Underberg & Kessler LLP

Underberg & Kessler LLP

 

From the waterfalls of Letchworth Park to the water authorities of Western New York, Jim thinks globally and acts locally. As partner and chair of the firm’s Municipal Practice Group, he has actively advised and represented local and municipal governments and agencies for over 20 years. His experience is extensive in the areas of general municipal law, public finance, eminent domain, tax certiorari, legislative and administrative process, the planning and development of capital projects and improvement districts, as well as economic development, planning, zoning and litigation related to those areas.

As Bond Counsel for the City of Buffalo Municipal Water Finance Authority and numerous Western New York municipalities, he has been involved in the financing of all types of municipal capital projects as well as the refinancing of outstanding municipal debt. Jim has also acted as Underwriter’s Counsel for major investment banking firms in connection with the underwriting and public sale of large scale public debt offerings.

In the ten years he has served as Counsel to the Livingston County Industrial Development Agency, Jim has been involved in a wide variety of transactions including tax-exempt bond financings, sale leaseback PILOT transactions, real estate transactions, the acquisition and development of industrial parks, IDA corporate and organizational matters, as well as litigation.

He currently serves as General Counsel to the Towns of Geneseo, Mt. Morris, and Nunda and the Villages of Caledonia and Williamsville. He also serves as special counsel on various projects to a number of cities and towns throughout Western New York.

In addition to his municipal clients, Jim represents private sector developers and non-profit organizations in capital commercial and industrial development projects, and advises them on a variety of issues ranging from the financing of projects to their planning and final construction.

Jim is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and holds a B.S. in Economics from St. Bonaventure University. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Board of Directors of the NOYES Hospital Foundation. He is also a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, the New York Conference of Mayors, the New York State Association of Towns, the New York Government Finance Officers Association and the New York State Economic Development Council.  He is the current author of the Thomson-West Publishing Company’s treatise on Municipal Finance entitled Private Activity Bond Tests. 

Jim was selected a 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 Upstate New York Super Lawyer by Law & Politics. The Super Lawyer group represents the top 5% of attorneys in Upstate New York who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  He also was named to the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers in America®.

James A. Coniglio
Partner
Rochester, NY
Tel: 585-258-2856
Fax: 585-258-2821
jconiglio@underbergkessler.com
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Practice Area(s)
Banking
Corporate & Business
Environmental Law
Municipal
Education
Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., 1977
St. Bonaventure University, B.S., 1973