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Thomas J. Garry

Member

tgarry@harrisbeachmurtha.com
D: (516) 880-8489  
- Long Island, NY Office
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Partner Thomas Garry, Business and Commercial Litigation attorney
Profile
Representative Matters
Resources
Distinctions

Tom, chair of the firm’s Management Committee, is an attorney leader in economic development and public finance on Long Island and across downstate New York. Tom and his team have played key roles in many of the major development projects that have shaped Long Island. He advises clients on major expansion projects in energy, health care and other industries. He and his team also guide hospitals and other health care providers in the creation of new ambulatory care and patient facilities to address changing demographics. He counsels developers seeking approval for windmill energy farms off the shore of Long Island and on other projects tied to New York’s efforts to convert to a zero-carbon grid in the next few decades.

Tom has received many accolades for his work, including being named to the Long Island Business News’ Most Influential Long Islanders of 2025 list and City & State Magazine’s Power 100 List. He’s also been tapped to serve on many influential committees; he currently serves as the chair of the Appellate Division Second Department Judicial Screening Committee, a member of the New York State Judicial Screening Committee and Law chair of the New York State Democratic Committee.
 
Tom represents municipalities and serves as special counsel to many towns and local agencies, providing legal advice on issues such as the development and implementation of master plans, the creation and impact of municipal easements and restrictive covenants, compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act, the creation of planned development districts, zoning overlay zones, transportation issues and smart growth projects. He also represents developers and municipalities in litigation involving matters such as land use and zoning and breach of contract.

Tom is a member of the Harris Beach Murtha Management Committee. He is also managing partner for Harris Beach Murtha’s Long Island office in Uniondale, where he supervises day-to-day operations and the work of more than 40 attorneys and professional staff.

Tom is recognized for his experience in election law and represents clients in New York state courts, including the Appellate Divisions and the Court of Appeals. He served as New York state counsel for each of the past four Democratic nominees for president, and served as an Elector for New York in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. Tom currently serves as the Law Chair to the New York State Democratic Committee.

  • Counsel to Catholic Health advising on economic development projects and land use matters, including an expansion of Good Samaritan Hospital’s patient care pavilion in the Town of Islip, providing strategic consulting on regulatory issues and coordinating activities within the hospital network.
  • Counsel to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on zoning, land use, economic development and environmental matters related to multiple expansion and new development projects, including a new addition to the hospital’s main campus in Oceanside and the construction of a new healthcare facility in the City of Long Beach, in compliance with SEQR guidelines and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation rules and regulations.
  • Represent the County of Suffolk in the largest project under consideration on Long Island, a multiuse, multimodal development known as “Midway Crossing.” The proposed four-phase build out plan will include a private life science campus of over 1.7 million square feet, an intermodal connection between the Long Island Railroad (MTA) Ronkonkoma Rail Station and a new Long Island MacArthur Airport North Terminal to be constructed by the Town of Islip, 300,000 square foot convention center, and a first-class hotel.
  • Served as counsel to Empire State Development for this major commercial and civic development project located on approximately 43 acres at the southern end of the Belmont Park racetrack. The nearly $1.3 billion redevelopment project includes a new 19,000 square foot arena which will serve as the new home for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. Also included in the project will be a retail village, a new hotel with dining and conference facilities, 30,000 square feet of personal office space with affiliated parking, along with open space and community facilities. The representing ESD on PILOT negotiations with affected tax jurisdictions and the developer.
  • Acted as structuring, environmental and overall transaction counsel for numerous projects for the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency including the Superblock development, consisting of related approximately $158,000,000 and $211,000,000 projects, totaling 620,000 square feet of multifamily residential housing and commercial space on an ocean front site that had remained vacant for four (4) decades, as well as the approximately $71,700,000 Amazon.com/Syosset Park development, consisting of 204,175 square feet of warehouse space on a long-vacant brownfield site that had been the subject of numerous litigations and failed redevelopments over the prior three (3) decades.
  • Acted as overall bond counsel and transaction counsel for numerous projects for the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency and the Suffolk County Economic Development Corporation, its sister entity. We have been representing the Suffolk IDA and EDC in connection with complex straight lease transactions as well as revenue bond financings involving a wide range of large private and not-for-profit enterprises undertaking incentivized projects in the areas of health care, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, affordable and market-rate housing, and the provision of a variety of social services.
  • Counsel to the Town of Babylon on Wyandanch Rising, a transit-oriented development project, which involves a unique use of local development corporations, the adoption of a form-based zoning code, issuance of tax-exempt bonds and low income housing tax credits, as well as agreements between the Town and LIRR/MTA concerning the swap of municipal and MTA-owned land in compliance with the Public Authorities Accountability Act and Public Authorities Reform Act.  Tom provides assistance in the selection of the projects’ development teams and negotiation of development agreements with the selected developers.
  • Assisted Community Offshore Wind with various regulatory issues.
  • Served as counsel to the Town of Brookhaven in connection with its applications to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to expand an existing landfill to permit a new ash fill.
  • Counsel to Bay State Wind/Eversource Energy on regulatory and legal issues related to the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority and the potential development and siting of an Off Shore Wind Project.

