Background and Practice Areas

M. Elizabeth Clark (“Libby”) provides counsel and consulting services to individuals, regional businesses, and international corporations in the real estate and construction industries. She is currently General Counsel to Bonacio Construction, Inc., in addition to operating her boutique private practice for clients who need expertise in zoning, planning, and real property development; complex commercial and real estate transactions; land use and SEQRA actions. Over the last 17 years, Ms. Clark has acted as land use counsel to some of the largest economic and real estate development projects in the Capital and Mohawk Valley regions of New York State.

Libby is also a long-time advocate and speaker on the issue of attorney well-being – having recently served as the New York State Bar Association’s Co-Chair for the Attorney Wellbeing Task Force. She is also a workshop leaders, regular speaker and podcast host concerning the issues facing her profession. For more information on attorney wellbeing, click here.

Why Libby?

Libby prides herself on authenticity and her directness and honesty establish an immediate bond of trust with clients. She brings an attitude of creative problem solving to land development challenges and she has the tenacity to see things through in the most complex, pressured regulatory scenarios. Her collaborative style pairs the art of persuasion with political poise and she assists her clients in achieving the approvals they need to keep real estate projects on track. The relationships she builds on this foundation increase in value to her clients over time.

With years of development, construction, and real estate industry experience, Libby works alongside clients to craft persuasive messages, coupled with astute legal analysis, that demonstrate to decision makers and the public the positive impact of her clients’ project. She seamlessly manages relationships among professionals, the press, and governing entities over any real estate development issue. From site selection to the approval process to public/private financing, Libby is well suited to provide comprehensively counsel for the entirety of a project’s lifecycle and far beyond it.

Education

J.D., Albany Law School of Union University, cum laude (2003)
B.A., University of Kentucky, History (2000)
Emma Willard School (1995)

Admissions

State of New York (2004)
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York (2004)

Recent Presentations

Workplace Wellbeing: The Future of Work Series (WMHT/PBS Television, 2021)
Rehumanizing Organizations through Employee Wellbeing (Albany Law School, 2021)
Finding the Compassion Balance: Mindful Lawyering and Vicarious Trauma (NYSBA CLE 2020)
Mindful Lawyering in Challenging Times (NYSBA CLE 2020)
Managing Difficult Conversations (NYSBA Women on the Move 2017)
Empowered Conversations (Northeast NY Employee Assistance Professionals Association 2016)
Mindful Practice, Mindful Life, (NYSBA, LAP Annual Retreat 2015)
Mindful Leadership, Leadership Saratoga, Saratoga Springs (annually since 2013)

Affiliations

New York State Bar Association, Inaugural Co-Chair of Attorney Wellbeing Committee (2022 to present)
Saratoga County Bar Association, Chair Lawyers Assistance Committee (2018 to present); former President (2016-17);
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Board Member (2022 to present)

Recognition

Saratoga TODAY™ Women of Influence, Honoree (2016)