Appellate Division Grants Zarin & Steinmetz Client Leave to File Amicus Brief

We are pleased to report that the Appellate Division, Third Department has granted Z&S’s motion for leave to file an amici curiae brief on behalf of a coalition of local businesses and property owners in the Town of Pound Ridge in Matter of Simons v. New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. 

An amici curiae brief is one offered by a non-party to the case who wishes to be heard and provide an outside opinion to the Court—and it is up to the Court’s discretion whether to accept it. The Court’s October 13, 2026 Decision and Order accepted Z&S’s amici brief for in the pending appeal.

The appeal was initially brought by a Pound Ridge resident who is challenging and seeking to annul a monetary grant the NYS EFC awarded the Town. That grant was meant to go towards a major public water infrastructure project designed to address documented PFAS or “forever chemical” contaminants in the existing well water supply.

Brad Schwartz and Lee Lefkowitz were approached and retained by a group of Pound Ridge stakeholders (the amici) who are concerned about the safety of their contaminated water and support the project. Z&S’s brief provides the Court with the perspective of these parties who would be benefitted should the grant be upheld and the project move ahead.