Christopher M. Slowik

Professional Experience

Chris’s practice focuses on administrative law and the workings of government agencies, with a deep base of experience in the laws and regulations for the construction, maintenance, and occupancy of buildings in New York City. For twenty years, Chris has helped property owners, design professionals, and members of the building trades navigate the City’s complex regulatory environment.   In recent years, Chris has developed a strong practice in the rapidly developing field of the cannabis law in New York State, by assisting cannabis licensees and license applicants. 

As a litigator, Chris has broad experience in trial and appellate courts, both state and federal.  His cases have included Article 78 challenges to government determinations, including license denials and revocations, Freedom of Information Law matters, and land-use determinations; petitions under Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law §881; adjoining-landowner and construction disputes; and tort, contract, and civil rights matters. 

Chris frequently appears before the NYC Department of Buildings, to assist in obtaining building permits, to obtain pre-consideration for waivers of Building Code or Zoning Resolution requirements, and to defend against disciplinary charges or building-code violations. He prosecutes land use applications at the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals and Department of City Planning. He is deeply versed in the theory and practice of administrative law, having advised his clients on the powers and duties of agencies, overlapping or underlapping jurisdiction, legislative history and rule promulgation, agency investigatory powers and administrative tribunals, and challenges to agency jurisdiction.  He has represented clients before more than fifty administrative agencies, at all levels of government, in all kinds of proceedings, formal and informal.  

Chris negotiates construction license agreements and is experienced in the resolution of difficult property law questions involving easements, party walls, encroachments, adverse possession, deed restrictions and covenants, and equitable servitudes. 

Chris resides in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter, where he plays soccer and competitive backgammon, and is an Elder and former member of Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn.