BUFFALO, NEW YORK — Lippes Mathias today announced that partners James P. Blenk and Ian A. Shavitz will speak at the 2023 County Attorneys’ Association of the State of New York annual meeting, which will be held from May 23-24 in Cooperstown. Their presentation, “Local Government Property Acquisition: In Rem Updates and Developing Solar Energy on Municipal Brownfield Sites,” will offer a unique blend of insight from Blenk and Shavitz’s respective practices focused on litigation and renewable energy law.

Blenk concentrates his practice on commercial litigation, including contract, construction, insurance, employment and property disputes, and governmental litigation, including civil rights litigation, Article 78 proceedings and property tax certiorari cases. He also advises condominium associations and owners. As part of Lippes Mathias’ Indian law practice team, Blenk represents tribal governments, with a particular focus on land and regulatory disputes with the United States and state governments.

Shavitz is the team leader of the firm’s environment and energy practice team, and has more than 20 years of experience counseling and advocating for clients on environmental and land use issues associated with developing large-scale infrastructure, energy, and commercial projects; securing federal, state and local government permits and approvals; advising sellers, purchasers, lenders, and investors on environmental issues associated with corporate, real estate and energy transactions; and advocating for favorable policy decisions and legislation before Congress. Shavitz’s clients have included corporations, municipalities, developers, investors, state and local governments, private equity funds, and Indian tribes. While his practice is national in scope, he has particular expertise advising clients on projects, transactions and legal issues in New York State, where he has practiced for his entire career, and on federal issues in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Lippes Mathias, Shavitz practiced law at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Washington, D.C., in the environmental and public law and policy practice groups.

About the County Attorneys’ Association of the State of New York

Since the creation of the role of the County Attorney by the State Legislature, each Office of the County Attorney has had to adapt to meet the changing demands of individual counties. To assist County Attorneys and to establish a resource for professional development, in 1953, County Attorneys gathered their resources to provide a united voice and a resource for the members.  In 1981,    County Attorneys agreed to formalize their collaboration through the creation of the County Attorneys’ Association of the State of New York (CAASNY).  Within the By-laws of the organization, CAASNY’s stated purposes include the following:  to promote more efficient county and city government; to cultivate the science of jurisprudence; to advance closer personal and professional relationships among county and New York City Corporation Counsel attorneys in the State of New York; to encourage and promote the exchange of information and views in respect to the conduct of the various county attorney’s offices throughout the State and the Corporation Counsel’s Office; to analyze proposed and enacted legislation and regulations at the State and Federal levels affecting counties within the State of New York and the City of New York, and to present legal ideas and opinions to State and Federal legislators, representatives and officials with respect to such legislation and regulations; and to serve the public of this State. Today, CAASNY proudly serves the interests of County Attorneys in all 62 counties of the State of New York as well the interests of the New York City Corporate Counsel.

Lippes Mathias is a full-service law firm with nearly 170 attorneys serving clients regionally, nationally, and internationally. With offices in Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, Long Island, New York, and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Greater Toronto Area; Chicago, Ill.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Cleveland, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Washington, D.C., the firm represents publicly and privately-owned companies, private equity and venture capital firms, real estate developers, financial institutions, municipalities, governmental entities, and individuals.