Brett T. Williams is a litigator and transactional attorney and Of Counsel to Toporowski Law, PLLC. A former Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City of Albany with more than a decade of experience, he represents property owners — from homeowners to businesses — and municipalities across New York in property tax assessment challenges (tax certiorari), commercial and real estate disputes, and municipal matters.
He has litigated hundreds of tax certiorari challenges — for properties ranging from single-family homes to nuclear power plants, on both the owner and municipal side — has appeared in more than 80 courts across New York State, and guides individuals and businesses through residential and commercial real estate transactions from contract to closing.
Property tax and tax certiorari
Brett has litigated hundreds of property tax assessment challenges — tax certiorari matters — for virtually every type of property, from single-family homes to nuclear power plants, representing both property owners seeking fair assessments and municipalities defending them. That experience on both sides gives him an unusual read on how these cases are valued, negotiated, and tried.
Commercial and real estate
He handles commercial and real estate disputes for plaintiffs and defendants and guides individuals and businesses through residential and commercial real estate transactions from contract to closing.
Municipal experience
As Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City of Albany, Brett advised the Common Council, drafted dozens of pieces of legislation, helped shape municipal policy, and defended the City in litigation — experience that informs how he both represents municipalities and holds government accountable for clients on the other side. He earlier practiced at E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy, LLP, and founded the Law Office of Brett T. Williams, PLLC.
Practice Areas
- Property Tax / Tax Certiorari
- Commercial Disputes
- Real Estate Litigation & Transactions
- Municipal Law
Education
- Albany Law School, J.D. (Associate Editor, Albany Law School Journal of Science & Technology)
- State University of New York at Plattsburgh, B.A. in History, magna cum laude (two terms as a Visiting Student, University of Oxford)
Bar & Court Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York (NDNY)
Personal
Brett lives in the Capital Region with his wife and two children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Brett T. Williams focus on?
Property tax assessment challenges (tax certiorari), commercial and real estate disputes, real estate transactions, and municipal law — for property owners, businesses, and municipalities across New York.
Does he represent both property owners and municipalities?
Yes. Brett has represented both property owners challenging assessments and municipalities defending them, which gives him insight into how each side approaches a case.
