Joshua Brookstein, a Partner with the Firm, will receive the 40 Under 40 award from Long Island Business News at a special ceremony on February 6, 2020 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. The 40 Under 40 Awards celebrate future leaders of Long Island who have already begun to distinguish themselves in business, government, education and the not-for-profit sector. They also have a proven track record of career success, and are involved with mentoring and promoting their profession while giving back to their local communities.
Click here to read Joshua Brookstei's bio
On Thursday, November 21, 2019, Elaine Colavito was awarded the Long Island Business News Leadership in Law Award in the Partner category. Ms. Colavito received this award due to her dedication both in the legal profession and in the community. Learn more about Ms. Colavito's biography here.
SWC is very pleased to announce the promotion of Joshua D. Brookstein to Partner.
Josh concentrates his practice in zoning and land use planning, municipal law, real estate law and transactions, and litigation and appeals.
Josh’s responsibilities include representing the Firm’s municipal and private-sector clients as well as not-for-profit institutions in a wide range of cases. Recently, Josh guided the recording of the first commercial subleasehold condominium subdivision map in Nassau County for a not-for-profit healthcare institution. Josh has also worked on the Firm’s team that secured approvals for medevac helicopters to land at Cohen Children's Medical Center in Lake Success.
Josh has received various awards and recognitions for his professional accomplishments. He was selected by Super Lawyers to the Metro New York Rising Star List in 2017, 2018, and 2019. He was also a recipient of the Long Island Business News Leadership in Law Award in 2018, in the law firm Associate category.
Outside his regular office responsibilities, Josh serves the legal profession and his community in many ways. He received the Pro Bono/Public Service Attorney of the Year Award from Touro Law Center in 2018 for his dedication to pro-bono work.
For the past five years, Josh has been involved in the New York State High School Mock Trial Tournament — his first year as a judge, and the last four as attorney advisor to a mock trial team. In addition to serving as a mock trial coach, he also serves as a mentor to middle school students through the Nassau County Bar Association. During the regular school year, Josh mentors students twice each month at public schools in Nassau County.
Josh is a Board member of Teach for America – New York Associate Board where he supports Teach For America’s mission to eliminate the achievement gap in education. He also serves on the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center’s Nassau County Family Court Children’s Center Advisory Council.
Josh is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the New York City Bar Association, and the Nassau County Bar Association, where he serves as Chair of the Association’s Community Relations and Public Education Committee. The Community Relations and Public Education Committee is charged with organizing timely and relevant public seminars to the residents of Nassau County.
Josh graduated cum laude from Muhlenberg College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Political Management. He later earned a Masters degrees from Fordham University and Bank Street College of Education. He graduated from New York Law School, where he was the Student Commencement Speaker and an Arthur Abbey Public Service Fellow.
“We are extremely proud that Josh is now a Partner of the Firm,” said Michael Sahn, the Firm’s Managing Member. “Josh is an exceptionally accomplished and dedicated lawyer. He is a vital part of our practice, and he has earned the respect and confidence of our clients and his colleagues at the Firm. We greatly respect Josh’s commitment to community service and pro-bono work. Josh is a role model for all of us in his engagement with our clients and his community.”
“I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues, and to serving the Firm’s clients in this new capacity,” Josh said. “I cannot thank enough, the Firm’s members and the rest of the SWC team, for this incredible opportunity.”
Prior to joining the Firm, Josh worked at the New York City Law Department, in its Family Court Division, and was a member of the Special Victims Unit where he handled felony and misdemeanor cases through trial.
Chris J. Coschignano has been appointed to the Nassau County Bar Association (NCBA) Board of Directors. He also presently serves as Co-Chair of the Municipal Law Committee with fellow SWC Partner John Farrell.
Mr. Coschignano has been a practicing attorney since 1990. He concentrates his practice in the areas of zoning and land use planning, real estate law and transactions, municipal and legislative law, economic development and industrial development agency law, advanced litigation in state and federal courts, and matrimonial and family law. He has handled some of the most complex zoning and land use planning projects on Long Island, and he and his projects have been recognized by multiple organizations for smart growth and proper planning objectives. Additionally, he is well-versed in municipal benefits and industrial development agency (IDA) law, thus allowing his clients the additional means of government economic development support, as well as the ability to create public-private partnerships. Mr. Coschignano has also handled every aspect of commercial and residential real property contracts, as well as some of largest and most complex transactions on Long Island.
