Firm History
An Attorney for the People
1971
Stuart R. Shamberg (April 4, 1926 – January 1, 2017) founded his Northern Westchester law practice in 1971. With a background in construction, Mr. Shamberg represented builders at a time when Westchester County was rapidly growing and developing, and he soon became known as a respected land use attorney. In the mid-1970’s, Mr. Shamberg partnered with Martin Bender to become Shamberg & Bender. The firm was instrumental in effecting progressive changes to land use law in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley.
1977
Mr. Shamberg served as lead counsel in the 1977 landmark case, Berenson v. Town of New Castle, which allowed the development of 3,500 multifamily housing units in New Castle and eliminated exclusionary zoning in the State of New York. Both The New York Times and The Patent Trader ran editorials celebrating this decision. At the time, Mr. Shamberg was quoted as saying, “I don’t think Northern Westchester should be a private country club based on zoning.”
The Firm Evolves
1979
In the late 1970’s, with the addition of John Marwell, the firm became Shamberg, Bender & Marwell, and their reputation as the law firm to commercial developers continued to grow. The partners handled many large scale zoning projects and litigations that brought prominence to the firm. Mr. Marwell, who today serves as Partner Emeritus, was on the forefront of issues surrounding land use and zoning and advocated strongly for the development of affordable housing in the region.
1990
The firm evolved over the years, and in 1990, Dan Hollis joined the team. A skilled litigator, Mr. Hollis not only enhanced the land use and zoning practice, but also brought a deep knowledge of complex corporation and real estate operations, as well as estate and guardianship matters.
2014
In 2014, Moira Laidlaw merged her successful Laidlaw Firm, which she founded in 2002, with Shamberg Marwell, broadening the firm’s range with her distinguished trusts and estates practice. Ms. Laidlaw holds the rare distinction of being a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA).
2018
David Simon joined in 2018, bringing a practice that serves clients in Westchester and Putnam counties, New York City and abroad. His corporate and employment law experience, in addition to his foundation in litigation and background as an analyst with Lehman Brothers, rounded out the team’s capabilities.
Today
Hollis Laidlaw & Simon is now 14 attorneys strong, and while we have expanded beyond our origins as a prominent land use firm, we are still as committed to excellence and the highest ethical standards as our original firm partners once were. As Mr. Shamberg used to say, “Buy brains,” and we are extremely proud of the intelligence and outstanding abilities of each of our attorneys and support staff.
Today
Hollis Laidlaw & Simon P.C. is now 15 attorneys strong, and while we have expanded beyond our origins as a prominent land use firm, we are still as committed to excellence and the highest ethical standards as our original firm partners once were. As Mr. Shamberg used to say, “Buy brains,” and we are proud of the intelligence and outstanding abilities of our attorneys.
An Attorney for the People
1971
Hollis Laidlaw & Simon P.C. was founded in 1971 by Stuart R. Shamberg (April 4, 1926 – January 1, 2017) as a Northern Westchester practice with an emphasis on land use and litigation. With a background in construction, Mr. Shamberg represented builders at a time when Westchester County was rapidly growing and developing, and he soon became known as a respected land use attorney. In the mid-1970’s, Mr. Shamberg partnered with Martin Bender to become Shamberg & Bender. The firm was instrumental in effecting progressive changes to land use law in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley.
1977
Mr. Shamberg served as lead counsel in the 1977 landmark case, Berenson v. Town of New Castle, which allowed the development of 3,500 multifamily housing units in New Castle and eliminated exclusionary zoning in the State of New York. Both The New York Times and The Patent Trader ran editorials celebrating this decision. At the time, Mr. Shamberg was quoted as saying, “I don’t think Northern Westchester should be a private country club based on zoning.”
The Firm Evolves
1979
In the late 1970’s, with the addition of John Marwell, the firm became Shamberg, Bender & Marwell, and their reputation as the law firm to commercial developers continued to grow. The partners handled many large scale zoning projects and litigations that brought prominence to the firm. Mr. Marwell, who today serves as Partner Emeritus, was on the forefront of issues surrounding land use and zoning and advocated strongly for the development of affordable housing in the region.
1990
The firm evolved over the years, and in 1990, Dan Hollis joined the team. A skilled litigator, Mr. Hollis not only enhanced the land use and zoning practice, but also brought a deep knowledge of complex corporation and real estate operations, as well as estate and guardianship matters.
2014
In 2014, Moira Laidlaw merged her successful Laidlaw Firm, which she founded in 2002, with Shamberg Marwell, broadening the firm’s range with her distinguished trusts and estates practice. Ms. Laidlaw, who holds the rare distinction of being a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), now serves as Managing Partner.
2018
David Simon joined in 2018, bringing a practice that serves clients in Westchester and Putnam counties, New York City and abroad. His corporate and employment law experience, in addition to his foundation in litigation and background as an analyst with Lehman Brothers, rounded out the team’s capabilities.
Today
Hollis Laidlaw & Simon is now 14 attorneys strong, and while we have expanded beyond our origins as a prominent land use firm, we are still as committed to excellence and the highest ethical standards as our original firm partners once were. As Mr. Shamberg used to say, “Buy brains,” and we are extremely proud of the intelligence and outstanding abilities of each of our attorneys and support staff.
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