Harris Beach Murtha

As Albany is the seat of leading New York state agencies and authorities that provide regulatory oversight and financial incentive programs to private and public entities, the Harris Beach Murtha Capital Region office in Albany offer extensive resources to enterprises and public sector organizations for ensuring compliance and advancing project development. Our attorneys and consultants, many of whom have had leadership positions in government agencies and the courts, provide insight into the regulatory and approval process necessary when doing business in New York state. One of our attorneys, the Hon. Victoria A. Graffeo, served a full 14-year term as a judge of the New York State Court of Appeals. She also served as a justice of the New York State Supreme Court and as an associate justice of the state’s Appellate Division. Judge Graffeo offers her insights on state issues as a former Solicitor General and Counsel to the New York State Attorney General. Another one of our attorneys, William M. Flynn, is a former chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission and former president of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Two of our attorneys were associated with the former New York State Ethics Commission, one of whom, Karl J. Sleight, served as the commission’s executive director. While serving in the New York state governor’s office as assistant counsel, one of our attorneys, Robert J. Ryan, drafted legislation with respect to public authorities’ reform and economic development initiatives. For organizations seeking advice on the state’s environmental laws and regulatory processes, an attorney in our Albany office, Gene Kelly, provides unique insights as a former regional director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. He can assist clients through the SEQRA process as well as regulations related to coastal and inland waterways and development near or on public land. Our municipal and educational attorneys represent local government and school districts throughout the Capital Region, the North Country, and the Hudson Valley. Our public finance attorneys represent several of the leading finance authorities such as the New York State Thruway Authority, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation as well as numerous regional economic development agencies and corporations. Our presence in the Capital Region extends to Saratoga Springs, where that office provides clients additional resources and a full-service platform.

As residents of this dynamic region, Harris Beach attorneys support a number of organizations and youth sports teams. We are particularly proud of our community-based sports programs and provide scholarships for disadvantaged youths to attend YMCA summer camp and YMCA family memberships. Our attorneys have served on numerous boards and committees for a variety of community and not-for-profit organizations. They are also leaders in their respective professional and legal associations, often serving as speakers and panelists in continuing education programs for other attorneys and business executives.