Shawn M. Griffin

Shawn Griffin, based in Pittsford, New York, is an attorney at Harris Beach Murtha, focusing on municipal, commercial, and corporate law. He assists clients in both private and public financing transactions. His work emphasizes various commercial and real estate transactions, involving industrial development agencies, urban renewal organizations, local development corporations, land use, zoning, and federal, state, and local incentives. His experience encompasses structured financing, including straight-lease and bond transactions that utilize increment financing and unique incentive structures.

Shawn advises Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) throughout New York State, serving as transaction counsel and frequently acting as general counsel on operational issues, such as compliance, corporate governance, employment matters, and more. He offers guidance on the development of speculative buildings, industrial parks, and infrastructure, as well as litigation and environmental compliance.

He has formulated distinctive structures for increment financing and the use of New Markets Tax Credits and related benefit programs. Shawn specializes in PILOT Increment financing, with district concepts and tailored funding and borrowing structures developed for specific cases.

Previously, Shawn served as bond counsel to the U.S. Virgin Islands, drafting authorizing legislation and overseeing the closure of the first non-housing private activity bond there. His experience includes forming and advising municipal water and sewer districts, acting as counsel for the Seneca County as part of the Seneca Army Depot closure, and advising municipalities on Empire Zones, Empowerment Zones, and development plan strategies using local development corporations and urban renewal agencies. His legal practice also covers utility rate negotiations, electrical infrastructure funding, brownfield redevelopment, and collaborating with federal Economic Development Administration grant programs.