Robert S. Altman, special counsel with the Firm, focuses his practice on real estate and corporate and governmental affairs matters. He works out of the Firm's Whitehall Street office in New York City.

Robert has concentrated his private practice primarily on real estate tax incentives, real estate transactions and financing and related issues. He also advises a number of clients on their corporate affairs and is a registered lobbyist with the City of New York. Before joining the Firm, he headed the Government Relations Department of Barton & Zasky, after spending ten years as a legislative attorney for the New York City Council, the last six of which were as a senior member of the City Council staff.

While at the City Council, Robert served as lead Counsel to a number of different committees in the social welfare and economic development fields. He received a Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Flushing Chapter of the NAACP in 1990 for his community and governmental work.

In the area of economic development, Robert is recognized as one of the foremost experts on the Industrial and Commercial Incentive Program - the City's principal tax-incentive program - and the Lower Manhattan Plan, having served as the Council's lead attorney and legislative draftsman on these issues.   He also served on the Industrial and Commercial Incentive Program Boundary Commission in 1992 and 1995.

Robert serves on the Board of Directors of the Queens & Bronx Building Asociation and on the Long Island City Business Development Corporation.