Pryor Cashman LLP is pleased to announce that Neil Weisbard has joined the firm as Counsel and leader of the Zoning and Land Use practice. Based in the firm’s New York office, Weisbard joins Pryor Cashman from Slater & Beckerman, P.C., a boutique real estate firm.

Weisbard represents and advises developers, property owners and representatives, architects, expediters, restaurant operators and hotel operators in land use, zoning, securing construction permits, and administrative law matters. Clients particularly rely on Weisbard for his high-level and thorough analysis of a property’s potential. He is well-known in the tight-knit New York real estate community and enjoys solid working relationships with the various agencies that oversee real estate development in New York, including the New York City Planning Commission, the Department of Buildings, the Board of Standards and Appeals, the Environmental Control Board, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Department of Finance, the Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

“We are committed to comprehensive, end-to-end service and bringing Neil onboard is a strategic extension to the current resources in the Real Estate Group,” said Ronald H. Shechtman, Pryor Cashman’s managing partner. “Neil’s understanding of the complex web of regulations surrounding planning and zoning across the city along with his strong relationships at every major agency in New York are valuable assets to the firm and our clients navigating these challenges.”

Weisbard assists clients in obtaining New York City agency approvals, interpretations, resolutions, and determinations to their most vexing problems including facilitating development potential of a property, compliance with the Zoning Resolution, Building Code, and the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law (“MDL”). He also is instrumental in efficiently securing the right permits to commence and complete construction, occupy a property, or enlarge or alter landmark properties. When disputes arise, Weisbard diligently represents clients before the Environmental Control Board and in criminal court proceedings regarding Department of Buildings and FDNY violations. Some of his work includes representing a well-known restaurant chain before the Department of Consumer Affairs to secure sidewalk café licensees. Weisbard has also assisted in the rejuvenation of various neighborhoods across the City including securing permits, rezoning and variance approvals to permit residential properties in manufacturing districts.

“The New York City real estate market is among the most dynamic in the world. Pryor Cashman has built a solid reputation as a full-service law firm with a preeminent real estate practice and a cadre of high caliber attorneys,” said Weisbard. “I am proud to join such a prestigious group where I can continue to build my practice in a very collaborative way.”

Weisbard was a former member of the Land Use and Planning Committee of the New York City Bar Association and the chair of its Sustainability Subcommittee. He received his B.S., magna cum laude, from Ithaca College and his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, where he was the recipient of the Richardson Merit Scholarship, the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Land Use Controls, and Max M. Lome Memorial Prize for Urban Law.