John Todd Refermat

John Refermat is an experienced, AV rated trial lawyer whose practice includes complex civil and commercial litigation, real property tax certiorari/condemnation/eminent domain, zoning and municipal/land use litigation, environmental matters, securities arbitration and construction litigation. An experienced appellate advocate, John has successfully prepared and argued appeals before various departments of the New York State Appellate Division and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. John’s commercial litigation practice includes a wide variety of shareholder/partner/limited liability entity disputes, contested dissolutions, trademark, licensing, unfair competition, warranty and Uniform Commercial Code issues, and restrictive covenants/non-compete/solicitation agreements; he also has experience with international trade/commerce. John has an expansive practice representing property owners, school districts and municipalities in a wide range of real property assessment matters, including energy generation and emissions credits, and issues involving tax exemptions and unique properties. He previously served as General Counsel to the Binghamton Housing Authority, Counsel to the Broome County Republican Committee, Special Counsel to New York State Senator Thomas W. Libous, and Treasurer of the Monroe County Republican Committee. John co-led Lacy Katzen's Culture Initiative that transformed the firm’s culture and resulted in our designation, based on a survey conducted by Workplace Dynamics for the Democrat & Chronicle, as a Top 100 Workplace. John is rated as “AV” or “Preeminent” by Martindale Hubbell and Best Lawyers for legal ability and ethical standards.

Employment Law

Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination

• Free Consultation
  Initially by phone
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees
  For certain cases
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Hybrid/alternative fee arrangements are also available for certain cases.

New York

Since 1997

2nd Circuit

Since 1998

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 2005

United States Court of Federal Claims

Since 2005

United States District Court for the Northern District of New York

Since 1997

United States District Court for the Western District of New York

Since 1998

Partner

Lacy Katzen LLP (2007-present)

Current

Associate Attorney

Harris Beach PLLC (1999-2007)

Current

Associate Attorney

Chernin & Gold LLP, now Levene Gouldin & Thompson LLP (1996-1999)

Current

University Of Notre Dame

Hamilton College

B.A. | Economics Major, Government Minor

1987 - 1991

Honors: Pentagon Senior Honor Society Delivered Commencement Address

Activities: Delta Phi Fraternity (Chi Chapter) Semester in Washington, D.C. (Junior Year)

Special Service Award

United States District Court for the Western District of New York

2004

Monroe County Bar Association

Member

1999 - Current

Activities: Former Member, Litigation Council Current Member, Judiciary Committee (Alternate)

Real Property Tax Exemption Developments

Lacy Katzen LLP

2013

Contesting Home Assessments

Democrat & Chronicle

2012

Is Your Property Over Assessed?

Lacy Katzen LLP

2009

Fundamentals of Real Property Taxation in New York

Lacy Katzen LLP

2008

CLE, Practical Guide to Zoning and Land Use Law, Rochester & Syracuse, New York

February 10, 2011

CLE, Rochester, New York

November 7, 2008

Rochester Credit Bureau

Current Legal Perspectives on Upstate Valuation Controversies, Verona, New York

June 3, 2011

Upstate Chapter of the Appraisal Institute

Motion Practice in Federal Courts, CLE, Rochester, New York

December 4, 2013

New York State Bar Association

In Rem Property Tax Foreclosure, Winter Meeting, Saratoga Springs, New York

December 8, 2014

County Attorneys Association of the State of New York