Howard Protter
Of Counsel
- Municipal Law Attorney
Howard has served as Attorney for the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson (1982–2008), Town Counsel for Tuxedo since 1996, and currently serves as Village Attorney for Kiryas Joel and Town Attorney for Palm Tree. As a leading municipal law attorney, he represents municipalities across Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, and Putnam counties in areas such as labor relations, disciplinary proceedings, land use, environmental law, and general municipal litigation.
Insight and Strategic Thinking
Known for his legal insight and strategic thinking, Howard is a go-to resource for municipal officials and attorneys seeking seasoned guidance in local government law. His practical knowledge and counsel have shaped community planning, labor negotiations, and land preservation efforts throughout the region.
In addition to municipal law, Howard maintains a diverse legal practice that includes business, international, and intellectual property law. He has represented clients in cross-border commercial transactions in the U.S., Netherlands, Italy, the U.K., and France. He regularly assists small businesses and individuals with real estate transactions, leasing, and commercial negotiations.
A Leader in Land Conservation
Howard has partnered with land trusts and property owners to protect farmland and natural habitats across the Hudson Valley.
Areas of Practice
- Municipal Law
- Business Law and Litigation
- Commercial and Real Estate Transactions
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Guardianships and Receiverships
- Intellectual Property
- Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
- International Business Transactions
Contact Howard
Bar Admissions
- New York, 1981
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1982
- U.S. District Court Northern District of New York, 1982
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 1982
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 1994
- U.S. Court of International Trade, 1997
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2004
Education
- New York Law School, New York, New York
- J.D. – 1980
- State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, New York
- B.A. – 1976
Professional Associations and Memberships
- New York State Bar Association Committee on Mass Disaster Response, Vice President, June 1, 2020
- New York State Bar Association House of Delegates, Past Member, Delegate
- New York State Bar Association, Municipal Law Section, Immediate Past Chairman, Executive Committee
- Orange County Bar Association, Past Chairman, Municipal Law Committee
- Orange County Bar Association, Ethics Committee
- AWWA Research Foundation, Member
- American Bar Association Local Government Law Ethics Committee, Member (past)
- American Water Works Association, Member (past)
Pro Bono Activities
- Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, General Counsel (Past President, Past Vice President)
- Claire J. Hoyt Memorial Foundation, Director
- Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, Advisory Board Member
- Orange County Citizens Foundation, Trustee, 2009-2014
- Orange County Land Trust, Vice President, 2012-2014
- Orange County Land Trust, Board Member, 2008-2014
- Builders Association of The Hudson Valley, Education Committee Member (past)
- Orange Regional Medical Center Foundation (past)
Of Counsel
