NeilWeisbard
Partner
Real Estate
nweisbard@seyfarth.com
Neil is a creative, efficient, and effective lawyer, who not only helps his clients achieve their objectives, but also strives to benefit the landscape of the municipality itself.
More About Neil
As a national zoning and land use attorney, Neil advises developers, property owners and their representatives, architects, expediters, restaurant operators, and hotel operators on land use, zoning, and administrative law matters, including securing construction permits. Neil represents real estate developers, retailers, and hospitality companies in navigating complex entitlement and permitting requirements across jurisdictions nationwide. With a strategic, solutions-oriented approach, he helps clients streamline approvals, accelerate timelines, and reduce reliance on outside counsel—enabling projects to move efficiently from concept to construction.
Over the past two decades, Neil has built and led two top-tier land use practices, supporting complex, multijurisdictional developments spanning hundreds of locations nationwide. He is known for delivering practical, business-focused counsel that aligns regulatory compliance with broader development and growth strategies.
Neil’s experience includes managing zoning approvals and entitlement analyses across more than 100 municipalities, coordinating with planning boards, departments of transportation, and building agencies, and advising on site plan due diligence and project feasibility. He also counsels clients on multistate land use compliance for large-scale developments and retail rollouts, ensuring consistency and efficiency across diverse regulatory environments.
Working at the intersection of real estate, regulation, and development strategy, Neil partners closely with clients to anticipate challenges, mitigate risk, and execute projects with speed and precision.
“I am extremely proud to be part of the Seyfarth team assisting our top-notch attorneys in zoning and land use matters nationwide.”
Over the past two decades, Neil has built and led two top-tier land use practices, supporting complex, multijurisdictional developments spanning hundreds of locations nationwide. He is known for delivering practical, business-focused counsel that aligns regulatory compliance with broader development and growth strategies.
Neil’s experience includes managing zoning approvals and entitlement analyses across more than 100 municipalities, coordinating with planning boards, departments of transportation, and building agencies, and advising on site plan due diligence and project feasibility. He also counsels clients on multistate land use compliance for large-scale developments and retail rollouts, ensuring consistency and efficiency across diverse regulatory environments.
Working at the intersection of real estate, regulation, and development strategy, Neil partners closely with clients to anticipate challenges, mitigate risk, and execute projects with speed and precision.
“I am extremely proud to be part of the Seyfarth team assisting our top-notch attorneys in zoning and land use matters nationwide.”
- JD, Brooklyn Law School
CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Land Use Controls
Max M. Lome Memorial Prize for Urban Law
Richardson Merit Scholarship - BA, Ithaca College
- New Jersey
- New York
Related Services
End-to-End Real Estate Representation
Clients rely on Neil to provide a thorough analysis of a property’s potential and advise on ways to maximize the value of their real estate holdings. He facilitates the process of obtaining zoning variances and modifications and the necessary permits at all stages of development, from construction through occupancy.
Neil works on real estate deals that involve both residential and commercial properties. His creativity and comprehensive knowledge of zoning regulations enable him to quickly identify ways to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Neil finds ways to:
- Build residential units on properties zoned for industrial use.
- Increase density by adding affordable housing units.
- Take advantage of available incentives and tax breaks.
- Alter landmark buildings.
Neil regularly represents clients in requests for approvals, interpretations, resolutions, and determinations for a wide range of projects including:
- Office, manufacturing, and industrial facilities
- Hotels and restaurants
- Retail stores
- Medical facilities and nursing homes
- Nonprofit transitional housing
- Mixed-use properties
- Apartments condominiums and single-family dwellings
Savvy Governmental and Agency Navigation
Neil is well versed in municipal zoning resolutions and building codes, the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL), licensing requirements, and historical and environmental regulations that must be addressed prior to development. He anticipates issues, skillfully structures requests and applications, and helps clients obtain the necessary approvals without undue delay.
Neil appears on behalf of clients before a variety of New York City regulatory authorities. These include:
- City Planning Commission (CPC)
- Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA)
- Department of Buildings (DOB)
- Environmental Control Board (ECB)
- Landmark Preservation Commission
- Housing Preservation and Development
- Department of Finance
- Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
- Mayor’s Office
- Office of the City Register
- Department of Transportation
- Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
- Master License Electrical Board
Clients rely on Neil’s extensive experience and deep understanding of agency procedures to efficiently handle a variety of requirements critical to their projects, including:
- Obtaining favorable Zoning Resolution Determinations (ZRD1), Construction Code Determinations (CCD1), and easement and occupancy rulings.
