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Alexis
Saba

Associate

Alexis
Saba

Associate

Alexis focuses her practice on environmental and land use law and litigation. Most recently, she has been working with clients to understand and comply with New York State and City climate and building decarbonization requirements such as NYC’s Local Law 97 of 2019, including green leasing, landlord/tenant negotiations, solar/storage development, penalty mitigation, and strategic planning.

Alexis’s general experience includes advising clients on complex, multi-jurisdictional projects such as infrastructure and waterfront developments, including issues with title to lands under water; preparing and facilitating applications for environmental permits, as well as the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program; negotiating resolution of permit violations; assisting clients with environmental due diligence related to real estate financing and development; and defending and prosecuting lawsuits related to environmental liabilities, environmental impact assessments, land use and zoning decisions, and construction matters.

Prior to joining SPR in 2016, Alexis worked in the Litigation group at an international law firm where her practice focused on commercial litigation, government and internal investigations, and pro bono immigration work.  Alexis was also a post-graduate legal fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School.

New York Super Lawyers, Environmental, Rising Star
Best Lawyers®, “Ones To Watch” for Environmental Law

“Local Law 97’s ‘Mediated Resolution’ Clause Gives Too Much Leeway for Exemptions, Lawyers Say,” Contributor

For: City Limits Article by Mariana Simões

February 2024

“An Update on Local Law 97 and the State of Climate Law in New York,” Presenter

For: New York State Bar Association

January 16, 2024

“Climate Mobilization Act Series: The IRA Meets New York,” Panelist

For: Building Energy Exchange (panelist)

January 24, 2023

“Superfund/Brownfield Update 2021: Case Law Update,” Panelist

For: New York State Bar Association (panelist)

December 8, 2021

“Lands Under Water in NYC: Foundation of Waterfront Development,” Co-Presenter

For: Fordham Law School

October 2021

“NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act – Practical Implications and Updates Nearly One Month Away From The First Deadline,” Panelist

For: St. John’s University School of Law (panelist)

May 2021

“Applying for LL97 Adjustments,” Panelist

For: Building Energy Exchange (panelist)

May 2021

“Preparing for Carbon Emission Limits under NYC Local Law 97,” Panelist

For: HalfMoon Education, Inc. (panelist)

January 2021

“Maximizing Property Values Through Onsite Solar,” Panelist

For: Fall 2020 Webinar Series with SPR and Crauderueff Solar (panelist)

November 2020

“NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act – Practical Implications with Less Than Nine Months to the First Deadlines,” Panelist

For: New York State Bar Association, Environment and Energy Law Section Fall Meeting (panelist)

October 2020

“Optimizing Your New Roof’s Value: Local Law 92/94 Opportunities,” Panelist

For: Webinar Hosted by SPR and Crauderueff Solar (panelist)

April 2020

“Local Law 97 – Legal, Technical and Financial Risks Uncovered,” Panelist

For: Seminar Hosted by SPR and RENEW Energy Partners (panelist)

March 2020

“WISE Tackles the Climate Mobilization Act,” Panelist

For: Building Energy Exchange panel (panelist)

October 2019

“SPR Attorneys Explain the NYC Buildings Emissions Law,” Co-Presenter

For: SPR Webinar

August 2019

“The Climate Mobilization Act – How It Affects You (And How PACE Can Help),” Panelist

For: Duval & Stachenfeld LLP panel (panelist)

July 2019

“Looking Forward and Looking Back: The Path to Deep Emissions Reductions in New York City’s Buildings,” Moderator

For: New York City Bar Association panel (moderator)

May 2019

“Land Under Water in NYC: What It Is & Why It Matters,” Panelist

For: American Planning Association NY Metro Chapter panel (panelist)

October 2018

“Agricultural Pesticides: Who, What, When, Where, Why & What To Do About It,” Moderator

For: New York City Bar Association panel (moderator)

April 2018

“Five Year Review: Evolving Environmental Law and Advice to ‘Green’ Lawyers”

For: The New York Environmental Lawyer, Fall 2017, and Environmental Claims Journal, 2017 Issue 3

July 2017

“Combined Heat and Power’s Potential to Meet New York City’s Sustainability Goals,” Co-Author

For: Energy Policy, vol. 65(C), 444–454; Co-Author(s): Alexis Saba et al., Bianca Howard

2014

“Getting Ahead of the Curve: Supporting Adaptation to Long-term Climate Change and Short-term Climate Variability Alike,” Co-Author

For: Carbon and Climate Law Review, 7(1), 3–23; Co-Author(s): Michela Biasutti et al.

2013

“Evolving Environmental Law and Advice to ‘Green’ Lawyers,” Co-Author

For: The New York Environmental Lawyer; Co-Author(s): John Wood

Summer/Fall 2012

Covered New Jersey Buildings Must Meet New Benchmarking Requirement By December 31

December 31, 2023 marks the final deadline for compliance with the first year of New Jersey’s building energy and water benchmarking law. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) issued an order in compliance with the New Jersey Clean Energy Act of 2018

2023 Update on Federal and New York City Lead-Based Paint Laws

This year has seen notable changes and clarifications to Federal and New York City lead-based paint standards for residential properties. These provisions relate to lead paint investigations, testing, remediation, and penalties that may impact compliance planning for building owners and managers. Because these legal changes were adopted after SPR’s ...

New York Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to Local Law 97

On October 30, 2023, the New York Supreme Court, New York County dismissed a significant legal challenge to New York City’s building emissions law, Local Law 97 of 2019. The decision provides clarity to the NYC real estate community that Local Law 97 is valid, enforceable, and constitutional. The law’s greenhouse gas (GHG) ...

New Proposed Local Law 97 Regulations Include Penalty Mitigation, Electrification, and Enforcement Provisions

On September 12, 2023, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issued proposed regulations to implement Local Law 97 of 2019 (LL97). LL97 requires most large buildings in NYC to meet increasingly stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limits ...

City Planning to Hold Public Hearing on the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality Proposal

On July 26, 2023, the New York City Planning Commission (CPC) will hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning text amendment known as the City of Yes for ...

New York State’s FY 2024 Budget Includes Decarbonization and Renewable Energy Investments But Lacks Gov. Hochul’s Housing Plan

On May 3, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the highlights of the approved Fiscal Year 2024 state budget, including numerous investments in decarbonization programs and renewable energy development. Notably absent from the budget are the elements of Governor Hochul’s ...

Cornell Law School, J.D., 2011

Williams College, B.A., 2006, cum laude

New York, 2012

New York State Bar Association, Member

Urban Land Institute, NEXT NY, Co-Chair

New York City Environmental Law Leadership Institute, Graduate and Board of Advisors Member

Riders Alliance, Member and Volunteer