On May, 19, 2009, LANDMARK WEST! held its first continuing legal education seminar entitled Legal Strategies for Landmarks: Defending Architecture, Neighborhoods and the Public Interest in the Development-Driven City. Thanks to assistance from Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP, this course was eligible for 2.0 CLE credits in professional practice and was attended by more than 80 lawyers, community activists and preservationists.

Experienced preservationists and attorneys described legal tools that can be used to effectively preserve historic buildings for future generations. Author Anthony C. Wood set the evening in context by providing an overview of New York’s historic preservation movement. Gabriel North Seymour, Esq. discussed the Constitutional Principles of Landmarks Law, and David Rosenberg, Esq. presented case studies with nuts-and-bolts strategies to assist lawyers, real estate professionals, civic organizations and private citizens who seek to challenge the actions and operations of government agencies. Whitney North Seymour, Jr., Esq. related how he has brought cases to bring the Landmarks Commission to account, replete with "stories from the bench" as he detailed how he has used Article 78 to challenge New York City administrative procedure. Kate Wood, LANDMARK WEST's own Executive Director, discussed strategies for fighting the good fight from the perspective of a not-for-profit--the ups and downs of the "David v. Goliath" struggle.

Fred Rich, Esq. at podium and our panel at Sullivan and Cromwell, LLP

Our panel speakers: standing, Left to Right, David Rosenberg, Esq., Gabriel North Seymour, Esq., Anthony C. Wood, MA.; Seated: Kate Wood, MA, Whitney North Seymour, Esq.

For Handouts and Speaker outlines, please click on the links below:
"Tips for Testifying"
Landmarks Preservation Law
Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
The Constitutional Underpinnings of Landmark Preservation, by Gabriel North Seymour, Esq.
Article 78
Legal Strategies, by David Rosenberg, Esq.
May 19, 2009 Program