In addition to Joe’s wide-ranging corporate and real estate practice, he is one of the region’s most active counselors in connection with industrial development agency revenue bond financings, including “straight lease” transactions. Joe has previously served as an agency chair, and now represents borrowers, underwriters and issuers in transactions throughout the New York metropolitan area, as well as in a number of states throughout the country.
Education
- Fordham University School of Law, J.D.; 1967
- Georgetown University, B.A. in Economics; 1964
Admissions/Courts
- New York
Awards + Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America® 2018-2025
- Mercy College Community Leadership Award; 2018
- “Above the Bar Award” for “Most Socially Conscious Attorney”; 2017
- AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- The Andrus Children’s Center, Corporate Volunteer of the Year; 2007
- Rye Rotary Club Community Service Award Recipient; 1995
- Recipient of the 1985 Golden “R” Award from the Renaissance Project, Inc. (drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation program)
- Rye YMCA Man of the Year; 1985
- Mercy College Business and Community Leadership Award; 2012
- Who’s Who in the World
- Who’s Who in America
- Who’s Who in American Law
- Who’s Who in the East
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Westchester County Bar Association
Presentations + Publications
“Project Financing Aid for Manufacturers Doubled to $20 Million”
Manufacturing.net, January 15, 2007
“The Secret to Financing Your Capital Project”
Nonprofit World, May/June 2007
“Using the Overlooked Secret of Low-Cost Capital Financing”
Banker & Tradesman, July 31, 2006
“Tax-Exempt Bonds Overlooked as Construction Financing Tool”
The Commercial Record, August 20, 2004
“Tax-Exempt Bonds: The Secret to Low-Cost Financing”
School Business Affairs, December 2003
www.asbointl.org
- Acquisition of New York City manufacturer of nationally distributed products; subsequent purchase of the business premises; acquisition of neighboring commercial parcels; negotiating and closing long-term tax-exempt 30 year bond financing and governmental incentives; and acquisition of additional companies that manufacture related products
- $30 million tax-exempt bond financing for a non-profit foundation created by and bearing the name of an international sports figure, the proceeds of which were used to construct a Learning Center in California
- Representing an individual in the negotiation and revision of limited liability company documents and related documents to enable the former commercial banker to become a principal member in an almost $30 billion hedge fund specializing in distressed debt and special situations
- Representing various medical practitioners and groups in the formation of their business entity, negotiation of their business lease, employment agreements, consulting agreements, business agreements with hospitals and other health organizations
- Representing a regional non-profit health organization in negotiating and documenting a payment in lieu of tax agreement to avoid property taxes on a new entity formed to close a New Markets Tax Credit financing which we closed concurrently
- Representing colleges, private primary and secondary schools including those who are developmentally and physically disabled and those with learning disabilities, social service agencies, arts councils, cultural institutions, manufacturers, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and a fire company on the closing of long-term tax-exempt bond financing the proceeds of which were used to construct college buildings and teaching space, sports field houses including fitness centers, gymnasiums and ice rinks, education and performance space for performing students and athletes, restoration of Westchester County’s oldest movie theater and related visual literacy education space, manufacturing space and equipment, and a new firehouse among other types of facilities
- Representing the developer of a upscale residential development on environmentally sensitive property resulting in a lot yield higher than expected and project sales that exceeded initial economic expectations by incorporating environmental preservation and enhancement into the review process and marketing the project
- Representing an international publisher of academic books in the acquisition of a 500,000 SF warehouse and distribution center; subsequent modification of certain zoning limitations
- Representing a family owned company in the zoning approvals to construct a new retail center to replace an aged and outdated retail store; closing an $80 million financing for same; obtaining governmental incentives for the project and subsequently preserving those incentives for the continuing benefit of a new purchaser of the retail center
- Representing an international manufacturer of scents used in the perfume industry in its acquisition of US companies and assets
- Representing a national food brokerage in its formation, general corporate matters over many years and the sale of the company by the founder to key employees
- Representing second generation family members in an unfriendly acquisition from their father and the subsequent sale years later to third generation members; continuing to serve as outside general counsel to the new owners; negotiating and closing the acquisition of similar companies and assets over many years to enhance company growth
- Representing private membership golf, yacht and country clubs with financing, land use/zoning and litigation matters
- Representing a New York State entity with regard to the sale of a parcel of land reclaimed from the Hudson River to be developed by a private developer with a “green” building
- Representing a multi-state railroad company in documenting easements, rights of way and related issues to permit the development of railroad property by a private developer
- Representing the purchaser of a former IBM mainframe manufacturing and testing site containing 2.5 million square feet in 19 buildings and a power plant at such time as the property was subject to a Department of Environmental Conservation cleanup project to require 100 years to complete
- Representing a veterinary doctor in the acquisition of an equity interest in a veterinary practice including the lease of the practice office/animal hospital owned by the practice founder, closing the acquisition loan and the subsequent retirement of the founder
- Representing investment banks as underwriter’s counsel in various financing transactions including participating in discussions with borrowers about structuring, credit enhancement, unrated (non-credit enhanced) issues, swapping rates (floating to fixed and vice versa), market conditions, timing, costs and the like and to ultimately prepare disclosure documents
- Representing the investment group of an international company to analyze disclosed risk and undisclosed risk emanating from case law relating to a contemplated investment in bond issued by an international airline, particularly court interpretation of financing leases and foreclosure issues
Case Studies
Community Service
- The Mill-Land Conservation Trust, Trustee; 2003-2008
- Mercy College, Board of Trustees, 2002-present; Vice Chair, 2006-present
- First American Title Insurance Company, Hudson Valley Advisory Board; 2002-2007
- Jacob Burns Film Center, Inc., Board of Directors; 1999-2012; 2013-present
- The Hundred Club of Westchester, Inc., Board of Directors; 1995-present
- Westchester Community College Foundation, Director; 1997-present
- Pace University School of Law, Board of Visitors; 1990-2012
- Student Assistance Services (non-profit, school-based substance abuse counseling agency), Board of Directors; 1989-1994; Advisory Board, 1994-present
- Rye YMCA, Director, 1979 to 1985; President, 1982-1985; Trustee, 1985-2006
- Westchester Arts Council, Board of Trustees; 2000-2004
- Westchester Business Partnership, Director; 1995-1996
- Westchester Partnership for Economic Development (successor to Westchester Business Partnership), Director; 1996-2000
- March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, Westchester Division, Board of Directors; 1994-1996
- Cardinal’s Committee for the Laity, Westchester Division, 1991-1999; Vice Chairman, 1992-1993; Chairman, 1993 and 1994
- Rye Historical Society, Trustee, 1979-1983 and 1990-1996; Secretary, 1980-81; Vice President, 1982-83 and 1992-1994; President, 1994-1996
- SUNY/Westchester Community College Paralegal Curriculum Advisory Committee; 1994
- Volunteer Center of United Way of Westchester County, Board of Directors; 1991-1997
Extracurricular
- He has two daughters and resides in Connecticut.
- In his spare time, Joe enjoys being with his family, cooking, reading and playing golf.
- He is also currently studying Italian, a wish that was formed several years ago when he took his first of four consecutive trips to Italy and found relatives he didn’t know he had and formed and number of friendships that continue to today.