
John Todd Refermat
Lacy Katzen LLP (2007-present)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
- 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
- 2nd Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- United States Court of Federal Claims
- United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Western District of New York
- English: Spoken, Written
- 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
- -
- 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
- Monroe County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Former Member, Litigation Council Current Member, Judiciary Committee (Alternate)
- Real Property Tax Exemption Developments
- Lacy Katzen LLP
- Contesting Home Assessments
- Democrat & Chronicle
- Is Your Property Over Assessed?
- Lacy Katzen LLP
- Fundamentals of Real Property Taxation in New York
- Lacy Katzen LLP
- CLE, Practical Guide to Zoning and Land Use Law, Rochester & Syracuse, New York
- CLE, Rochester, New York
- Rochester Credit Bureau
- Current Legal Perspectives on Upstate Valuation Controversies, Verona, New York
- Upstate Chapter of the Appraisal Institute
- Motion Practice in Federal Courts, CLE, Rochester, New York
- New York State Bar Association
- In Rem Property Tax Foreclosure, Winter Meeting, Saratoga Springs, New York
- County Attorneys Association of the State of New York
- The Latest Developments, Challenges and Opportunities for Counties Using In Rem Foreclosure Under Real Property Tax Law Article 11, County Finance School, Syracuse, New York
- NYS County Treasurers & Finance Officers Association
- Nuts & Bolts of an Article VII Real Property Tax Certiorari Proceeding, Rochester, NY
- Monroe County Bar Association
- Challenging the Right to Take: Case Law and Recent Issues
- Eminent Domain from Start to Finish, Syracuse, NY
- Challenging the Right to Take: Case Law and Recent Issues