2021 Women in CRE: Andrea Tsoukalas Curto, Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP

Name: Andrea Tsoukalas Curto, Esq.

Title: Partner

Company Name: Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP

How do you contribute to your community or your profession?
I contribute to my community by serving as chair of the Village of Roslyn Harbor Planning Board, which reviews subdivision and site plan applications for all new land use, development and construction activities within the village.   When reviewing an application, we consider the impact of the proposed development on the neighborhood and surrounding uses, including the compatibility of the proposed architecture.  The next major project that will be presented to our board is the subdivision and cluster development of Engineers Country Club, a 140-acre golf course that is centrally located in the village. I am happy to volunteer my time to be a part of this planning process and I recognize how important our role is in protecting the overall aesthetic of the village and quality of life for village residents.

I contribute to my profession by serving on the Board of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Foundation. We raise money for underprivileged women who are in law school and provide scholarships for qualified candidates. We also host golf outings and other events to raise money for women with breast cancer and donate annually to organizations that support women with breast cancer. Both of these causes are near and dear to my heart and I’m proud to be a part of an organization that empowers women in so many ways.

I also contribute to my profession by hosting Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses on land use and zoning topics. We recently conducted a mock zoning hearing in conjunction with the Nassau Academy of Law. We received positive feedback that this live hearing format was helpful in understanding the nuances of zoning laws and standards, how expert testimony is used to present a case, and how to address resident concerns and generalized opposition to an application. I enjoyed collaborating with a panel of well-respected attorneys and consultants.