Profile
Erik W. Snipas focuses his practice on land use and zoning matters, as well as industrial development agency (IDA) and municipal benefits and government incentives, environmental, municipal, and real estate law. He represents various clients including real estate investment trusts, public companies, large corporations, real estate developers, and residential property owners. With deep experience seeking variances, change of use permits, special use permits, site plan approvals, and subdivisions for clients, he has advocated before numerous municipalities across the region.
In addition to land use and zoning matters, Erik also handles various litigation cases including Article 78 proceedings challenging board determinations and representation of entities charged with code violations in district court. Erik previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Queens District Attorney’s office.
Capabilities
Experience
- Secured approvals for one of the world’s largest real estate managers in connection with its application to the Town of Oyster Bay’s Planning Advisory Board and Zoning Board of Appeals for a spec-warehouse.°
- Secured a Special Use Permit and Site Plan Approval to convert a former motel site into a dormitory for college students.°
- Secured subdivision approval from the Nassau County Planning Commission and variances from the Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals for a four-lot subdivision.°
- Secured Site Plan Approval from the Village of Oyster Bay Cove Planning Board to construct a new 2-story dwelling with patios and terraces, in-ground swimming pool, retaining walls, and other associated site improvements.°
- Secured variances from the Village of Lattingtown and approval from the Nassau County Planning Commission for a lot line adjustment.°
- Secured Site Plan Approval and a parking variance to allow an orthopedics and sports medicine facility to construct an addition to be used as a surgical room.°
- Secured Site Plan Approval for a warehouse and delivery station in Syosset.°
- Represented an educational facility in connection with its application to the City of Glen Cove Planning Board for site plan approval and to amend an existing special use permit.°
- Secured a use variance, area variances, and site plan approval for a bakery in Glen Cove.°
- Secured site plan approval and sign variances from the Town of Oyster Bay’s Zoning Board of Appeals to construct a car dealership.°
In connection with zoning applications, he has appeared before boards in the following municipalities:
- City of Glen Cove.°
- Town of Babylon.°
- Town of Brookhaven.°
- Town of East Hampton.°
- Town of Hempstead.°
- Town of Huntington.°
- Town of North Hempstead.°
- Town of Oyster Bay.°
- Village of Farmingdale.°
- Village of Flower Hill.°
- Village of Hempstead.°
- Village of Huntington Bay.°
- Village of Kings Point.°
- Village of Lattingtown.°
- Village of Lawrence.°
- Village of Mill Neck.°
- Village of Muttontown.°
- Village of Northport.°
- Village of Oyster Bay Cove.°
- Village of Plandome Manor.°
- Village of Rockville Centre.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Snipas prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- Assistant District Attorney, Queens District Attorney’s Office, 2014-2017
- Legal Intern, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central Islip, New York, 2013
- Legal Intern, Office of the New York State Attorney General, 2012
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, "Ones to Watch," Land Use & Zoning Law, 2024
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, New York Metro Super Lawyers, “Rising Stars,” 2020-2023
- Alternate, Village of Lloyd Harbor’s Board of Zoning Appeals, 2024
- Member, Nassau County Bar Association, 2019-Present
- Co-Vice Chair, Municipal Law and Land Use Committee, 2023-Present
- Inspector of Elections, Lloyd Neck Estates, 2021-2022
- Member, Assistant District Attorney’s Association of Queens, 2015- Present
- Member, Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, 2021-Present
- Coach, St. John’s University School of Law, 2017-2022
Credentials
- J.D., St. John's University School of Law
- B.S., St. John's University
- New York