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Robert J. Sorge heads the firm’s Corporate department. He has been advising and counseling to the firm’s clients on commercial, regulatory, valuation, and environmental matters since 1983.

Robert's practice involves representing energy and utility clients in the development and approval of energy projects, including the acquisition of necessary permits, approvals, real estate rights and related state and local environmental reviews. He has significant experience obtaining permits, franchises, and consents as well as acquiring real estate (fee and easement) rights through eminent domain proceedings. Bob has also counseled clients on numerous environmental issues involving federal, state, and local laws, including due diligence and compliance activities.

Robert has extensive experience representing local distribution companies, interstate pipelines, telecommunications companies, and other regulated entities in seeking reductions of real property and special franchise taxes. He has successfully litigated property tax related challenges based upon claims of illegality and unconstitutionality resulting in significant refunds and reduced future tax burdens for his clients.

Areas of Concentration:

  • Real property taxation
  • Project development and permitting
  • Environmental Compliance

Practice Areas

Corporate Banking and Financial Services Eminent Domain Utility Regulatory and Compliance Complex Real Property Tax Issues Real Estate Purchase and Sales Transactions Environmental Assessment Real Estate Property Tax Challenges Environmental Evaluations Review Energy, Renewables and Utilities Siting and Permitting Environmental Tax Assessment, Eminent Domain and Property Valuation Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Compliance Natural Gas Project Development Right-Of-Way (ROW)/ Easement State and Local Tax (SALT) Environmental Litigation Private Equity and Venture Capital Startups and Emerging Companies

Industries

Admissions

  • New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Education

  • J.D., St. John’s University School of Law, 1983
  • B.A., St. John’s University, St. John’s College, 1980

Representative Experience

  • Represented energy client on permitting and construction of interstate natural gas pipeline.
  • Represented petroleum products pipeline in litigation resulting in reduced special franchise and real property tax burden.
  • Represented natural gas distribution company in franchise and right-of-way acquisition matters.

Professional and Community Activities

  • Member, New York State Bar Association, Environmental and Real Property Section
  • Member, American Bar Association, Environmental Section

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