Business Details
32 Years
experience
Trusted Environmental & Land Use Law Firm in Rhinebeck, NY
Founded in 1994 by Drayton Grant and John Lyons, our firm specializes in environmental, land use, zoning, and real estate law. Based in Rhinebeck, New York, we serve clients across the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and eastern New York State. Our practice focuses on balancing community preservation with economic growth through legal strategies tailored to each client's needs. We represent municipalities, citizens' groups, developers, and environmental organizations in matters ranging from SEQRA compliance to conservation easements.With decades of combined experience, our attorneys provide personalized counsel backed by deep expertise in regulatory frameworks and litigation. We maintain strong relationships with surveyors, engineers, and realtors to deliver comprehensive solutions. Our commitment to environmental stewardship and community impact has established us as a trusted authority in the region's legal landscape.
Services
Land Use Law
Zoning Compliance
Environmental Regulation
Real Estate Transactions
Conservation Easements
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- We have 30+ years of combined experience in environmental law practice
- Our attorneys hold leadership roles in New York State Bar Association's Environmental Law Section
- We represent diverse clients including municipalities, Fortune 500 companies, and environmental groups
- Our attorneys maintain active memberships in environmental and legal professional organizations
- We combine litigation expertise with practical real estate transaction experience
Services
Land Use Law
Our land use practice helps clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks. We represent municipalities and developers in zoning ordinance creation, SEQRA compliance, and land development approvals. Our attorneys appear before planning boards and zoning commissions to resolve disputes and secure permits while balancing environmental protection with economic development needs.
Environmental Law
We handle all aspects of environmental law including brownfields remediation, wetlands protection, and superfund litigation. Our experience spans representation before NY DEC, EPA, and Army Corps of Engineers. We assist clients with environmental impact assessments, conservation easements, and compliance strategies for both public and private sector projects across New York State.
Real Estate Transactions
Our real estate practice covers commercial and residential transactions with emphasis on environmental due diligence. We represent buyers, sellers, and investors in title issues, land acquisition, and conservation-focused property transfers. Our attorneys provide comprehensive counsel on contamination liabilities, access rights, and regulatory compliance during property transactions.
People
John F. Lyons
Attorney
John Lyons has practiced land use and environmental law since 1985. He co-founded Grant & Lyons in 1994 and represents clients before planning boards and government agencies. He graduated cum laude from Pace University School of Law and maintains a real estate investment firm.
Kimberly A. Garrison
Associate Attorney
Kimberly Garrison joined the firm in 2013 after internships with environmental agencies and Riverkeeper, Inc. She graduated cum laude from Western New England University School of Law and focuses on environmental law and real estate transactions.
Drayton Grant
Co-Founder
Drayton Grant co-founded the firm in 1994 and practiced until her passing in 2012. A pioneer in environmental law, she served as Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Quality and taught environmental law at Brooklyn Law School and Bard College.
Questions
What geographic areas do you serve?
We primarily serve the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and eastern New York State, including Dutchess, Ulster, and Columbia Counties.
What types of clients do you represent?
Our clients include municipalities, planning boards, environmental organizations, developers, and individual property owners facing land use or environmental law issues.
What environmental law services do you offer?
We handle brownfields remediation, wetlands regulation, superfund litigation, SEQRA compliance, and environmental impact statement reviews across New York State.
How do you approach real estate transactions?
We provide comprehensive real estate services with focus on environmental due diligence, title issues, and conservation-oriented property transfers for commercial and residential clients.
