2025 Women in CRE:
Carol Rizzo, Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why?

With over three decades practicing tax assessment review law, I do not have just one rewarding case as I have saved taxpayers millions of dollars over the years. Every day I witness firsthand how assessments directly impact families and businesses, and I have the privilege of ensuring they get the tax relief they are entitled to. Most importantly, my work has allowed me to contribute to the integrity of the tax system itself. By holding government accountable to proper valuation standards and due process requirements, I have helped to ensure that the property tax burden is distributed fairly.

What skill or quality do you believe is essential for success in your field today?

Success in real property tax assessment review proceedings requires exceptional analytical skills to dissect complex valuations and identify assessment errors. Understanding the property at issue and mastering the law and appropriate appraisal methodology are crucial as cases hinge on technical valuation disputes. Strong communication skills are also vital for explaining intricate concepts to opposing counsel, judges and clients and are key in negotiating fair settlements. Finally, staying current on local market conditions and research technology all make for an effective advocate.

Carol Rizzo is a partner in Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP’s Tax Certiorari practice group.

Since 1995, Rizzo, Esq. was a prominent attorney in the field of real property tax assessment litigation at Koeppel Martone & Leistman, L.L.C., where she successfully handled assessment challenges for an array of property types.

Prior to her tenure at Koeppel, Rizzo was an assistant town attorney for the town of Islip, where she counseled and defended all phases of the assessment process. Rizzo also represented the town in land use and zoning litigation.