BLOG
Enacted Changes to New York State SEQRA Laws
New York State has enacted a significant policy initiative aimed at streamlining the environmental review process under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”). Through a combination of targeted statutory amendments and executive actions, the State implemented measures to hasten approvals for qualifying development projects, particularly for housing, while maintaining…
What Is The Virtual Evidence Courtroom?
In the fall of 2025, the Commercial Division Rules of the New York Supreme Court were amended to add Rule 25-a titled “Virtual Evidence Courtrooms.” What does this new rule mean for practitioners? The “virtual evidence courtroom” or “VEC” is a web-based platform incorporated into the existing NYSCEF system that…
2026 Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Condominium Guideline Changes Affecting Condo Boards, Managing Agents, Sponsors & Sellers.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac released significant updates to condominium lending and project‑eligibility standards on March 18, 2026. Several of these changes directly impact condominium governance, budgeting, insurance requirements, reserve study obligations, and will impact disclosures in Offering Plans. Mandatory Increase in Annual Reserve Contributions (Effective January 4, 2027) Fannie…
AI Governance in New York: A Focus on Transparency
The surge of AI development has sparked intense debate and has resulted in split public sentiment. On the one hand, many view AI as a transformative piece of technology with the ability to increase efficiency across professional industries, improve accessibility for marginalized groups, and compliment, rather than replace, human ingenuity…
Attorney General Issues New Submission Policies, Repeals Temporary COVID Relief Period Guidelines
The New York Attorney General’s Real Estate Finance Bureau (“REF”) has issued a series of guidance memoranda announcing the formal end of COVID-19 relief policies and the reinstatement of pre-COVID enforcement standards, subject to a limited grace period. These changes materially affect sponsors, developers, and sales teams operating in New…