Municipal Law

Bowitch & Coffey provides counsel to municipalities on compliance with General Municipal Law, Public Officers Law and other laws. The firm advises municipalities on contaminated tax-delinquent properties; has represented municipalities in defense of third party claims; and has prosecuted subrogation claims for municipal clients.

Bowitch & Coffey provides counsel to municipalities on compliance with General Municipal Law, Public Officers Law and other state statutes. The firm advises municipalities on addressing contaminated tax-delinquent properties; and has represented municipalities in defense of third party personal injury and property damage claims; and has prosecuted subrogation actions involving payments made by insurance carriers to municipal insureds.

Daniel Coffey has provided counsel to many cities, towns and villages including the Town of Bethlehem. He has helped consolidate water districts, has assisted with easements, has provided counsel regarding land use issues and potential claims against the Town. He has negotiated water sale agreements and cell tower lease/license agreements. Dan serves as Chairman of the Town of Bethlehem Zoning Board of Appeals and previously served on the Town’s Planning Board, and the Town’s Comprehensive Plan Assessment Committee. He has acted as local counsel to New York City Mayor Bloomberg’s office on a variety of lawsuits.  He won an appeal for the Village of Northville, New York dismissing an environmental claim against the Village regarding use of a landfill.  Mr. Coffey is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Municipal Law Division.

Gary Bowitch has acted as special environmental counsel to several municipal governments.  He currently works with several counties assisting them in handling environmental issues, including tax delinquent contaminated properties.  He formerly acted as Deputy Corporation Counsel to the City of Rensselaer, New York, serving as counsel to the City Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.  Mr. Bowitch is a member of the New York State Bar Association's Municipal Law Division.

• Cleanup and Redevelopment of Tax-Delinquent Brownfields
• Land Use and Zoning
• Municipal Defense