Political Law

  • Counsel to Vice President Harris’s New York Campaign
  • General Counsel and Law Chair to New York State Democratic Party
Insights
February 2, 2023

Designating Petitions Subject to New Notary Regulations

The Department of State has issued new rules notaries must follow when notarizing documents, including designating petitions.
March 23, 2022

Harris Beach Attorneys to Serve on 2022 Healthcare Forum

Can a robust healthcare sector lead to both explosive economic growth and healthier communities? Don’t miss the chance to hear two Harris Be
June 2, 2020

Long-Term Care Investigations: Critical Steps To Mitigate Risk and Protect Your Residents, Staff and Reputation

As widely reported, Gov. Cuomo has asked the state Department of Health and Attorney General Letitia James to conduct an investigation of th
April 21, 2020

Where Does Health Care Go from Here?

In the blink of an eye our economy was transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care is one of the industries feeling the most strain –
News
August 20, 2026

123 Harris Beach Murtha Lawyers Recognized as 2027 Best Lawyers® Award Recipients; 10 Earn “Lawyer of the Year” Recognition

Best Lawyers honorees are selected through a peer-review process evaluating professional excellence within specific practice areas and geogr
July 20, 2026

Media Outlets Cover Tom Garry’s Management Committee Appointment

“Our growth has been driven by a strong culture, deep commitment to our clients and meaningful engagement in the communities we serve.”
July 15, 2026

Harris Beach Murtha Names Thomas Garry New Leader of Firm’s Management Committee

Tom is a longtime partner and Management Committee member at Harris Beach Murtha and a prominent figure in Long Island economic development.
April 29, 2026

Harris Beach Murtha Real Estate Developers Team Earns Two 2026 LIBN Awards

The awards recognize the region’s most creative and outstanding projects and transactions within the last year.
December 4, 2025

Harris Beach Murtha Plays Key Role in Hospital’s $500 Million Expansion

Partners Tom Garry and John Anzalone provided counsel throughout the design of the patient care pavilion.
October 31, 2025

LIBN Names Partner Tom Garry to Top 100 Long Islanders List

The publication recognizes influential leaders who help ensure Long Island remains a place where businesses thrive and communities flourish.
October 30, 2025

29 Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys Selected to 2025 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Super Lawyers: Rising Stars Lists

Super Lawyers is a nationally recognized professional survey and ranking service of accomplished attorneys.
September 12, 2025

Managing Partner Tom Garry Named to Long Island Business News Law Influencers List

The list recognizes attorneys who exemplify legal excellence, community leadership and commitment to advancing the legal profession in LI.
Events

Thomas Garry Moderating and Brian Ginsberg Speaking at FH Williams Seminar on Becoming a Judge

March 27, 2024
Thomas Garry will moderate a panel and Brian Ginsberg will speak at FH Williams Seminar on Becoming a Judge.

