Mark Sweeney is a partner with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP (formerly Shanley, Sweeney, Reilly & Allen, P.C.) since 1998. His principal areas of practice are CleanTech, Real Estate Development, Zoning and Land Use; Energy and Telecommunications; Environmental Law; and Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation Law. Mr. Sweeney has focused upon securing right to build approvals for a variety of owners and developers as well as litigating the approvals and underlying State Environmental Quality Review (“SEQRA”) determinations. Mr. Sweeney is experienced in the preparation and development of administrative records, including environmental impact statements and as well as drafting any associated litigation papers for such projects.

Mr. Sweeney has further experience in handling complex construction disputes and claims and related litigation. Prior to joining Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, Mr. Sweeney was an associate of Bouck Holloway Kiernan & Casey, P.C. concentrating on first and third party insurance litigation.

Representative Accomplishments

• Represented wind developers in the local and SEQRA approval processes for wind energy facilities throughout New York State, which will produce over 850 megawatts of wind energy as well as related Article 78 challenges to such approvals.
• Represents SBA Network Services, Inc., and other national tower developers as well as wireless carriers throughout New York State on a variety of matters, including right-to-build approvals for towers and related facilities and related litigation as well as lease negotiations with landowners and other carriers and real property issues.
• Represented owners on multimillion dollar public construction projects involving numerous construction disputes, claims and related state and federal litigation.
• Represented project sponsors in complex and controversial regional shopping centers and numerous other development projects Involving local approvals as well as related federal permitting and consultation for issues in historic resources, wetlands, and waterbodies.
• Represented several owners of construction projects in contract drafting and handling of disputes in litigation and arbitration.
• Represented wireless service providers and landowners in negotiating agreements for wireless telecommunications facilities for new construction and in-building facilities.

Affiliations

Mr. Sweeney is a member of the New York State Bar Association – Environmental Law Section, American Bar Association, and Albany Bar Association and is admitted to practice in the State of New York and in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

Background

Mr. Sweeney earned a Juris Doctor degree from Union University Albany Law School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the College of Holy Cross where he was a member of the varsity golf team. Mr. Sweeney serves on the Board of Directors for the Bethlehem Soccer Club, a local youth soccer organization serving nearly 2000 children each year.