John L. Bourquin focuses his practice on land use, zoning, and municipal law. He represents clients before various planning boards, zoning boards of appeals, architectural review boards, and boards of historic preservation across Suffolk County.
John has provided counsel to several municipalities, including the Villages of Southampton, Shoreham, Sagaponack, Port Jefferson and Patchogue. He has serveed as counsel to the Village of Southampton Planning Board and the Village of Sagaponack Architectural and Historic Review Board. In these roles, he advised on complex land use, zoning, and preservation matters
In addition to his municipal work, John represents private clients in front of various municipal agencies and handles civil litigation related to real estate and land use issues. His practice encompasses a wide range of matters, from zoning applications to historic preservation concerns.
Mr. Bourquin is admitted to the state bars of New York and Connecticut.
Concentrations
• Representation before planning boards and zoning boards of appeals to obtain variances, site plans, special exception permits, and subdivisions.
• Negotiations with municipal attorneys and officials regarding the terms of covenants and restrictions, easements, road abandonments, and final conditional approvals.
• Representation of both municipalities and private clients in bringing and defending litigation matters in the New York State Supreme Court and Appellate Division, Second Department, including Article 78 proceedings.
• Conduct of extensive research of the history and uses of real property to support land use applications and litigation.
Experience
Representative Matters
• Obtained variances for a northeastern bank for elements of a commercial buildout of a regional headquarters. °
• Represented a major equestrian facility in obtaining amendments to its existing special exception permit. °
• Completed several real property subdivisions between two and nine lots, including presentations before planning boards and negotiating covenants and restrictions, easements and other items incident to approval with local planning boards and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. °
• Defended the Village of Southampton in an Article 78 proceeding regarding denial of a subdivision application. °
• Consulted with mayors, planning boards, zoning boards of appeal, and architectural and historic review boards for various incorporated villages regarding compliance with village code and the New York State Village Law. °
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Bourquin prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Government Experience
• Counsel, Village of Southampton Planning Board, 2023- 2025
• Counsel, Village of Sagaponack Architectural and Historic Review Board, 2022-2025
Internships
• Intern, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Economic Crimes Division, 2014
Recognition & Leadership
Professional & Community Involvement
• Member, New York State Bar Association, 2019-Present
• Member, Suffolk County Bar Association, 2019-Present
