Michael D. Zarin

Michael has been a staple in real estate development and litigation throughout the Hudson Valley and in New York City for more than three decades, advising his clients on all aspects of land use and environmental law. His innovative and collaborative approach to many of the most challenging land use development and real estate matters has made him a well respected leader in the field, and sought after in bringing these matters to successful resolutions.

Michael co-founded Zarin & Steinmetz in 1997, and has overseen the firm’s rise as a recognized leader in the region. Michael’s practice encompasses land use/zoning, complex real estate transactions and financing, environmental law, site remediation, public-private partnerships, SEQRA/NEPA, urban renewal, administrative law, eminent domain, due diligence, and environmental and general litigation. He has helped private and municipal clients achieve their goals for transformational projects that have breathed new life into downtowns, waterfronts, and brownfield sites throughout the state. Michael specializes in developing pro-active and creative financing models, which take advantage of the latest tools in pursuing successful public-private development projects. Michael has also represented clients in numerous federal, state and administrative proceedings through-out the nation, as well as intensive arbitration and mediation proceedings.

Michael is also frequently retained by municipalities as Special Land Use and Environmental Counsel on large, complex development projects. His municipal work also includes serving as an eminent domain expert, including as an expert witness for the New York City Law Department in connection with its comprehensive blue-belt condemnation program on Staten Island.

Michael taught a “Land Use Regulation” seminar at Hofstra Law School. He has lectured at the New York University Real Estate Institute, and at the Pace University School of Law Environmental Master’s Program. He is a former member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Environmental Section, and Co-Chair of the Land Use Committee. He also assisted the Chief Administrative Judge for the Ninth Judicial District in the formation of a Special Environmental Claims Part for the District.

• BA, University of Wisconsin at Madison
• JD, Hofstra University School of Law

• Sustainable Development Law Survey LAW 633

• Professional of Year, Westchester Business Journal, 2021
• New York Metro SuperLawyers®, Land Use & Zoning, since 2013

• “Vested Rights: A “Win-Win” for Municipalities and Redevelopers in Long-Term, Public-Private Redevelopment Projects,” Environmental Law in New York, Vol. 24, No. 5, May 2013
• “Ethical Problems in Everyday Environmental and Municipal Practice,” The Municipal Lawyer, Vol. 25 (Fall 2011), (with Daniel M. Richmond & Jeremy E. Kozin).
• “Vested Rights and Public-Private Redevelopment Projects,” New York Zoning Law and Practice Report, September/October 2009.
• “The ‘Public Purpose’ Test Becomes Reality in New York: What Does This Mean For Public-Private Economic Development Partnerships in New York?”, Spring 2009.