CONTACT ME

Tel: 845-764-9656
EMAIL ME

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Land Use Applications
Residential Subdivision
Commercial and Industrial Site Plan
Multi-Family Residential Affordable Housing
Senior Citizen Projects
Sustainable Development
SEQRA Compliance
Regulatory Compliance
Endangered Species Act Compliance
SHPO Review and Compliance
Municipal Law
Planning and Zoning including representation of Planning Boards, Zoning Boards of Appeal and Comprehensive Plan Committees
Real Estate Law

Mr. Cappello is a partner and has been with the firm since 1988.  His primary areas of practice are land use and municipal law. Mr. Cappello represents private developers in multi-phase and large-scale commercial, residential, educational, and mixed-use land use applications. He serves as attorney for planning boards and zoning boards of appeals throughout the Hudson Valley. John is the lead partner in J&G Law’ “Green Team,” which focuses on advising a wide array of clients (municipalities, developers, manufacturers and businesses both small and large) on the opportunities available in this emerging field of law. John has made several presentations on a variety of zoning and land use issues throughout the state, focusing on providing diverse and equitable housing opportunities, encouraging sustainable development, navigating the land use approval process, and promoting and regulating solar energy and other alternative energy systems.

John serves as Co-Chair of New York State Bar Association Local and State Government Law Section Committee on Land Use, Green Development and Environmental Law Committee.

Active in several charitable and civic organizations, John is former President of Orange County’s Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc. (RECAP), Trustee for the Josephine Louise Public Library and O+ Festival Board Member. John also has served as vice-president of Mid-Hudson Habitat for Humanity. John also completed a marathon for the Leukemia Society Team. John also serves on the Pattern for Progress Affordable Housing Committee.  John is a recipient of a 2015 Orange County Human Rights Commission Award.

Visit our Going Green Page here.

Visit our Housing the Hudson Valley Page here.

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • New York, 1987
  • California, 1986

EDUCATION

  • Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California
    • J.D. – 1985
  • State University of New York at Buffalo, New York
    • B.A. – 1981

PRESENTATIONS, LECTURES, AND PUBLISHED WORK

Visit our Green Page under Resources.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

  • New York State Municipal Bar Association
  • Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, The Fellows Program, Class of 2009 – 2010
  • New York State Bar Association, Co-Chair – Local and State Government Law Section and Land Use
  • New York State Green Development and Environment Committee

PRO BONO ACTIVITIES

  • Josephine-Louise Public Library Board of Trustees, 2009 – Present
  • Regional Economic Community Action Program (RECAP), President, 2014 – 2019
  • Regional Economic Community Action Program, Board of Directors, 2007 – 2020
  • O+, Board of Directors, 2007-Present
  • Patterns for Progress, Affordable Housing Committee