Brian Flanagan serves as the firm’s general counsel and is intimately engaged in the leadership and management of the firm. In his real estate practice, Brian represents clients in structuring commercial development and dispositions. He also advises on commercial workouts/foreclosure and property valuation issues. Brian previously served as operations partner and as head of the Real Estate Department.
I have represented major developers, corporate owners, energy projects, municipalities, hotels and shopping center owners in various aspects of real estate development and valuation.
I have also focused on representing lenders and servicers in resolving distressed real estate, having foreclosed shopping centers, hotels, industrial projects and failed developments across New York State. I enjoy working with clients to acquire, develop and dispose of various real estate assets and have led teams in managing numerous large real estate projects.
I have extensive experience in representing developers in structuring transactions to lessen property tax liability, including negotiating a number of payment in lieu of tax agreements for energy projects. I have also litigated assessment reductions for a number of large commercial projects, including power generating facilities.
I am on the executive committee of the board of directors of the Rochester Business Alliance and also serve as a vice chair of the executive committee of the board of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation. I also sit on the regional advisory board for JP Morgan Chase.
Martindale-Hubbell has rated me “AV” and I have received numerous Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America© and other professional recognitions.
I appreciate clients’ business challenges, as I face many similar challenges in managing firm issues. We need to proactively help clients manage their legal needs with open communication around expectations, deliverables and providing value. I require our vendors to provide value and appreciate greatly how we as a firm likewise need to show clients our value every day.
University of Chicago, J.D.
Syracuse University, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
New York
Brian was selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 in the field of Real Estate Law. Brian has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2016.
Brian has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating™ from Martindale Hubbell®, the highest possible rating for ethics and legal ability.
He was selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers list in 2008-2012.
Brian Flanagan is a member of the New York State (Committee on Condominiums and Cooperatives) and Monroe County (former chair, Real Estate Council) bar associations and the Institute for Professionals in Taxation.
