Law

Town Attorney Andrea Rendo		Deputy Town Attorney Frank A. Acocella
Village Attorney Jonathan D. Kraut		Deputy Village Attorney Mitchell Baker

Andrea Rendo serves as Town Attorney, and Frank Acocella serves as Deputy Town Attorney, and Jonathan D. Kraut as Village Attorney and Mitchell Baker as Deputy Village Attorney for the Town of Harrison and Village of Harrison. The Town of Harrison and Village of Harrison are co-terminus municipalities, and therefore present unique and interesting legal issues. Collectively, the attorneys advise Town boards, departments and officials and handle a wide variety of legal matters affecting the operation of Town and Village governments. They also represent and defend the Town and Village, its various boards and officials in state and federal litigation.

The attorneys must possess a thorough knowledge of, and interpret, Federal, New York State and Town and Village Laws as they pertain to Harrison. They are called upon to advise the Town and Village Boards, Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, Architectural Review Board and department heads with respect to ordinances, contracts, and matters involving personnel and labor relations. Their expertise also encompasses the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review, Open Meetings Law and Zoning Ordinance of the Town and local laws of the Town or Village, as well as master the differences between towns and villages.

When the Town Board plans to enact a new ordinance or local law, the attorneys must draft the law so that, if challenged, it will withstand judicial scrutiny while accomplishing the Town Board's goals. The attorneys also prosecute all local law and code violations, and defend and monitor property damage and personal injury claims presented against the Town of Harrison and Village of Harrison. They also have the responsibility of coordinating all litigation involving insurance, personal injury and property damage compensation cases, employment, federal civil rights and appellate litigation.