Attorneys at Law

 

John E. Watkins, Jr. (1944-2022)

John E. Watkins, Jr. represented property owners in tax certiorari proceedings primarily located in the Ninth Judicial District, comprised of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange and Rockland counties.  He litigated valuation and exemption issues as well as selective reassessment in tax certiorari proceedings.

Mr. Watkins also represented property owners and municipalities in condemnation proceedings.  He litigated complex issues concerning title, access, highest and best use and just compensation in condemnation proceedings.

Throughout his career, Mr. Watkins had appeared before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, New York Supreme Court, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court and the New York Court of Claims.

Mr. Watkins was raised in Queens and resided for most of his adult life in the Town of Somers in Westchester County.

Education

Syracuse University College of Law

Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude, 1968

Order of the Coif; Justinian Honorary Law Society

Queens College CUNY

Bachelor of Arts, 1965

Bar Admission

New York 1969

Court Admission

U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1991

Memberships

New York State Bar Association

Yorktown Bar Association

Decisions of note in tax certiorari include:

Matter of Miriam Osborn Mem. Home Assn. v. Assessor of City of Rye, 80 A.D.3d 118 (2d Dep’t 2010)

Matter of Baj LP v. Assessor, Town of Goshen, 2008 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 4115, 240 N.Y.L.J. 1 (Sup Ct. Orange Co. 6/3/08)

Matter of 325 Highland LLC v. Assessor of City of Mount Vernon, 5 Misc.3d 1018(A) (Sup. Ct. West. Co. 11/23/04)

Matter of Stern v. Assessor of City of Rye, 268 A.D.2d 482 (2d Dep’t 2000)

Matter of Cipollone v. City of White Plains, 181 A.D.2d 887 (2d Dep’t 1992)

Matter of Scarborough School Corp. v. Assessor of the Town of Ossining, 97 A.D.2d 476 (2d Dep’t 1983)

Decisions of note in condemnation include:

Matter of Metropolitan Transp. Auth. [Washed Aggregate Resources, Inc.], 102 A.D.3d 787 (2d Dep’t 2013)

Matter of Village of Port Chester [Megamat], 42 A.D.3d 465 (2d Dep’t 2007)

Matter of Village of Port Chester [Martinez], 5 A.D.3d 692 (2d Dep’t 2004)

Didden v. Village of Port Chester [Didden II], 322 F.Supp.2d 385 (2004)

Didden v. Village of Port Chester [Didden I], 304 F. Supp.2d 548 (2004)

Matter of Village of Scarsdale, West Co. Index No. 20401/98 (Mar. 4, 2004)

Matter of Village of Port Chester [Greatest Estate Services], 303 A.D.2d 416 (2d Dep’t 2003)

Matter of City of Mount Vernon Indus. Dev. Agency, 309 A.D.2d 860 (2d Dep’t 2003)

Matter of Village of Port Chester [RDC Realty], 294 A.D.2d 510 (2d Dep’t 2002)

Matter of City of Newburgh [Kirchner], 234 A.D.2d 364 (2d Dep’t 1996)

Chester Litho, Inc. v. Palisades Interstate Park Com., 27 N.Y.2d 323 (1971)