Today's businesses must deal with a complex and growing body of zoning and other regulations governing the use of land. The Land Use and Municipal Practice Group at Farrell Fritz represents zoning applicants, including major real estate developers, national retail chains and multi-national corporations, as well as municipalities, in all phases of residential, commercial and industrial development. Our land use and municipal attorneys also work closely with our real estate and corporate and banking departments to help our clients avoid, resolve or mitigate problems that can arise when purchasing, financing and developing real property. Land Use and Zoning Farrell Fritz represents a diverse array of land use applicants, from private homeowners to national retailers, in all aspects of the development approval process. Our land use and municipal attorneys regularly appear before municipal boards in various counties, towns and villages across Long Island in connection with applications for zone changes, subdivisions, variances, special permits, site plans and architectural review. Our familiarity with and knowledge of the various agencies that regulate the development process at the local government level allow us to work with them in an efficient manner. Municipal Representation Our firm has a long-standing tradition of government service, especially on the local, municipal level. Several of our attorneys serve or have served as elected officials, and provide our clients with invaluable perspective on the legal issues involved in managing a municipality or government agency. Farrell Fritz attorneys have variously served as general or special counsel for numerous towns and villages throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties - defending lawsuits, drafting legislation, and offering advice on labor, zoning, real estate, taxation and other municipal law matters. Land Use Litigation While Farrell Fritz endeavors to work with our clients to meet their goals without litigation, if necessary, our attorneys have a broad range of experience in litigating land use and zoning issues. Our attorneys litigate on behalf of both zoning applicants and local governments in federal, state and local courts, and before administrative tribunals. Our firm is the attorney-of-record in some of the state's leading land use cases and has played a prominent role in lawsuits which interpret the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).