- Rescinding stop work orders and permit revocations.
- Securing Certificates of Correction, Certificates of No Harassment, Certificates of Occupancy, and Letters of No Impact.
- Preparing Zoning Lot Development Agreements, Zoning Lot exhibits, and construction agreements.
When disputes arise, Neil diligently represents clients in governmental agency proceedings, including those before the Environmental Control Board, and in criminal court actions regarding alleged Department of Buildings and Fire Department violations.
Neil is a 2005 graduate of Brooklyn Law School, where he won the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Land Use Controls, the Max M. Lome Memorial Prize for Urban Law, and the Richardson Merit Scholarship.
- Listed in National Law Journal "Trailblazer" for Real Estate (2022)
- Listed in New York Super Lawyers Rising Star for Land Use/Zoning (Thomson Reuters) (2015-2016)
- Member, Land Use Planning & Zoning Committee of the New York City Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Unpacking ANNY, NYC’s New Affordable Housing Tax Exemption Program," The New York Law Journal (June 24, 2024)
- Author, "The Powers of the Zoning Resolution: Top Five Special Permits, Part V," New York Law Journal , (October 2, 2023)
- Author, “Help, I Can’t Comply With the Zoning Resolution! No Worries, Seek a Variance,” New York Law Journal (March 23, 2023)
- Author, "From A to 'Zoning Lot': Practitioner’s Guide to the Powers of the Zoning Resolution, Part IV," New York Law Journal (May 10, 2023)
- Author, “Creating Value Out of Thin Air: Air Rights Decoded,” New York Law Journal (January 5, 2023)
- Author, “The Practitioner’s Guide to the Powers of the Zoning Resolution,” New York Law Journal (November 15, 2022)
- Co-Speaker, "The Property Line: Let There Be Light? Converting Offices to Residences," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 27, 2024)
- CLE – Practicing Law Institute (PLI), Lawline and National Academy of Continuing Education (NACLE)
- A Practitioner's Guide to Navigating the Maze of New York City Zoning and Land Use
- Presenter, "Real Life Case Studies of Conversions & Adaptive Reuse," IMN's Distressed Commercial Real Estate Forum, New York, NY (September 26, 2023)
Pro bono representation
- Chinatown District Management Association
- Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, Inc.
Neil is a creative, efficient, and effective lawyer, who not only helps his clients achieve their objectives, but also strives to benefit the landscape of the municipality itself.
More About Neil
As a national zoning and land use attorney, Neil advises developers, property owners and their representatives, architects, expediters, restaurant operators, and hotel operators on land use, zoning, and administrative law matters, including securing construction permits. Neil represents real estate developers, retailers, and hospitality companies in navigating complex entitlement and permitting requirements across jurisdictions nationwide. With a strategic, solutions-oriented approach, he helps clients streamline approvals, accelerate timelines, and reduce reliance on outside counsel—enabling projects to move efficiently from concept to construction.
Over the past two decades, Neil has built and led two top-tier land use practices, supporting complex, multijurisdictional developments spanning hundreds of locations nationwide. He is known for delivering practical, business-focused counsel that aligns regulatory compliance with broader development and growth strategies.
Neil’s experience includes managing zoning approvals and entitlement analyses across more than 100 municipalities, coordinating with planning boards, departments of transportation, and building agencies, and advising on site plan due diligence and project feasibility. He also counsels clients on multistate land use compliance for large-scale developments and retail rollouts, ensuring consistency and efficiency across diverse regulatory environments.
Working at the intersection of real estate, regulation, and development strategy, Neil partners closely with clients to anticipate challenges, mitigate risk, and execute projects with speed and precision.
“I am extremely proud to be part of the Seyfarth team assisting our top-notch attorneys in zoning and land use matters nationwide.”
Over the past two decades, Neil has built and led two top-tier land use practices, supporting complex, multijurisdictional developments spanning hundreds of locations nationwide. He is known for delivering practical, business-focused counsel that aligns regulatory compliance with broader development and growth strategies.
Neil’s experience includes managing zoning approvals and entitlement analyses across more than 100 municipalities, coordinating with planning boards, departments of transportation, and building agencies, and advising on site plan due diligence and project feasibility. He also counsels clients on multistate land use compliance for large-scale developments and retail rollouts, ensuring consistency and efficiency across diverse regulatory environments.
Working at the intersection of real estate, regulation, and development strategy, Neil partners closely with clients to anticipate challenges, mitigate risk, and execute projects with speed and precision.