Mr. Coschignano served as a Councilman with the Town of Oyster Bay, from his election in 2001 until 2017. Prior to that, he was appointed in 1995 to serve as Counsel to the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Oyster Bay to oversee the operations and exclusively handle all municipal litigation involving the agency. Mr. Coschignano also presently serves as Counsel to the Republican Commissioner at the Nassau County Board of Elections. In all, Mr. Coschignano has served for over 25 years in various municipal capacities, and this experience and wealth of knowledge complements his practice areas.
Mr. Coschignano is involved in many charitable and non-profit organizations. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the Touro Law Center, where in 2016, he established the Chris J. Coschignano/Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC Scholarship, given annually to a second-year law student who is interested in practicing in the area of land use and real estate law. In 2019, he was selected as the Honoree of the Touro Law Center's Annual Golf Classic, along with the Firm. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Boys & Girls Club, as well as an Honorary Director of the Syosset Chamber of Commerce and the North Shore Boys and Girls Club.
Mr. Coschignano is a member of the American, New York State and Nassau County Bar Associations and the Nassau Lawyers' and the Columbian Lawyers' Associations. Mr. Coschignano was admitted to practice law in the State of New York and the State of Connecticut in 1990. He received his undergraduate degree from St. John's University (B.S., 1985), and his law degree from Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro College (J.D., 1990).
Dan Braff served as a member of the Planning Committee for the Cohen Children's Circle Golf Classic, which took place on Monday, August 5 at Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success and Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset. Mr. Braff is an active member of Cohen Children's Circle, which supports and raises funds for the Child Life Program at Cohen Children's Medical Center.
Once Again Serves as Co-Chair of the Tennis Committee for CMF's Annual Golf and Tennis Classic
Adam H. Koblenz, a Member and Partner with the Firm, was recently named to the Children's Medical Fund of New York's Board of Trustees (CMF). Mr. Koblenz has been actively involved with CMF for over a decade.
Two years ago, he and his wife, along with CMF's Board of Trustees and Men's Division, were instrumental in the opening of the Children's Medical Fund Center for Diagnostic Studies, a state-of-the-art MRI and diagnostic wing located on the fourth floor of the Cohen Children's Medical Center.
In addition, Mr. Koblenz once again served as Co-Chair of the Tennis Committee for CMF's 44th Annual Golf & Tennis Classic, which took place on June 17, 2019 at the Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury.
The Children's Medical Fund of New York is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York. Through a wide network of friends, volunteers and deeply committed donors, CMF has raised over $87 million to help build, equip and secure ongoing funding for programs that are vital to the needs of seriously ill children and their families.
Elaine M. Colavito, a Partner with the Firm, was recognized as the outgoing Chair of the Nassau County Women's Bar Association (NCWBA) during the organization's Annual Installation Dinner, which was held on June 17 at Westbury Manor. In addition, she was recently installed as a delegate to the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY).
Ms. Colavito has been a longtime member of the NCWBA. She was the organization's President from 2018 to 2019, and served as President-Elect from 2017 to 2018. From 2015 to 2017, she was a Vice President and, prior to that, she served a two-year term as treasurer. In 2013, she received the NCWBA's Bessie Ray Geffner, Esq. Memorial Award for her demonstrated interest in improving the justice system, professionalism of the Bar and service to the community at large.
The mission of the NCWBA is to promote the advancement of the status of women in society and the legal profession; to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to all women, and to female attorneys in particular.
Firm Partner Elaine M. Colavito (right) was recognized as outgoing President of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association (NCWBA) and installed as a delegate to the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY). She is joined by Andrea Brodie (left), president-elect of the NCWBA, and Irene C. Angelakis (center), incoming NCWBA president.
Chris J. Coschignano and John Farrell were appointed Co-Chairs of the Nassau County Bar Association’s (NCBA) Municipal Law Committee. Both attorneys practice municipal law and legislative practice, and have experience in local government. Mr. Coschignano served in Oyster Bay Town government for more than 25 years before stepping down in 2017. Mr. Farrell was an Assistant Town Attorney for the Town of Babylon and is currently serving as Counsel for the Village of Plandome Manor.
