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Alexis
Saba

Associate

Alexis
Saba

Associate

Alexis focuses her practice on environmental and land use law and litigation. Most recently, she has been working with clients to understand and comply with New York State and City climate and building decarbonization requirements such as NYC’s Local Law 97 of 2019, including green leasing, landlord/tenant negotiations, solar/storage development, penalty mitigation, and strategic planning.

Alexis’s general experience includes advising clients on complex, multi-jurisdictional projects such as infrastructure and waterfront developments, including issues with title to lands under water; preparing and facilitating applications for environmental permits, as well as the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program; negotiating resolution of permit violations; assisting clients with environmental due diligence related to real estate financing and development; and defending and prosecuting lawsuits related to environmental liabilities, environmental impact assessments, land use and zoning decisions, and construction matters.

Prior to joining SPR in 2016, Alexis worked in the Litigation group at an international law firm where her practice focused on commercial litigation, government and internal investigations, and pro bono immigration work.  Alexis was also a post-graduate legal fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School.

“Best Lawyers®: Ones To Watch” for Environmental Law
New York Super Lawyers, Environmental, Rising Star

Climate Mobilization Act Series: The IRA Meets New York

For: Building Energy Exchange (panelist)

January 24, 2023

Superfund/Brownfield Update 2021: Case Law Update

For: New York State Bar Association (panelist)

December 8, 2021

“Lands Under Water in NYC: Foundation of Waterfront Development”

For: Fordham Law School

October 2021

“NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act – Practical Implications and Updates Nearly One Month Away From The First Deadline”

For: St. John’s University School of Law (panelist)

May 2021

“Applying for LL97 Adjustments”

For: Building Energy Exchange (panelist)

May 2021

“Preparing for Carbon Emission Limits under NYC Local Law 97”

For: HalfMoon Education, Inc. (panelist)

January 2021

“Maximizing Property Values Through Onsite Solar”

For: Fall 2020 Webinar Series with SPR and Crauderueff Solar (panelist)

November 2020

“NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act – Practical Implications with Less Than Nine Months to the First Deadlines”

For: New York State Bar Association, Environment and Energy Law Section Fall Meeting (panelist)

October 2020

“Optimizing Your New Roof’s Value: Local Law 92/94 Opportunities”

For: Webinar Hosted by SPR and Crauderueff Solar (panelist)

April 2020

“Local Law 97 – Legal, Technical and Financial Risks Uncovered”

For: Seminar Hosted by SPR and RENEW Energy Partners (panelist)

March 2020

“WISE Tackles the Climate Mobilization Act”

For: Building Energy Exchange panel (panelist)

October 2019

“SPR Attorneys Explain the NYC Buildings Emissions Law”

For: SPR Webinar (with Jeff Gracer)

August 2019

“The Climate Mobilization Act – How It Affects You (And How PACE Can Help)”

For: Duval & Stachenfeld LLP panel (panelist)

July 2019

“Looking Forward and Looking Back: The Path to Deep Emissions Reductions in New York City’s Buildings”

For: New York City Bar Association panel (moderator)

May 2019

“Land Under Water in NYC: What It Is & Why It Matters”

For: American Planning Association NY Metro Chapter panel (panelist)

October 2018

“Agricultural Pesticides: Who, What, When, Where, Why & What To Do About It”

For: New York City Bar Association panel (moderator)

April 2018

“Five Year Review: Evolving Environmental Law and Advice to ‘Green’ Lawyers,” Alexis Saba

For: The New York Environmental Lawyer, Fall 2017, and Environmental Claims Journal, 2017 Issue 3

July 2017

“Combined Heat and Power’s Potential to Meet New York City’s Sustainability Goals,” Bianca Howard & Alexis Saba et al.,

For: Energy Policy, vol. 65(C), 444–454

2014

“Getting Ahead of the Curve: Supporting Adaptation to Long-term Climate Change and Short-term Climate Variability Alike,” Alexis Saba & Michela Biasutti et al.

For: Carbon and Climate Law Review, 7(1), 3–23

2013

“Evolving Environmental Law and Advice to ‘Green’ Lawyers,” Alexis Saba & John Wood

For: The New York Environmental Lawyer

Summer/Fall 2012

New Proposed Local Law 97 Regulations Include Penalty Mitigation, Electrification, and Enforcement Provisions

On September 12, 2023, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issued proposed regulations to implement Local Law 97 of 2019 (LL97). LL97 requires most large buildings in NYC to meet increasingly stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limits ...

City Planning to Hold Public Hearing on the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality Proposal

On July 26, 2023, the New York City Planning Commission (CPC) will hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning text amendment known as the City of Yes for ...

New York State’s FY 2024 Budget Includes Decarbonization and Renewable Energy Investments But Lacks Gov. Hochul’s Housing Plan

On May 3, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the highlights of the approved Fiscal Year 2024 state budget, including numerous investments in decarbonization programs and renewable energy development. Notably absent from the budget are the elements of Governor Hochul’s ...

NYC Department of Buildings Releases Proposed Local Law 97 Regulations

On October 6, 2022, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issued proposed regulations to implement Local Law 97 of 2019 (LL97).  LL97 requires most large buildings in NYC to meet increasingly stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limits starting in 2024. The proposed ...

New NYS Requirements for Virtual Public Meetings In Effect

  On June 8, 2022, the virtual public meeting requirements adopted in the 2022 New York State budget came into full effect after the expiration of a 60-day transition period from the temporary provisions adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Codified in the New York Public Officers Law (POL) Read More

Building Owners Sue NYC to Challenge Local Law 97

Marking the first legal challenge to NYC Local Law 97 of 2019 (Local Law 97) since its enactment, a group of building cooperatives, residents, shareholders, and a real estate company (Plaintiffs) sued the City of New York, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), and the ...

Cornell Law School, J.D., 2011

Williams College, B.A., 2006, cum laude

New York, 2012

New York State Bar Association, Member

Urban Land Institute, NEXT NY, Co-Chair

New York City Environmental Law Leadership Institute, Graduate and Board of Advisors Member

Riders Alliance, Member and Volunteer