contracts and daily operational issues. He also coordinated and oversaw all litigation against or on behalf of the City and the Yonkers Public Schools.
In addition, Michael played a leading role in several significant Yonkers economic development projects, including:
- Handled the municipal legal work related to development approvals of over 3,000 residential units; of those, one-third have been constructed or are under construction
- Negotiated and drafted the land disposition agreement for the redevelopment of the long-shuttered Boyce Thompson Institute, a 85,000-square-foot mixed-use redevelopment
- Negotiated the contract of sale of the former waterfront City Jail to a noted art collector for adaptive re-use
- Authored the City’s Affordable Housing ordinance, Transit Oriented Development Ordinance; Green Buildings Ordinance; and Art District Ordinance
Michael also has experience in legislative matters from his time as an aide with the New York State Senate and in criminal matters as a Westchester County Assistant District Attorney. He is also a former Principal Law Secretary for a New York State Supreme Court Justice.
