Attorneys

Paul Van Cott has over thirty years of New York State government experience as a land use and environmental attorney for the Adirondack Park Agency, Department of Environmental Conservation and Office of the Attorney General.  After retiring from public service, Paul joined the firm in 2019 and has primarily focused on obtaining land use approvals for large-scale and other commercial development projects, as well as representing local planning and zoning boards.  More recently, Paul, who is based in the Adirondack Park, has begun actively assisting clients with matters involving the Adirondack Park Agency, where he served as a managing attorney for over 15 years.  Paul offers strong analytical, strategic, and communication skills, and an unmatched commitment to achieving desired and timely outcomes for clients.  

For the Firm:

• Assisted multiple clients in obtaining SEQRA Negative Declarations and land use approvals for large-scale warehouses and distribution centers.
• Assisted nationally recognized restaurant and travel center clients in obtaining SEQRA Negative Declarations, land use approvals and variances. 
• Represented municipal planning boards in the zoning and environmental review and decision process for several major residential and commercial projects. 

For the Adirondack Park Agency:

• Provided permitting and enforcement advice and represented agency in negotiations, litigation, adjudicatory hearings, and other regulatory proceedings. 
• Reformed the agency’s enforcement program to be more effective and productive.
• Led staff in a multi-party adjudicatory hearing on the largest development project ever proposed in the Adirondack Park, negotiated a critical conservation easement with the applicant, and assisted in successfully defending agency approval of the project.

For the Department of Environmental Conservation:

• Represented agency in environmental quality and natural resource permitting and enforcement matters, including negotiations and adjudicatory hearings. 

Mr. Van Cott received his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School and was awarded a Bachelor of Science in International Relations from Stetson University.