June 05, 2013

Venable victory in challenge to real property tax exemption

1 min

Venable partner Suzanne St. Pierre and associate Lee Weiss won a property tax exemption renewal for the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation


New York partner Suzanne St. Pierre, assisted by New York associate Lee Weiss, successfully defended a challenge to the New York City real property tax exemption of Venable’s pro bono client, the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation. HHRF is a human rights advocate for the 2.5 million ethnic Hungarians who live as minorities in Central Europe.

The New York City Department of Finance questioned HHRF’s eligibility for the property tax exemption. The Department is currently reviewing, and in some cases has revoked, the tax exemptions of policy-oriented non-profits. Ms. St. Pierre and Ms. Weiss submitted a written argument on behalf of HHRF, based on an analysis of existing case law and a review of HHRF’s activities and programs, which resulted in the renewal of the property tax exemption.