Overview
Attorneys
Representative Matters
Real Property and Development includes:
- Site Acquisition and Assessment
- Obtaining Approvals and Permits for Development
- Planned Development Districts
- Defense of Article 78 and Legal Actions Challenging Development Projects
- Preparation and Approval of Offering Plans and Homeowner Association Documents
- Construction Litigation and Claims Resolution
- Negotiation and Preparation of Leases and Sales Related Documents
- Residential and Commercial Closings
Overview
Young/Sommer LLC has represented hundreds of clients in real property transactions ranging from multi-million dollar commercial transactions to residential house closings. The firm has extensive experience negotiating and preparing agreements for a broad variety of commercial and residential real estate transactions involving improved and unimproved properties, including purchases, sales, leases, options, rights of first refusal, easements, conservation easements, declarations of restrictive covenants, and construction contracts. We have represented borrowers in a variety of financing transactions, including loans, construction loans, land development loans and refinancings. We have represented landlords and tenants in the drafting and negotiation of commercial and residential real estate leases.
Young/Sommer’s commercial real estate practice includes all phases of real estate development, from site acquisition to construction. The firm’s partners have decades of experience representing developers. Recent projects include:
- Development of the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, New York, which is the largest hotel/condominium project built within the Adirondack Park in decades
- Development of mixed use shopping center/office complex in Lake Placid, New York
- Redevelopment of industrial properties and “brown fields” in Schenectady, New York
- Development of a time-share hotel complex in Hunter, New York
- Development of wind energy projects throughout upstate New York
- Approvals for planned development district in Saratoga County, New York
The firm’s Real Property and Development group includes J. Michael Naughton, Dean Sommer, Kevin Young, David Brennan and Robert Panasci.
The following Young/Sommer attorneys represent clients in this practice area.
David C. Brennan
David C. Brennan graduated cum laude from Albany Law School with a concentration in environmental law and holds a bachelor of science in environmental engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Robert A. Panasci
Robert A. Panasci is a partner with Young/Sommer LLC and has been practicing real property law, municipal law, environmental law and special education law since 2002. His legal practice includes representation of corporate and individual clients in all aspects of real estate matters.
J. Michael Naughton
J. Michael Naughton is a partner in the firm, and has practiced as a litigator for over 25 years. He began his career in New York City and moved to Albany in 1987. Mr. Naughton was a partner at the law firm of Shanley, Sweeney Reilly & Allen, P.C. before joining Young/Sommer LLC in 2005.
Dean S. Sommer
Dean S. Sommer (Partner) concentrates on the litigation and/or negotiation of environmental and toxic tort matters addressing the release of hazardous substances, hazardous waste, petroleum and solid waste into the environment. Chambers USA, in its 2004 Guide, stated that Mr. Sommer is “a noted litigator” whose “expertise is on show in Superfund, RCRA and CWA issues.”
Kevin M. Young
Kevin M. Young has been practicing environmental law for over 28 years. Mr. Young assists clients in achieving their business and municipal objectives while complying with environmental and land use regulations. He also serves as counsel to over 20 municipalities, numerous manufacturing facilities and developers.
Joseph F. Castiglione
Joseph F. Castiglione primarily practices in the areas of commercial, contract, municipal, land-use, administrative and environmental law, with his practice primarily dedicated to litigation in State and Federal courts.
Allyson M. Phillips
Allyson M. Phillips received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Fordham University and is a 2006 graduate of Albany Law School. While at Albany Law, Allyson served as Associate Editor for the Albany Law Journal of Science and Technology and was a research assistant for the Dean of the Albany Law School Government Law Center, Patricia E. Salkin.
Macris v. Matta, Putnam County Supreme Court Index No. 1354-2011
The firm represented Defendant homeowners, in an action commenced by their downstream neighbors for property damages stemming from the alleged flooding of their property, blaming… Read More

