• Toni L. Finger advises developers, universities, hospitals and nonprofit organizations on the environmental aspects of real estate development and land use, including compliance with environmental statutes, regulations and permits, and defends clients facing regulatory enforcement proceedings. Toni also guides clients through the investigation, remediation and redevelopment of contaminated sites, including brownfield cleanups and compliance with New York City (E) designations.

    Toni has advised and represented a number of leading developers, educational and health care institutions, government agencies, and public and privately held corporations subject to federal, state and local environmental impact review processes, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and New York City’s Environmental Quality Review. Her significant environmental review matters include the representation of a major university in connection with the development of a campus in northern Manhattan, a bistate agency regarding a major transportation project, a major hospital regarding a new ambulatory care facility, and a real estate developer in connection with a proposed rezoning and large-scale plan for a major residential development in Manhattan.

    Toni also performs environmental reviews and risk assessments in the context of corporate mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies and restructurings, and real estate transactions. She litigates matters arising under federal and state environmental laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and New York’s Navigation Law, as well as challenges to land use approvals and to environmental reviews of development projects. Chambers USA notes Toni “is regularly sought by a wide range of clients including developers, corporates and nonprofits on the complicated environmental aspects of real estate deals.”

    Experience

    • Advised the New York Blood Center in connection with the environmental review required for its “Center East” life sciences hub project on East 67th Street in Manhattan

    • Represented The Frick Collection (Frick) in connection with the environmental review of a zoning variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals for the development of an addition to the Frick’s existing museum and library building located on Fifth Avenue in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

    • Advised Atlas Capital Group and Westbrook Partners in connection with the environmental review of a new zoning mechanism to allow the transfer of development rights from Pier 40 in the Hudson River Park, for use on the St. John’s Warehouse site.

    • Collaborated with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development on the environmental review in connection with land use approvals for the development by the Fortune Society, a New York City based nonprofit organization, of a new building by the with 81 units of supportive and affordable housing in upper Manhattan. 

    • Represented Sentinel Capital Partners in its acquisition of SPL, a leader in testing, inspection, and certification services for energy and environmental markets.

    • Represented VICI Properties Inc., an NYSE-listed REIT, in its acquisition of the real estate assets associated with Fitz Casino & Hotel and WaterView Casino & Hotel for approximately $293.4 million, and the simultaneous leaseback to subsidiaries of Foundation Gaming and Entertainment, LLC.

    • Assisted developers and educational institutions with permitting in connection with various environmental compliance issues.

    • Represented a joint venture of Toll Brothers and Starwood Capital Group in connection with its winning bid for and negotiation of a 97-year ground lease to develop a new $300 million hotel and residential complex to be built next to Pier 1.

    • Provided environmental counsel to Del Monte Pacific Ltd. in its acquisition of the consumer foods business of Del Monte Corp.

    • Advised Spraylat Corp. on environmental aspects of its sale to PPG Industries Inc.

    • Advised Fundtech Ltd. on environmental issues in connection with its stock merger with S1 Corp.

    • Advised Rising Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned pharmaceutical distributor, on environmental issues in connection with its sale to Aceto Corp., a publicly traded chemical company.

    • Counsels major insurance companies providing representation and warranty insurance policies on the environmental risks associated with corporate transactions.

    Credentials

    Education

    • J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, 1999
      • Member, Women's Law Journal
    • B.A., Emory University, 1996

    Bar Admissions

    • New York, 2000

    Court Admissions

    • U.S.D.C., Eastern District of New York
    • U.S.D.C., Southern District of New York

    Professional Affiliations

    • New York City Bar Association, Environmental Law Committee, Affiliate Member
  • *No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the Super Lawyers selection methodology can be found here.