Sonya S. VanBortel

Sonya S. VanBortel is an associate in the firm and practices primarily in real estate law, land use and municipal law, landlord/tenant law, labor law and litigation. She also handles vehicle and traffic matters on a regular basis. Ms. VanBortel currently serves as Attorney for the Town of Greenport as well as planning board attorney for the Town of Greenport. Ms. VanBortel received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Siena College, in Loudonville, New York in 2003 and her J.D., cum laude, from Albany Law School of Union University in 2006. She is admitted to the practice of law in New York and New Jersey as well as the United States District Court, Northern District of New York.

During law school, Ms. VanBortel interned with the Albany Law School Domestic Violence Law Project, Family Violence Unit where she successfully represent victims of domestic violence in custody and support proceedings. In addition, Ms. VanBortel interned with the Albany County District Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of New York. While at Albany Law, Ms. VanBortel was Director of the Albany Law School Moot Court Board and Senior Editor on the Albany Law Review. She is a Pupil Member of the American Inns of Court, Chapter 31 and The Justinian Society. Ms. VanBortel is the recipient of the Order of the Barristers Award.

Ms. VanBortel is a member of the Columbia County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the Albany County Bar Association. She is also Co-Chair of the ACBA's Young Lawyers Committee Section. Ms. VanBortel is an Assistant Coach of the Siena College Mock Trial Team and an active member of the Emma Willard School Alumnae Association Council. Ms. VanBortel has lectured on the topic of regulatory taking and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA).

Ms. VanBortel was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and immigrated to the United States in 1987. She speaks fluent Russian.