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-1970s, 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 1970s, 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 retired in 2020, was on the forefront of land use and zoning issues 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.
1998
Catherine Andreycak (July 3, 1957 – March 6, 2017) joined the firm in 1998, bringing a wealth of experience in real estate, corporate and commercial law. Cathy was an integral part of the team for almost 20 years.
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.
2022
2022 marks Hollis Laidlaw & Simon’s 50th anniversary. On this milestone, we reflect on our proud history and lasting success. Our evolution into a thriving full-service firm – comprising a new generation of talented lawyers, robust practice areas like trusts & estates, expanded practices in land use & zoning, corporate, real estate, litigation & dispute resolution, guardianship, and employment – can be attributed to our dedication to our founders’ original principles.
Today
While Hollis Laidlaw & Simon has 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.
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-1970s, 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 1970s, 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 retired in 2020, was on the forefront of land use and zoning issues 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.
1998
Catherine Andreycak (July 3, 1957 – March 6, 2017) joined the firm in 1998, bringing a wealth of experience in real estate, corporate and commercial law. Cathy was an integral part of the team for almost 20 years.
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, who now serves as Managing Partner, 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.
2022
2022 marks Hollis Laidlaw & Simon’s 50th anniversary. On this milestone, we reflect on our proud history and lasting success. Our evolution into a thriving full-service firm – comprising a new generation of talented lawyers, robust practice areas like trusts & estates, expanded practices in land use & zoning, corporate, real estate, litigation & dispute resolution, guardianship, and employment – can be attributed to our dedication to our founders’ original principles.
Today
While Hollis Laidlaw & Simon has 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.