Partner Thomas J. Garry Moderates Franklin H. Williams Commission Seminar on Diversity

April 24, 2023
Thomas J. Garry, managing partner of the Harris Beach Long Island office, moderates Franklin H. Williams Commission Seminar on Diversity

Thomas Garry Moderating FH Williams Discussion at University of Buffalo on Becoming a Judge

April 24, 2023
Tom Garry will present an election law overview and discuss related ethical requirements.

Tom Garry to Moderate and Roy Breitenbach to Present on Long Island Business News Health Care Forum Panel

April 5, 2022
What’s the secret to achieving explosive economic growth while building healthier communities? The answer may lie in a robust healthcare se
External Publications

Professional and Civic

  • Appellate Division Second Department Judicial Screening Committee, chair
  • New York State Democratic Committee, Law chair
  • Nassau Democratic Committee, vice chairman
  • New York State Judicial Screening Committee, member
  • Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, member
  • Nassau County Bar Association, member
  • Catholic Lawyers Guild, member

Recognition

  • Super Lawyers, Land Use/Zoning, since 2020  
  • City and State New York, Long Island Trailblazer, 2025
  • Long Island Business News, Business Influencers Law List, since 2024
  • City & State Magazine Power 100 List, honoree
Admissions
New YorkU.S. District Court, New York - Eastern DistrictU.S. District Court, New York - Northern DistrictU.S. District Court, New York - Southern District
Education

St. John's University School of Law

JD 
1994

St. John's University

BA 
1991

Capabilities

Legal Practices

Member of:

Political Law
Appellate
Business Litigation
Government Compliance and Investigations
Public Finance and Economic Development

Industry Teams

Member of:

Energy
Health Care
Municipalities and Local Agencies
Gaming, Hospitality and Retail
Real Estate Developers
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Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. © 2025 Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC

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Partner Thomas Garry, Business and Commercial Litigation attorney

Thomas J. Garry

Member

tgarry@harrisbeachmurtha.com
Capabilities
People
Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law
Partner Thomas Garry, Business and Commercial Litigation attorney

Thomas J. Garry

tgarry@harrisbeachmurtha.com
D: (516) 880-8489
Long Island, NY Office

Profile

Tom, chair of the firm's Management Committee, is an attorney leader in economic development and public finance on Long Island and across downstate New York. Tom and his team have played key roles in many of the major development projects that have shaped Long Island. He advises clients on major expansion projects in energy, health care and other industries. He and his team also guide hospitals and other health care providers in the creation of new ambulatory care and patient facilities to address changing demographics. He counsels developers seeking approval for windmill energy farms off the shore of Long Island and on other projects tied to New York’s efforts to convert to a zero-carbon grid in the next few decades.

Tom has received many accolades for his work, including being named to the Long Island Business News' Most Influential Long Islanders of 2025 list and City & State Magazine's Power 100 List. He's also been tapped to serve on many influential committees; he currently serves as the chair of the Appellate Division Second Department Judicial Screening Committee, a member of the New York State Judicial Screening Committee and Law chair of the New York State Democratic Committee.
 
Tom represents municipalities and serves as special counsel to many towns and local agencies, providing legal advice on issues such as the development and implementation of master plans, the creation and impact of municipal easements and restrictive covenants, compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act, the creation of planned development districts, zoning overlay zones, transportation issues and smart growth projects. He also represents developers and municipalities in litigation involving matters such as land use and zoning and breach of contract.

Tom is a member of the Harris Beach Murtha Management Committee. He is also managing partner for Harris Beach Murtha's Long Island office in Uniondale, where he supervises day-to-day operations and the work of more than 40 attorneys and professional staff.

Tom is recognized for his experience in election law and represents clients in New York state courts, including the Appellate Divisions and the Court of Appeals. He served as New York state counsel for each of the past four Democratic nominees for president, and served as an Elector for New York in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. Tom currently serves as the Law Chair to the New York State Democratic Committee.

Areas of Expertise

Legal Practices

Member of:

Political Law
Appellate
Business Litigation
Government Compliance and Investigations
Public Finance and Economic Development

Industry Teams

Member of:

Energy
Health Care
Municipalities and Local Agencies
Gaming, Hospitality and Retail
Real Estate Developers

Focuses

Please select listing to show.