“I am extremely proud to be part of the Seyfarth team assisting our top-notch attorneys in zoning and land use matters nationwide.”
- JD, Brooklyn Law School
CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Land Use Controls
Max M. Lome Memorial Prize for Urban Law
Richardson Merit Scholarship - BA, Ithaca College
- New Jersey
- New York
Related Services
End-to-End Real Estate Representation
Clients rely on Neil to provide a thorough analysis of a property’s potential and advise on ways to maximize the value of their real estate holdings. He facilitates the process of obtaining zoning variances and modifications and the necessary permits at all stages of development, from construction through occupancy.
Neil works on real estate deals that involve both residential and commercial properties. His creativity and comprehensive knowledge of zoning regulations enable him to quickly identify ways to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Neil finds ways to:
- Build residential units on properties zoned for industrial use.
- Increase density by adding affordable housing units.
- Take advantage of available incentives and tax breaks.
- Alter landmark buildings.
Neil regularly represents clients in requests for approvals, interpretations, resolutions, and determinations for a wide range of projects including:
- Office, manufacturing, and industrial facilities
- Hotels and restaurants
- Retail stores
- Medical facilities and nursing homes
- Nonprofit transitional housing
- Mixed-use properties
- Apartments condominiums and single-family dwellings
Savvy Governmental and Agency Navigation
Neil is well versed in municipal zoning resolutions and building codes, the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL), licensing requirements, and historical and environmental regulations that must be addressed prior to development. He anticipates issues, skillfully structures requests and applications, and helps clients obtain the necessary approvals without undue delay.
Neil appears on behalf of clients before a variety of New York City regulatory authorities. These include:
- City Planning Commission (CPC)
- Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA)
- Department of Buildings (DOB)
- Environmental Control Board (ECB)
- Landmark Preservation Commission
- Housing Preservation and Development
- Department of Finance
- Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
- Mayor’s Office
- Office of the City Register
- Department of Transportation
- Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
- Master License Electrical Board
Clients rely on Neil’s extensive experience and deep understanding of agency procedures to efficiently handle a variety of requirements critical to their projects, including:
- Obtaining favorable Zoning Resolution Determinations (ZRD1), Construction Code Determinations (CCD1), and easement and occupancy rulings.
- Rescinding stop work orders and permit revocations.
- Securing Certificates of Correction, Certificates of No Harassment, Certificates of Occupancy, and Letters of No Impact.
- Preparing Zoning Lot Development Agreements, Zoning Lot exhibits, and construction agreements.
When disputes arise, Neil diligently represents clients in governmental agency proceedings, including those before the Environmental Control Board, and in criminal court actions regarding alleged Department of Buildings and Fire Department violations.
Neil is a 2005 graduate of Brooklyn Law School, where he won the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Land Use Controls, the Max M. Lome Memorial Prize for Urban Law, and the Richardson Merit Scholarship.
- Listed in National Law Journal "Trailblazer" for Real Estate (2022)
- Listed in New York Super Lawyers Rising Star for Land Use/Zoning (Thomson Reuters) (2015-2016)
- Member, Land Use Planning & Zoning Committee of the New York City Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Unpacking ANNY, NYC’s New Affordable Housing Tax Exemption Program," The New York Law Journal (June 24, 2024)
- Author, "The Powers of the Zoning Resolution: Top Five Special Permits, Part V," New York Law Journal , (October 2, 2023)
- Author, “Help, I Can’t Comply With the Zoning Resolution! No Worries, Seek a Variance,” New York Law Journal (March 23, 2023)
- Author, "From A to 'Zoning Lot': Practitioner’s Guide to the Powers of the Zoning Resolution, Part IV," New York Law Journal (May 10, 2023)
- Author, “Creating Value Out of Thin Air: Air Rights Decoded,” New York Law Journal (January 5, 2023)
- Author, “The Practitioner’s Guide to the Powers of the Zoning Resolution,” New York Law Journal (November 15, 2022)
- Co-Speaker, "The Property Line: Let There Be Light? Converting Offices to Residences," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 27, 2024)
- CLE – Practicing Law Institute (PLI), Lawline and National Academy of Continuing Education (NACLE)
- A Practitioner's Guide to Navigating the Maze of New York City Zoning and Land Use
- Presenter, "Real Life Case Studies of Conversions & Adaptive Reuse," IMN's Distressed Commercial Real Estate Forum, New York, NY (September 26, 2023)
Pro bono representation
- Chinatown District Management Association
- Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, Inc.