Government Relations Lawyers
At Abrams Fensterman, we live at the intersection of government, politics and the law. Our attorneys have advised and represented clients dealing with government officials, entities and agencies at all levels of government. We have litigated for and against the government in hundreds of matters. And we have served as counsel to local governments throughout the New York metropolitan area. If you deal with the government, or you are the government, we’re the attorneys who can help you achieve your goals.
Government Relations and Strategy
Government relations requires an understanding of the responsibilities and challenges government officials face and the trust that comes from relationships built over decades. Our attorneys and government relations professionals bring both to the table for our clients.
Our attorneys have worked in the legislature, state agencies and local governments. Some have been elected officials. Some have served by appointment of the Governor or the Mayor as Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners and on IDA boards and the New York State Department of Health Public Health and Planning Council Appointees. And our attorneys have served as law chairs of County Political Parties, as well as campaign volunteers at all levels and all functions.
Government Litigation, Law, & Policy
Abrams Fensterman’s Government Litigation, Law & Policy practice includes experts that range from: Former elected officials, Former Chied of Staff to Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Commissioners and State Deputy Commissioners, IDA Board Members, General Counsel NYS Department of Financial Services and NYS DOH Public Health and Planning Council Appointees, to Party Law Chairs and campaign volunteers of all levels and functions. Subject matter expertise spans areas such as: Healthcare and the DOH, the Labor Department and the Joint Enforcement Task Force, TLC and Transportation, HRA, DHS, BSA, ECB, IDA’S, the NYS Attorney General, Department of Insurance, and City, County, and State Boards of Elections, to name a few of our most active.
Litigating for and against the government is different. There are specific rules and procedures that apply to government litigation. There are also public policy and political considerations involved in government litigation that are not present in ordinary civil litigation.
At Abrams Fensterman, our attorneys understand the complex nature of government litigation. They’ve been litigating for and against the government for many years. And that gives us an unparalleled ability to represent our governmental clients and our non-governmental clients successfully in this unique litigation world.
We have served as counsel to local governments throughout the New York metropolitan area. And that gives us an unparalleled ability to represent our governmental clients and our non-governmental clients successfully in this unique litigation world.
This means that we understand the workings of city, state and local regulatory agencies; we understand how legislation evolves and how its application can get mired in seemingly irrational process and results; and we know what it means to be a candidate trying to comply with campaign regulation. Even more importantly, we know how to handle each of these situations. We simply are bottom line and result driven.
Businesses come to us to navigate local, city, and state governments in New York, and the administrative agencies operating under their respective jurisdictions. Whether our clients require regulatory approvals, compliance services, investigation of corporate fiduciary obligations, or representation before a governmental body, our partners have the experience to guide them through it.
Professional Organizations rely on us to develop lasting strategies and facilitate partnerships with government and government agencies. These include products and services for their clients as well as making sure their perspectives and priorities are represented when the laws and rules affecting them evolve.
We have extensive experience in municipal litigation in state and federal courts and in arbitration, having represented our clients in many Article 78 proceedings with respect to land use and other matters, civil rights litigation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, labor disputes, contract claims, real estate controversies and other matters, on both the trial and appellate levels.
We work with our corporate clients to negotiate their positions and evaluate courses of action, including whether litigation is worth pursuing. If we determine an Article 78 or other legal remedy is appropriate and necessary to defend our client against arbitrary and capricious government activity, our team will see the litigation through from filing to resolution.
Government Representation
Governmental agencies, particularly at the local level, need legal advice every day from attorneys who have experience dealing with the challenges presented when exercising governmental authority. Local governments face not only the normal challenges any entity faces in doing business, but must also comply with the laws, rules and standards that apply uniquely to them.
At Abrams Fensterman, our attorneys are experienced in addressing all of those issues.
The scope of our practice ranges across all areas of local government and Education law. To the municipalities we serve as general counsel, we provide advice and counsel to the Board of Trustees and land use boards, preparing local laws, notices, resolutions and opinions, advising on compliance with SEQRA and other state and federal laws, drafting and reviewing contracts, reviewing insurance coverage. As labor counsel, we advise the decision makers, negotiate and draft contracts, and handle grievances, arbitrations, disciplinary proceedings and litigation. We have extensive experience in municipal litigation in state and federal courts and in arbitration, having represented our clients in many Article 78 proceedings with respect to land use and other matters, civil rights litigation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, labor disputes, contract claims, real estate controversies and other matters. Our current or former governmental clients include SUNY, The Comptroller of the City of New York, the Nassau County executive, the Westchester County Department of Health, the cities of White Plains and Long Beach and the Yonkers Board of Education.
Political Action Committee Management & Government Organization
We provide Political Action Committee Management and organization to clients of all eligible varieties.
Political Action Committees and candidates for political office rely on us to advise them on compliance with the complex laws affecting political contributions and spending, compliance with the Election Law, the rules and regulations of the New York City Campaign Finance Board and the requirements of local and state boards of elections. We have extensive knowledge of the NYC Campaign Finance Board and its workings.
One of our attorneys, David Imamura, authored the chapter on campaign finance law in the leading treatise on New York election law. We handle every New York State Election Law requirement from petition through litigation. We also handle more complex matters, such as independent and coordinated expenditures and ballot access strategies. Other services include registration, disclosure filing, contribution and expenditure limit and general monitoring, problem resolution, re-canvass proceedings, ballot evaluation, review and discovery of irregularities and possible judicial intervention.
Contact Our Law Firm
At Abrams Fensterman, we are professionals at providing the legal representation that local governments and the businesses and individuals who deal with them require.
For further information about our Government Relations, Litigation, Strategy and Representation Department, please contact our law firm on Long Island at 516-328-2300, in Brooklyn at 718-215-5300, White Plains at 914-607-7010, Rochester at 585-218-9999 or Albany at 518-535-9477 to schedule an initial consultation.
