Profile
Erik W. Snipas focuses his practice on land use and zoning matters, serving clients across Nassau County, Long Island, and Oyster Bay. He represents property owners, developers, REITs, and businesses in zoning, planning, and land use matters involving variances, special use permits, site plan approvals, code violations, and Article 78 proceedings.
His practice is shaped by his litigation background, which gives him a strong advantage in presenting persuasive arguments, anticipating municipal concerns, and navigating high-stakes land use disputes. He uses that experience to help clients pursue practical, results-oriented approvals before local boards and agencies throughout Long Island. Erik counsels clients on the legal and practical issues involved in development approvals, municipal board appearances, and contested land use matters.
He regularly assists clients seeking:
- Variances
- Special use permits
- Site plan approvals
- Subdivision approvals
- Parking variances
- Sign variances
- Use variances
- Article 78 relief
- Representation in code violation matters
Long Island Experience
Erik appears before zoning, planning, and other municipal boards throughout Long Island. His experience spans multiple towns and villages, including Glen Cove, Babylon, Brookhaven, East Hampton, Hempstead, Huntington, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, and several North Shore villages.
This broad municipal experience is especially valuable for clients seeking a Long Island zoning attorney who understands how different local boards evaluate variance requests, site plans, special permits, and redevelopment proposals.
Nassau County and Oyster Bay
Erik has deep experience with land use matters in Nassau County and the Town of Oyster Bay. His experience includes securing numerous minor and major subdivision approvals from the Nassau County Planning Commission and variances from the Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals for a four-lot subdivision.
He has also represented clients before the Town of Oyster Bay Town Board, the Oyster Bay Planning Advisory Board, and the Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals in matters involving restaurant repurposing, drive-through use, warehouse development, and other commercial and mixed-use applications.
Before joining Greenberg Traurig, Erik served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted violent and non-violent felony matters and handled trials, motions, witness examinations, and negotiations. That courtroom experience supports his land use practice by strengthening his advocacy in contested municipal and litigation settings.
He also served as a legal intern with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Central Islip and the Office of the New York State Attorney General.
Capabilities
Experience
- Represented The Swing, Golf Lounge Inc. in obtaining a Special Use Permit, Site Plan Approval, and parking variance to construct a high-end, members-only, indoor golf simulator in Jericho, New York.
- Represented client Multibrands Massapequa TIC Real Estate LLC before the Town of Oyster Bay Town Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to repurpose the former Hudson’s Mill restaurant and add a drive-through window for use by one of the largest coffee brands in the United States and a multinational chain of ice cream shops.
- 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.°
- Secured zoning approvals for three new My Gym Children's Fitness Center locations.
- Secured special use permits and a parking variance in connection with the expansion of the Syosset Sports and Recreation Hub.
- Secured special use permits for Evolve Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation.
- Represented the seller in sale-related transactions for a rent-stabilized apartment building in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Snipas prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
In connection with zoning applications, he has appeared before boards in the following municipalities throughout Long Island:
- 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 Bayville
- 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
- Village of The Branch
- 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, 2024-2026
- Listed, Long Island Business News, “40 Under Forty,” 2025
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, New York Metro Super Lawyers, “Rising Stars,” 2020-2025
- Team Member, a Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2023
- Member, Village of Lloyd Harbor’s Board of Zoning Appeals, 2025
- Alternate, Village of Lloyd Harbor’s Planning Board, 2025
- 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
- Director of External Competition, Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute
- Recipient of the 2013 Federal Bar Council Award
- Finalist, Buffalo-Niagara Invitational Mock Trial Tournament
- Semi-Finalist, Texas Young Lawyers Association Regional Mock Trial Tournament
- B.S., St. John's University
- New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York