Admissions

New YorkU.S. District Court, New York - Eastern DistrictU.S. District Court, New York - Northern DistrictU.S. District Court, New York - Southern District

Representative Matters

  • Counsel to Catholic Health advising on economic development projects and land use matters, including an expansion of Good Samaritan Hospital’s patient care pavilion in the Town of Islip, providing strategic consulting on regulatory issues and coordinating activities within the hospital network.
  • Counsel to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on zoning, land use, economic development and environmental matters related to multiple expansion and new development projects, including a new addition to the hospital’s main campus in Oceanside and the construction of a new healthcare facility in the City of Long Beach, in compliance with SEQR guidelines and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation rules and regulations.
  • Represent the County of Suffolk in the largest project under consideration on Long Island, a multiuse, multimodal development known as “Midway Crossing.” The proposed four-phase build out plan will include a private life science campus of over 1.7 million square feet, an intermodal connection between the Long Island Railroad (MTA) Ronkonkoma Rail Station and a new Long Island MacArthur Airport North Terminal to be constructed by the Town of Islip, 300,000 square foot convention center, and a first-class hotel.
  • Served as counsel to Empire State Development for this major commercial and civic development project located on approximately 43 acres at the southern end of the Belmont Park racetrack. The nearly $1.3 billion redevelopment project includes a new 19,000 square foot arena which will serve as the new home for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. Also included in the project will be a retail village, a new hotel with dining and conference facilities, 30,000 square feet of personal office space with affiliated parking, along with open space and community facilities. The representing ESD on PILOT negotiations with affected tax jurisdictions and the developer.
  • Acted as structuring, environmental and overall transaction counsel for numerous projects for the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency including the Superblock development, consisting of related approximately $158,000,000 and $211,000,000 projects, totaling 620,000 square feet of multifamily residential housing and commercial space on an ocean front site that had remained vacant for four (4) decades, as well as the approximately $71,700,000 Amazon.com/Syosset Park development, consisting of 204,175 square feet of warehouse space on a long-vacant brownfield site that had been the subject of numerous litigations and failed redevelopments over the prior three (3) decades.
  • Acted as overall bond counsel and transaction counsel for numerous projects for the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency and the Suffolk County Economic Development Corporation, its sister entity. We have been representing the Suffolk IDA and EDC in connection with complex straight lease transactions as well as revenue bond financings involving a wide range of large private and not-for-profit enterprises undertaking incentivized projects in the areas of health care, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, affordable and market-rate housing, and the provision of a variety of social services.
  • Counsel to the Town of Babylon on Wyandanch Rising, a transit-oriented development project, which involves a unique use of local development corporations, the adoption of a form-based zoning code, issuance of tax-exempt bonds and low income housing tax credits, as well as agreements between the Town and LIRR/MTA concerning the swap of municipal and MTA-owned land in compliance with the Public Authorities Accountability Act and Public Authorities Reform Act.  Tom provides assistance in the selection of the projects’ development teams and negotiation of development agreements with the selected developers.
  • Assisted Community Offshore Wind with various regulatory issues.
  • Served as counsel to the Town of Brookhaven in connection with its applications to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to expand an existing landfill to permit a new ash fill.
  • Counsel to Bay State Wind/Eversource Energy on regulatory and legal issues related to the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority and the potential development and siting of an Off Shore Wind Project.

Political Law

  • Counsel to Vice President Harris’s New York Campaign
  • General Counsel and Law Chair to New York State Democratic Party

Distinctions

Professional and Civic

  • Appellate Division Second Department Judicial Screening Committee, chair
  • New York State Democratic Committee, Law chair
  • Nassau Democratic Committee, vice chairman
  • New York State Judicial Screening Committee, member
  • Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, member
  • Nassau County Bar Association, member
  • Catholic Lawyers Guild, member

Recognition

  • Super Lawyers, Land Use/Zoning, since 2020  
  • City and State New York, Long Island Trailblazer, 2025
  • Long Island Business News, Business Influencers Law List, since 2024
  • City & State Magazine Power 100 List, honoree
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. © 2026 Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC
Content current as of September 12, 2026 6:58 am