2017 Women in Professional Services: Andrea Tsoukalas of Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Terrana, LLP

Name: Andrea Tsoukalas

Title: Partner

Company Name: Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Terrana LLP

Years in real estate: 17

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of? LIREG, New York State Bar Association, Nassau County Bar Association, and Nassau County Women’s Bar Association

What trends are you seeing so far this year? The biggest trend I am tracking this year is the emergence of renewable energy in both the public and private sectors. New York State has a target to source 50% of energy from renewables by 2030. Examples of renewable energy are combined heat and power (CHP), solar, wind and fuel cells. In January of this year, LIPA approved the development of New York’s first offshore wind farm located off the east end of Long Island. The CEO of LIPA, Tom Falcone, has stated that PSEG customers on Long Island have saved $735 million in electricity costs from the company’s energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. In response to this growing trend, our firm launched a Renewable Energy Practice Group last year to assist clients in determining and accessing the renewable energy incentives available through New York State’s $5 billion Clean Energy Fund which is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

What do you do for fun? I love traveling and spending quality time with my friends and family. Traveling is fun for me because I enjoy the adventure, experiencing new cultures, tasting new cuisine and meeting new people.

Andrea Tsoukalas (New York Law School, 2000, cum laude); joined the firm in January of 2005 and concentrates her practice in zoning, land use, environmental and municipal law matters. Tsoukalas represents a wide variety of clients including national corporate chains, local developers and small business owners in the development of commercial and residential properties. 

Tsoukalas also has experience in appellate practice and civil litigation. She litigates contract and real estate claims, corporate and partnership disputes, and regulatory claims arising out of building and zoning code violations. She is admitted to practice before the New York State Bar. She was honored by the Long Island Business News with its 40 Under 40 award (2012). She was listed by the same publication as a ‘Who’s Who in Women in Professional Service.’ She was honored by the John J. Byrne Community Center with its Long Island Outstanding Advocate for Children and Youth Award (2012) and by the Queens Courier with its Top Women in Business Award, honoring influential women in business whose achievements make a difference in the community. Most recently, she was honored by Hofstra University with the “Outstanding Women in Law” award.

Tsoukalas is general counsel to the Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association, a nationally recognized non-profit trade association with over 600 members. She also serves as counsel to the Village of Kensington Board of Trustees, Zoning Board of Appeals and Architectural Review Board. She is also a member of the New York State Bar Association, Nassau County Bar Association, and Nassau County Women’s Bar Association. She also served as the Treasurer and was appointed a director of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association.