According to National law firm Akerman LLP, consultant Richard Bass has joined the Real Estate Practice Group as senior planning & development consultant. Bass brings three decades of experience in land use and zoning issues for N.Y.C. and N.J. Bass has represented 26 properties impacted by Phase I of the 2nd Ave. Subway Project in Manhattan, by providing technical and political assistance and was involved with the No. 7 train expansion. He also serves as an expert witness for eminent domain compensation trials involved with Hudson Yards, Atlantic Yards and the Columbia University expansion. Bass has previously served as the planning director of the Manhattan Borough President's Office (Ruth Messinger), the City of Jersey City, and the City of Coral Gables and has extensive experience with various tax exemption programs, inclusionary housing regulations, transfer of development rights, landmarks issues and various tax exemption programs. Bass is a licensed professional planner and is an American Institute Certified Planner. He started his career in Jerusalem, planning new towns for the State of Israel.