Partner, Albany, New York
111 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210

TEL: 518.462.1800
FAX: 518.462.4875
EMAIL: john.harris@mckennalong.com

PROFILE

John Harris is a partner in the Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs practice in Albany, New York.  His practice focuses on administrative law and government affairs, representing clients before state and local agencies in connection with the regulatory review, permitting, financing and development of projects such as residential apartment complexes, landfills, recycling facilities, asphalt plants, mines, golf courses, office buildings, casinos, shopping centers and electric transmission and generation projects.  John has counseled clients in connection with large hazardous waste remediations, violations of the State’s pesticide regulations, negotiated consent orders with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and assisted with the preparation of applications to DEC for eligibility in New York’s Brownfield Tax Credit Program.

John also works with clients in connection with various legislative initiatives, developing and implementing strategies to achieve public policy objectives, including drafting and monitoring legislation, appropriations initiatives, proposed regulations and agency guidelines.  He has worked with insurers, unions, computer companies, real estate developers, utilities and energy companies on pending legislation and rule making in the State of New York.

John counsels clients on developing bids and proposals for government contracts, and in negotiating and drafting final contract provisions. John’s legislative and procurement experience includes advising clients with respect to lobbying law, state finance law, and ethics issues.

A significant part of John’s practice focuses on counseling clients seeking financial assistance from the Empire State Development Corporation, the New York State Housing Finance Agency, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. 

John has provided advice and counsel to clients on various energy projects and proceedings, including the permitting of both fossil fuel and renewable power generating facilities, the permitting of transmission cable projects, the sale and purchase of regulated assets, and strategies for deploying sources of alternative energy, such as fuel cells.

With a strong background in public finance, John has represented school districts, municipalities, industrial development agencies and other tax-exempt organizations as borrower’s counsel and bond counsel on numerous tax-exempt transactions, including lease purchase agreements and the issuance of tax exempt bonds by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.

John is a current member of the New York State Bar Association, the National Association of Bond Lawyers, and the American Bar Association.  John serves on the Board of Directors of the Albany Local Development Corporation and is a former member of the Board of the Albany Convention Center Authority.