(July 9, 2026) — The significant inflation in residential housing in New York state has led to dramatic downward changes in equalization rates. Commercial properties have not experienced the same inflation in values as housing, which has led to significant valuation issues across the State and influences payment in lieu of tax agreements. Harris Beach Murtha is getting ahead of this client issue with the hire of an attorney experienced in municipal law, property tax assessment and regulatory compliance to assist the firm with public-private economic development projects.
Senior Counsel Trey Kingston joins the firm’s Public Finance and Economic Development Practice Group to help governments and private entities navigate the complex legal frameworks required to fund large infrastructure projects, spur community growth and secure financial incentives.
Trey and his practice group team represent municipalities, special improvement districts, Industrial Development Agencies and other government entities on some of the largest development projects in New York, New England and around the nation.
Trey’s extensive experience in municipal law, property tax assessment and regulatory compliance helps him develop creative and unique solutions for government entities involved in development projects. His experience includes audits, tax certiorari proceedings, large-scale property assessments, contract drafting, regulatory compliance and public sector governance.
“Trey’s deep experience will be valuable across our public finance, bond counsel, economic incentives, public-private partnerships, special tax districts, real estate and land use matters,” said Shawn M. Griffin, co-leader of the Public Finance and Economic Development Practice Group. “His versatility will help unite business and government leaders to cooperatively and efficiently spur economic growth.”
Trey previously served as the Commissioner of Assessment with the City of Albany, overseeing preparation and maintenance of tentative and final assessment rolls, administering property tax exemptions, maintaining property inventory and ownership records and ensuring regulatory compliance. Through his work as commissioner, the city was recognized as the first assessing unit in the state to digitize and develop electronic means for submitting exemption applications and grievances.
Trey also once served as an attorney with the New York State Division of the Budget and as a legal assistant for an off-track betting corporation.
About Harris Beach Murtha
Harris Beach Murtha formed in 2025 via the combination of Harris Beach PLLC and Murtha Cullina LLP. A forward-thinking and innovative partnership with the benefit of more than 250 years of combined history, Harris Beach Murtha’s New York roots reach back to 1856, and the firm has had ties to New England since 1936. Harris Beach and Murtha Cullina were separately among the country’s top law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal.
Harris Beach Murtha and its subsidiaries have a strong Northeast presence, with a global reach, and represent clients locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, tax-exempt organizations and individuals. The firm’s practice areas and industries served span appellate, artificial intelligence, business litigation, cannabis, commercial real estate, construction, corporate, environmental, energy, financial institutions, financial restructuring, government compliance and investigations, health care, immigration, intellectual property, labor and employment, mass torts, medical and life sciences, political law, product liability, public finance, tax and trusts and estates.
Harris Beach Murtha is the exclusive member firm in Connecticut for Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent firms with in-depth experience in more than 125 countries worldwide. As part of the Lex Mundi global network, Harris Beach Murtha can provide clients with preferred access to more than 22,000 lawyers around the world – all from a single point of contact. Lex Mundi allows Harris Beach Murtha to seamlessly handle clients’ most challenging cross-border transactions and disputes.
The firm’s lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout Connecticut in Bantam, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford; New York state in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Ithaca, Niagara Falls, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Long Island and White Plains, as well as in Boston, Massachusetts and Newark, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.harrisbeachmurtha.com.
