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John R. Langey - Partner, Chief Executive Officer

John R. Langey

Partner, Chief Executive Officer

John R. Langey is a Partner at Costello, Cooney & Fearon. He started his career with the Firm in 1989.

John provides direction and counsel to all levels of local and county-wide governmental agencies, and works with zoning and planning boards, developers, and private property owners. His primary focus in zoning matters is aiding his clients with right-to-build approvals, as well as defending and prosecuting Article 78 Proceedings.

One of the Firm’s top environmental law professionals, John has championed efforts to receive approvals from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to treat invasive species threatening the livelihood of Cazenovia Lake.

John has obtained major compensation awards for his commercial clients, prosecuted and defended hundreds of tax certiorari claims throughout the State, as well as worked to form dozens of special districts across New York with a focus on water treatment, waste-water management, drainage, and lighting.

John also served as Chief Financial Officer at Costello, Cooney & Fearon until 2022, when he was elected as the Firm’s Chief Executive Officer. He is also Chair of the Firm’s Pro Bono Committee, and he chairs the Firm’s Department of Fun.

Education


State University of New York at Buffalo Law
magna cum laude
1990
State University of New York at Potsdam
cum laude
1987

Admissions


New York
United States District Court for the Northern District of New York

Speaking Engagements & Publications


County Attorneys' Association of the State of New York (CAASNY)
Intermunicipal Agreements: Shared Services Between Counties, Villages, and Towns
New York State Association of Towns, Annual Conference
Siting Utility Scale Solar Projects
New York State Federation of Lake Associations, Inc, Virtual Annual Conference
Short Term Rental Presentation
New York State Tug Hill Commission
Siting Utility Scale Solar Projects
Onondaga County Planning Federation Annual Symposium
Topics include:
The Comprehensive Plan, SEQR Basics and the New DEC Environmental Assessment Forms
Farm Wineries, Farm Breweries & Farm Distilleries: Impacts of ‘Marketing’ the Farm Product through Wedding Receptions and Other Events
Farm Wineries, Farm Breweries & Farm Distilleries: What Municipalities Need to Know - The Town’s Perspective
Planning for Small Farm Animals in Communities
The SEQR Process: Overview and Introduction of the New SEQR Forms
Siting and Regulating Windmills in Local Communities, Comprehensive Plan
Public Sector Legal Forum
What Does a Tax Certiorari Proceeding Mean to Your School, Town, Village, or City

Professional Organizations & Community Involvement


Onondaga County Planning Federation
Member, Board of Directors
Madison County Ethics Board
Board Chair

Memberships


Onondaga County Bar Association
New York State Bar Association

Awards


Martindale-Hubbell®
AV Preeminent®
2024
Best Lawyers®
Best Lawyers in America®
2011-Present
Best Lawyers®
"Lawyer of the Year" for Land Use and Zoning Law, Syracuse
2023
Super Lawyers®
State, Local & Municipal, Land Use & Zoning
2020-Present