In Brief

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP's multi-disciplinary condemnation practice is comprised of areas such as tax, real estate, environmental, litigation and transactional. The firm works with clients to maximize condemnation awards through negotiation and litigation and assists developers where condemnation is part of the development process for large projects.

Our zoning lawyers provide the same expertise in condemnation as they do in advising clients in developing sites to the full extent permitted by law. Kramer Levin’s Land Use Department has one of the largest and most sophisticated zoning practices in New York City. Our attorneys have deep experience handling all aspects of site development, including zoning changes, special permits, variances, landmark proceedings, air rights transfers, tax abatements and economic development incentives. Our expertise is broad and diverse, having worked with major corporations, financial institutions, non-profit organizations, and commercial and residential developers on matters ranging in scale and complexity from securing zoning approvals and negotiating economic incentive packages for many of New York City’s most prominent office towers, to individual variances and landmark approvals for alterations to existing residential and commercial buildings.

The firm’s Tax Department advises clients concerning tax issues to help clients receive the full tax benefits that they are entitled to in condemnation.

Kramer Levin’s Real Estate and Environmental Departments handle New York’s most high-profile real estate, environmental and land use disputes. Recently, Kramer Levin played an instrumental role in achieving two litigation successes as Forest City Ratner Companies, LLC’s lead litigation counsel in connection with Brooklyn’s Atlantic Yards project.

Kramer Levin's Real Estate Department also assists in resolving title issues and facilitating payments from the condemnors. The firm’s environmental lawyers play a vital role with respect to remediation and other environmental issues relating to the use of property which is condemned.

Applied Expertise

Jim Greilsheimer, head of the condemnation group, has many year of experience in condemnation law and served as the Chief of the Condemnation Unit for the US Attorney in the Southern District of New York and as First Assistant Corporation Counsel for New York City during the city’s fiscal crisis. He is a specialist in condemnation and government-related litigation at the local, state and federal levels.