• 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

    Focus Areas

  • Perspectives

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    • Announcements
      Oct. 24, 2024
      2024 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists Include Over 90 Kramer Levin Attorneys
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    • Client Alerts
      July 18, 2024
      LL97: Countdown to Compliance
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    • Client Alerts
      June 12, 2024
      White House Releases Voluntary Carbon Markets Guidelines
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    • Announcements
      June 06, 2024
      Chambers USA 2024 Recognizes Kramer Levin
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    • Client Alerts
      March 18, 2024
      SEC Issues Final Climate Disclosure Rules: Rule’s Future Subject to Challenge
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    • Defining Matters
      Feb. 06, 2024
      Another Land Use Victory for New York Blood Center
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    • Client Alerts
      Jan. 17, 2024
      Update on New York City Local Law 97: Relaxed Rules Impact the First Compliance Period
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    • Defining Matters
      Dec. 19, 2023
      Kramer Levin Advises VICI in Expanded Investment With Existing Partner Chelsea Piers
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    • Articles
      Winter 2023 Issue
      New Rules Under New York City Local Law 97 Provide Building Owners a Small Break
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    • Defining Matters
      Oct. 19, 2023
      Kramer Levin Advises VICI in $432.9 Million Acquisition of Bowlero Bowling Centers
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    • Client Alerts
      Sept. 26, 2023
      Update on New York City Local Law 97: Proposed Rules Provide Building Owners a Small Break
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    • Announcements
      Sept. 22, 2023
      2023 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists Include Over 90 Kramer Levin Attorneys
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    • Defining Matters
      Sept. 07, 2023
      VICI Completes Acquisition of Four Properties in Alberta, Canada in Sale-Leaseback Transaction with Century Casinos, Inc.
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    • Defining Matters
      Aug. 24, 2023
      Kramer Levin Advises VICI in $140 Million Canyon Ranch Mortgage Financing
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    • Defining Matters
      July 27, 2023
      Kramer Levin Advises VICI in Acquisition of Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, MD
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    • Defining Matters
      July 27, 2023
      Kramer Levin Advises VICI in Preferred Equity Investment in Canyon Ranch and Anticipated Mortgage Loan for Canyon Ranch Tucson and Canyon Ranch Lenox
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    • Defining Matters
      June 02, 2023
      Kramer Levin Secures Zoning Variance on Behalf of Quadrum Global for Construction of 21-Story Residential and Commercial Building on LIC Waterfront
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    • Client Alerts
      June 01, 2023
      The Supreme Court Limits Federal Authority to Regulate Wetlands
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    • Media Mentions
      May 26, 2023
      The Real Deal: Bad “Environment” for Housing: Foes Exploit Green Laws to Stop Projects
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    • Media Mentions
      May 26, 2023
      The Real Deal: States Target Housing Foes’ Abuse of Environmental Review
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    • Client Alerts
      May 16, 2023
      Land Use Issues Addressed at Kramer Levin Seminar
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    • Seminar
      May 03, 2023
      Emerging Issues in Land Use: The Year in Review and What’s Ahead
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    • Announcements
      Feb. 07, 2023
      2023 Lawdragon Green 500 Recognizes Toni Finger and Charles Warren
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    • Defining Matters
      Dec. 27, 2022
      Kramer Levin Client VICI Completes Acquisition of Two Casino-and-Hotel Properties in Mississippi
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    • Client Alerts
      Sept. 20, 2022
      New York City Local Law 97 Has a Mechanism to Help Small Building Owners
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    • Defining Matters
      Aug. 22, 2022
      Major Land Use Victory for New York Blood Center
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    • Defining Matters
      July 29, 2022
      Kramer Levin Advises Sentinel Capital Partners in Acquisition of Bandon Holdings
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    • Client Alerts
      July 12, 2022
      Supreme Court Rejects EPA’s ‘Clean Power Plan’ in Decision Raising Questions About the SEC’s Climate-Related Disclosure Rules
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    • Defining Matters
      May 03, 2022
      Kramer Levin Advises VICI in $17.2 Billion Acquisition of MGM Growth Properties
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    • Seminar
      April 28, 2022
      Kramer Levin Webinar: Emerging Issues in Land Use — The Year in Review and What’s Ahead
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  • Recognition

    2024
    Chambers and Partners’ Chambers USA
    2022 – 2024
    Thomson Reuters’ New York Metro Super Lawyers*
    Environmental (2023)
    2023
    Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law
    2021
    Lawdragon 500
    Leading U.S. Environmental & Energy Lawyers
    2015, 2019
    Marvin Frankel Pro Bono Award
    Outstanding Pro Bono Contributions
    *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.