Conservation easements offer landowners a way of realizing personal and financial objectives (preserving open space or working farm land, securing tax deductions, minimizing the impact and enhancing the appeal of development projects).

This program examines the conservation transaction from the point of view of the landowner. It is intended to provide attendees with a useful working introduction to the planning, drafting and administration of conservation easements, with special focus on landowner concerns. It will also give attorneys who have some experience with conservation easements a better grasp of the major components of a conservation transaction, the potential complexities and pitfalls, and where to turn for assistance in dealing with specific issues.

Program Topics

• Conservation Easements Basics

• A Family and Its Options

• Planning for Tax Benefits

• Valuation of Conservation Easements

• Drafting and Recording the Easement Document

• Easement Administration

• Transaction Considerations for Farm Son

• Conservation Development

Program Faculty

Mark C. Pennington, Esq. (Program Co-Chair and Speaker)
Mark C. Pennington LLC
—New York City

George A. Rodenhausen, Esq. (Program Co-Chair and Speaker)
Rapport Meyers LLP
—Rhinebeck

Michael DeWan, MAI 
DeWan and Schott Appraisal Associates, LLC
—Red Hook

John H. Lavelle, Esq.
Lavelle & Finn, LLP
—Latham

Peter R. Paden, Esq.
Executive Director, Columbia Land Conservancy, Inc.
—Chatham

Joel S. Russell, Esq.
Land Use Attorney and Planning Consultant
—Northampton, MA

Total MCLE Credits 8.0
Ethics MCLE Credits 0.0