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ATTORNEYS

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David Gordon
Partner

David has practiced environmental and municipal law in the Hudson Valley for over 30 years.  He got his start with Riverkeeper, working to protect the Hudson River and New York City watershed from the effects of development, power plants, and other impacts.  He went on to built a private practice with a unique focus on public advocacy, helping citizen groups speak for the places they care about. 

 

David serves multiple municipalities as a municipal attorney, planning board attorney, and as special counsel on land use matters and environmental policy development.

He has a strong interest in building vibrant communities through smart growth.  He published an article on state smart growth policies:  "New York Begins to Address Smart Growth and Sprawl."

In addition to his legal practice, David volunteers on the board of the Mid-Hudson Bicycle Club.  He has served on his town's Planning Board and Comprehensive Plan Committee as well as the board of the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency.

EDUCATION

  • LLM in Environmental Law, Pace Law School

  • JD, University of Wisconsin Law School

  • BS in Economics, State University of New York at Binghamton

CONTACT

david@gordonsvenson.com

(845) 470-2027 x1

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Emily Svenson
Partner

Emily draws on her legal background as well as experience as an elected town board member to guide municipal boards--including town boards, planning boards and zoning boards of appeals--in governing effectively and making sound land use decisions.  She also represents nonprofits and citizen groups on environmental protection matters. 

Emily is often called on to present educational programs on land use and environmental law topics in the region.  Recent presentations and publications are on our Programs page.

In addition to her legal practice, Emily volunteers as the President of the Hudson River Watershed Alliance and sits on New York State's Hudson River Estuary Management Advisory Council.  She was a founding member of the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council ("Hudson 7").

​​She contributes to the legal community as an Executive Committee member of the New York State Bar Association's Local and State Government Law Section.

EDUCATION

  • JD, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University

    • Concentration in Land Use Law

    • Certificate in Environmental Law

  • BS in Environmental Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

CONTACT

emily@gordonsvenson.com

(845) 470-2027 x2

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© 2025 Gordon & Svenson LLP

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