Profile

Brody's practice includes matters involving environmental law, eminent domain, the taxation of real property, land use and municipal law.

His clients have included automobile manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, utilities, natural gas providers, mining companies, national retail chains, universities and developers. He also represents local businesses and municipalities.

Environmental Law
Brody has broad experience in many aspects of environmental law, including litigation, administrative proceedings and regulatory compliance. His experience includes matters involving environmental audits, due diligence, financial assurance and permitting. He regularly counsels clients on compliance issues related to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act.

Eminent Domain and Real Property Taxation
Brody has handled over two hundred separate eminent domain matters in connection with the construction of underground gas pipelines, overhead electric lines and telephone lines. He has also litigated the legality of taking property for the purpose of economic development and represented both petitioners and respondents at every stage of tax certiorari proceedings.

Land Use and Municipal Law
Brody has extensive experience appearing before town boards, planning boards and zoning boards across New York State, as well as the Environmental Control Board in New York City. He recently successfully challenged the constitutionality of a portion of the City of Oneonta's code and has also successfully defended the constitutionality of the Town of Niles’ code. Brody has obtained numerous special permits, variances, site plan approvals and subdivision approvals for a variety of industries. He is currently the town attorney for the Town of Niles and the Town of Skaneateles. Brody serves as special counsel to many municipalities for planning and environmental matters.

Representative cases:

  • Listed in:
    • New York Super Lawyers®, Environmental, 2024
      • Upstate New York Rising Star, Environmental, 2018
  • New York State Bar Association, Environmental and Energy Law Section
  • Onondaga County Bar Association
    • OCBA Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award, 2010
  • Air and Waste Management Association
  • New York State Wetlands Forum
  • Chancellor, Cornell Law School Moot Court Board

  • OCBA Volunteer Lawyer Project Pro Bono representation of tenants in Syracuse and East Syracuse Housing Courts
  • Syracuse City Court Small Claims Arbitration Program (Arbitrator)
  • Town Attorney for the Town of Niles
  • Former Board of Trustees Member, Syracuse Landmark Theatre
  • 2011 Syracuse 40 Under 40 Honoree