Duval & Stachenfeld forms New Land Use Practice

Duval & Stachenfeld LLP revealed the formation of a new Land Use Practice Group with the addition of leading land use attorney, Robin Kramer, as a partner in its New York office. Kramer was formerly part of the prestigious Kramer Levin New York land use practice. "We are very proud and pleased to have Robin Kramer join Duval & Stachenfeld," said Terri Adler, chair of the firm's real estate practice. "Robin is one of the top land use lawyers in New York City. Her arrival - coupled with our existing environmental practice - gives us a platform to create a leading land use practice in New York City. That is the goal. This is just a start. Our model here is to pick practice areas in which we can become a leader and grow those practices to the pinnacle. We have achieved that in real estate, and we are now going to attempt the same in the land use area." Bruce Stachenfeld, co-founder and managing partner of the firm, said, "Maybe this sounds presumptuous; however, it is only the middle of last year that I said "exactly" these words about our tax practice, which we started from scratch with vaunted tax lawyer Stephen Land. I said it wouldn't take that long to develop one of the cutting-edge real estate tax practices in New York City -- and now less than 18 months later this is well on its way. We now have three full-time tax lawyers -- numerous real estate tax clients -- and are making a name for ourselves in the real estate tax area." "Now here we come in land use. And this couldn't come at a better time; indeed, this is a time when New York is literally bursting with development opportunities, not to mention the (almost-achieved) Midtown East Rezoning Plan and a new Mayoral administration. We are strongly backing this practice and I couldn't think of anyone I would rather do this with than Robin. If you meet her for five minutes you know she is smart as a whip, knows her stuff cold, and is creative and aggressive in advocating for her clients." "I am greatly excited by the opportunity to start a new land use practice at Duval & Stachenfeld LLP," said Ms. Kramer. "I have wanted to do this for a long time. I had a wonderful experience at Kramer Levin and this is my chance to step up and step out. Duval & Stachenfeld has a cutting-edge real estate practice -- the largest in New York City -- and yet no land use practice. I love the reputation that Duval & Stachenfeld has for looking out for its clients, making connections for them, and helping them build their clients' businesses. This resonates with me as I have always felt it was exactly the way to practice law and I will be a great fit not only with the firm but with the firm's clients as well. I am energized by everyone's commitment here to care for the client and for each other. I can't wait to get going!" Kramer's land use practice focuses on advising clients about the development and uses of New York City properties; acquisitions of air rights from theaters, from High Line properties and from neighboring properties in connection with zoning lot mergers; taking projects through ULURP and obtaining discretionary and non-discretionary approvals, including special permits, certifications and amendments to the Zoning Resolution, from the New York City Planning Commission; and obtaining approvals from the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals. Prior to joining Duval & Stachenfeld LLP, Kramer had experience in both the public and private sector, including serving as Assistant Counsel to the New York City Planning Commission and most recently for 8 years in the land use department at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel. Robin's knowledge and skills in the land use area have led her to become an adjunct instructor at New York University Schack Institute of Real Estate, where she teaches land use and environmental regulation to graduate students.