Tax Assessment, Condemnation & Property Valuation

In addition to understanding the methodologies used to determine the fair market value of real property, the condemnation-appropriation practice involves a review of the legality of the taking process and advice to condemning authorities, as well as to those whose property is being appropriated. Our attorneys are also experienced in negotiations among affected parties to resolve issues prior to litigation. Our clients include condemnors, as well as condemnees.

Business mergers, sales and acquisitions often involve the transfer of buildings, land and equipment. Our group is experienced in reviewing appraisals, conducting environmental due diligence and negotiating and drafting purchase and sale agreements.

The value of real property and businesses fluctuates with the economy. However, municipal assessors do not always have the time or the resources to keep up with these changes and in many cases must rely on generalities or formulaic approaches that can considerably diverge from actual values. This results in challenges to real property tax assessments in administrative and judicial forums. Our group has secured tax savings and/or tax rebates in the millions of dollars for private individuals, private corporations and public corporations.

Our firm also has represented municipalities and school districts with their real property taxation issues for many years. Group members have defended the municipal valuations of pipelines, utility properties, industrial complexes and commercial properties, and have worked not only with individual entities, but consortiums of municipal clients to save expenses and consolidate resources. We have done substantial work with not-for-profit clients and business clients to obtain charitable, educational, religious, business investment and environmental exemptions.

We have addressed valuation issues associated with all types of property including private residences, domed stadiums, private lakes and lodges, reservoirs, mining operations, supermarkets, commercial rental property and businesses, a wide variety of industrial and manufacturing facilities and utility properties. Our clients range from private individuals to several Fortune 500 companies.

We have also had substantial experience with PILOT agreements, Empire Zones and related property tax agreements.

In our practice, we have substantial contact with real estate appraisers and engineering valuation consultants. We have appeared in numerous proceedings that regularly require appearances before assessors, boards of assessment review, judicial hearing officers, New York Office of Real Property Services and the courts.