FDT’s Atkins named chair of tax certiorari committee and Curto as village lawyer

Uniondale, NY Douglas Atkins, partner at Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP, has been appointed chair of The Nassau County Bar Association’s tax certiorari committee. Also, Andrea Tsoukalas Curto, partner of Forchelli Deegan Terrana, was appointed village attorney for the villages of Lake Success, Kensington, and Russell Gardens.

Atkins concentrates his practice in the specialty area of property tax refund and reduction, commonly known as tax certiorari. He has extensive experience in property tax reduction proceedings for all types of commercial real estate throughout NYS. He has handled complex cases for specialty properties such as golf courses, cellular towers, self-storage facilities, nursing homes, and condominium communities. Atkins also regularly advises property owners and municipalities on the negotiation and tax impact of Industrial Development Agency PILOT agreements.

He is a frequent lecturer and writer on the topics of commercial property tax and valuation. He has been published in the New York Real Estate Journal, the New York Law Journal, the Suffolk County Lawyer, and various local publications.

For his accomplishments and achievements in the business community, he was selected as one of Long Island’s top 30 young professionals by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce in 2010. Since 2011, he has been annually selected as a New York SuperLawyers Rising Star. The Long Island Business News awarded him with both the Leadership in Law Award and the Long Island 40-Under-40 Award. Most recently, the Real Estate Weekly publication named him a Rising Star in Real Estate.

Tsoukalas Curto is a land use and zoning attorney and co-chair of the renewable energy practice group.  Tsoukalas Curto concentrates her practice in zoning, land use, environmental, and municipal law matters. She represents a variety of clients in the development of commercial and residential properties. Her practice is unique as she represents both applicants and municipalities.

Tsoukalas Curto was recognized by the Long Island Business News with its 40 Under 40 award. She was listed by the same publication as a “Who’s Who in Women in Professional Services.” The Queens Courier presented her with its “Top Women in Business Award,” and was also honored with the “Long Island Power Women Award,” by The Long Island Press. Most recently, she was named Executive of the Month by the New York Real Estate Journal.