Chris Browne is slated to speak at the NCBA’s Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Lunch program, which is scheduled for May 20.
Joshua D. Brookstein has been named Chair of the NCBA’s Community Relations & Public Education Committee. Mr. Brookstein has been involved in the Bar Association as a Mentor for local school children through the NCBA and Mock Trial Team Coach for The Crescent School in Hempstead.
The Firm will be one of the sponsors of the Bar Association’s 120th Annual Dinner Dance, which will take place on May 11 at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. This year’s honoree will be Steven Gassman, Past President, NCBA.
Hofstra Law Recognizes Elaine M. Colavito for Commitment to Women in the Law at its 2019 Outstanding Women in the Law ReceptionElaine M. Colavito, a Partner with the Firm, was recognized by Hofstra Law for Commitment to Women in the Law at its 2019 Outstanding Women in the Law reception, which took place on April 22 at RXR Plaza in Uniondale.
The Outstanding Women in the Law Dinner recognizes women who have made meaningful and inspiring contributions to the legal community.
Ms. Colavito concentrates her practice in matrimonial and family law, trusts and estates, civil litigation and immigration matters. She is President of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association and is a member of the Suffolk County Bar Association and the Nassau County Bar Association. In addition, she writes a monthly “Bench Briefs” column for Suffolk Lawyer, a publication for the Suffolk County Bar Association.
Click to read about Ms. Colavito from the program.
Elaine M. Colavito (right), a Partner with the Firm, was recognized for Commitment to Women in Law at Hofstra Law’s 2019 Outstanding Women in the Law reception, which was held on April 22 at RXR Plaza in Uniondale. She is also joined by Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York President Greta Kolcon (left) and Nassau County Assistant District Attorney and Second Appellate Division Bureau Chief Tammy J. Smiley (center).
Chris J. Coschignano and the Firm to be Honored at Touro Law Center’s 15th Annual Golf ClassicWe are proud to announce that Chris J. Coschignano, and the Firm of Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC, will be honored at the Touro Law Center’s 15 th Annual Golf Classic, which will take place on Monday, June 24 at The Village Club at Lake Success.
Mr. Coschignano is a 1990 graduate of Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. In 2015, he was named Touro Law Center’s Alumni of the Month, as well as being the recipient of the Keith Romaine Elected Official of the Year Award for his passion in government, in which he served the Town of Oyster Bay in various capacities for 25 years. He has also joined with the Firm in establishing the Chris J. Coschignano/Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to a second-year law student who is interested in practicing in the area of land use or real estate law.
In addition, Mr. Coschignano will serve as a member of the Golf Committee, as well as Michael H. Sahn, the Firm’s Managing Member, and John Farrell, a 2000 graduate of Touro Law Center and one of the Firm’s Partners.
Miriam E. Villani Serves as Editor-in-Chief of NYSBA's The New York Environmental LawyerMiriam E. Villani, a Partner with the Firm, serves as Editor-in-Chief of The New York Environmental Lawyer, a publication of the New York State Bar Association's Environmental Law Section, which recently published its Fall/Winter 2018 issue. In Ms. Villani's introductory message, she shared with the members what can be done to defend against the effects of climate change.
Kyle Lawrence Named Partner at Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLCKyle Lawrence, who joined the Firm as Counsel in March 2018, has been promoted to Partner. Mr. Lawrence concentrates his practice in corporate and securities law, as well as real estate law and transactions.
Since joining the Firm, Mr. Lawrence has led the Firm's growing Corporate and Securities Practice by serving as the Firm's lead counsel on all types of corporate transactions, including asset and equity dispositions, private placements, mergers, business acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate finance, planning and strategies, licensing, manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements, as well as serving in a general outside advisory role to various businesses. With emerging and early-growth-stage companies among the Firm's clientele, Mr. Lawrence has been able to expand the Firm's scope of services to provide advice and guidance on all aspects of day-to-day corporate and business matters.
"We are extremely proud to have Kyle join our prestigious list of Partners at the Firm," said Michael Sahn, the Firm's Managing Member. "Kyle is an exceptionally talented and dedicated lawyer. He is a vital part of our practice, and he has earned the respect and confidence of our clients."
"I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and serving the Firm's clients in this new capacity," Mr. Lawrence said. "I can't thank Michael, and the rest of the SWC team, enough for this incredible opportunity."