SEQRA 50th Anniversary Conference 

November 6-7, 2025
Albany Law School
80 New Scotland Ave. Albany, NY 12208

Fees
Students - Free
Government Employees, NGOs, Academics, Retirees - $25 (non-CLE)
Attorneys in Private Practice and Consultants - $100 (non-CLE)
Attorneys for CLE Credit - $400 (10 CLE Credits Available)
 

Registration

Albany Law School will host the SEQRA 50th Anniversary Conference on November 6 and 7, 2025. This conference marks half a century since the enactment of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), a landmark piece of legislation that has profoundly impacted land use and environmental protection across the state. Speakers at this conference will reflect on SEQRA's historical influence and envision its future directions, bringing together experts, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss environmental challenges and a changing regulatory landscape. 

Schedule 

Thursday, November 6

7:30 - 9:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast

8:15 a.m. - Registration

9:00 - 9:30 a.m. - Opening Session and Welcoming Remarks
 - Cinnamon Carlarne, President and Dean, Albany Law School
 - Keith Hirokawa, Esq., Distinguished Professor of Law, Albany Law School
 - Michael Gerrard, Esq., Professor of Law and founder and faculty director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School and co-author of Environmental Impact Review in New York
 - Anthony Luisi, Esq., Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel, DEC, on behalf of Amanda Lefton, Commissioner, DEC

9:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Session 1: Purpose of SEQRA and its Impact on Decision-making Processes
 

Moderator: Professor Michael Gerrard 
Speakers:
 - Alexander B. "Pete" Grannis, First Deputy NYS Comptroller; former DEC Commissioner, former Chairman of the Assembly En Con Committee and co-sponsor of the SEQRA legislation in 1975
 - Susan Amron, former General Counsel, New York City Department of City Planning
 - Thomas Berkman, Hodgson Russ; former DEC General Counsel
 - Deirdre Courtney-Batson, Chairwoman, Town of Bedford Planning Board, Adjunct Professor, Pace Law School

11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. - Session 2: Impact of SEQRA on the Environment
 

Moderator: Professor Keith Hirokawa
Speakers:
 - Peter Feroe, AICP, Vice President, Planning and Land Development, AKRF
 - Daniel B. Markind, Esq., Flaster Greenberg, PC
 - Charles Gottlieb, Esq., Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, LLP
 - Nan Stolzenburg, FAICP, Community Planning & Environmental Associates, Adjunct Professor of Planning, University at Albany 

12:45 - 1:45 p.m. - Lunch 

1:45 - 3:15 p.m. - Session 3: Scope of SEQRA Analysis

Moderator: Daniel Ruzow, Esq., Partner, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna and co-author of Environmental Impact Review in New York
Speakers: 
 - Nancy Doon, AICP, VHB
 - Thomas Devaney, Municipal Art Society
 - Sarah Yackel, AICP, BFJ Planning

3:30 - 4:45 p.m. - Session 4: Environmental Review Laws in Flux

Moderator: Hilary Semel, Esq. Director and General Counsel, NYC Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination
Speakers: 
 - Mark Chertok, Esq., Principal, Sive Paget & Riesel
 - Eric Biber, Edward C. Halbach Jr. Professor of Law, University of California at Berkeley Law School (by video)
 - State Senator Rachel May, Chair of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee and Legislative Commission on Rural Resources 
 - Katrina Fischer Kuh, Faculty Director of the Environmental Law Program, Haub Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law Pace Law School
-Lawrence H. Weintraub, Esq., DEC Permitting and SEQRA Counsel
- Antonia Pereira, Esq., Regional Director, DEC Region 2

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. - Reception

Friday, November 7

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 10:30 a.m. - Session 5: Review of SEQRA Litigation over the Years

Moderator: Daniel M. Richmond, Esq., Zarin & Steinmetz, LLP
Speakers: 
 - John C. Armentano, Esq., Partner, Farrell Fritz
 - Todd D. Ommen, Esq., Executive Director of John Jay Legal Services and Managing Attorney for the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic 
 - Elizabeth Knauer, Esq., Principal, Sive Paget & Riesel

10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Session 6: Environmental Justice and Cumulative Impacts; Public Participation

Moderator: Lawrence H. Weintraub, Esq., DEC Permitting and SEQRA Counsel
Speakers: 
 - Raya Salter, Executive Director, Energy Justice Law and Policy Center, Adjunct Professor of Law, Cardozo Law School 
 - Paul Gallay, Esq., Director, Columbia Resilient Coastal Communities Project
 - Antonia Pereira, Esq., Regional Director, DEC Region 2

12:15 - 1:15 pm - Lunch 

1:15 - 2:45 p.m. - Session 7: How should the SEQRA process change going forward?

Moderator: Jennifer Gray, Esq. Partner, Keane & Beane, White Plains, New York
Speakers: 
 - Heather Lanza, AICP, Planning Director, Town of Southold, New York
 - Robert Holbrook, Executive Director, NYC Get Stuff Built 
 - Karen M. Gaidasz, Bureau Director, Bureau of Energy Project Management, Division of Environmental Permits, DEC 

3:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Session 8: How is SEQRA addressing emerging issues? How should it?

Moderator: Professor Michael Gerrard
Speakers: 
 - Basil Seggos, Partner and Senior Policy Director, Foley Hoag and former Commissioner of DEC 
 - Scott Sheeley, Chief Permit Administrator, Division of Environmental Permits, DEC
 - Christopher Rizzo, Esq., Director, Environmental Practice Group, Carter Ledyard & Milburn
 - James T. McClymonds, Esq., Chief Administrative Law Judge, Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Transmission, Public Service Commission; formerly, Chief Administrative Law Judge, DEC
 - Radina Valova, Esq., Commissioner, New York State Public Service Commission 

4:30 - 5:00 p.m. - Wrap-up
 - Professor Keith Hirokawa
 - Professor Michael Gerrard
 

Sponsors

Hotel Information

A room block is available at the Hilton Garden Inn, located directly across the street from the law school. To take advantage of the discounted rate, please make your reservation by October 16th. Reservations can be made directly with the Hilton: (518) 396-3500 or (877) 782-9444 or through this link.