Attorneys

About

Scott R. Kurkoski is a Partner in Hinman, Howard & Kattell Binghamton office. Mr. Kurkoski is a Member of the Energy Law, Business, Corporate and Securities, Real Estate, Litigation, and Appellate Practice Groups. Scott’s practice focuses on energy law (solar, wind, battery storage, oil, gas and mineral transactions, and pipelines), commercial litigation, real estate and business transactions, real estate litigation and mortgage foreclosure. Mr. Kurkoski is a frequent speaker on many energy law topics, including solar and other renewable energy projects. Scott is recognized by New York Super Lawyers and AV Preeminent Martindale Hubbell for his contribution to the field.

Professional Background and Speaking Engagements

  • Certified Professional Minerals & Royalty Asset Manager – National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO)
  • Cornell University Solar Advisory Board Member, Center for Conservation Social Sciences, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment
  • Municipal Issues in Solar Leasing, Speaker, Cornell Cooperative Extension, July 12, 2023
  • Legal Aspects of Utility Scale Solar Leases, Negotiating Option and Lease Agreements, Speaker to the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, November 18, 2022
  • Solar Leasing, Speaker to Cornell Cooperative Extension, November 16, 2022
  • Open Solar Q&A to Penn State Cooperative Extension Solar Leasing Series, August 23, 2022
  • Leasing Your Land For Solar Energy Development, Speaker to the Penn State Cooperative Extension, July 12, 2022
  • Solar Leasing Questions & Answers, Speaker to the Penn State Cooperative Extension, March 23, 2022
  • Understanding Solar Lease Agreements & Tips for Negotiating a Contract, Speaker to the Penn State Cooperative Extension, February 24, 2022

Read More

 

  • Understanding Solar Lease Agreements & Tips for Negotiating a Contract, Speaker to the Cornell Cooperative Extension Solar Development Program for Landowners, October 26, 2021
  • Energy in New York, Speaker to the Warren County Bar Association CLE Program, February 12, 2020
  • Hemp Growing Contracts, Speaker at Cornell Cooperative Extension, February 6, 2020
  • Energy Law Update – Wind, Solar, Oil & Gas and Pipelines, Speaker to the Broome County Bar Association CLE Program, July 11, 2019
  • Energy Law Update – Wind, Solar, Oil & Gas, Speaker to the Broome County Bar Association CLE Program, June 28, 2018
  • Leasing Your Land for Wind Energy, Speaker at the Town of Guilford, March 28, 2018
  • Real Property Severances of Oil & Gas Rights, Speaker at the NARO PA 2018 Annual Meeting & Convention in State College, PA, March 23, 2018
  • Key Energy & Environmental Cases of 2016-2017 – “Pipelines, Water Quality Withdrawal, SEQRA & Even More Fracking”, Panelist at the NYSBA Environmental & Energy Law Section Fall meeting, October 20, 2017
  • Leasing Your Land for Renewable Energy Development, Speaker at the Cayuga County Office of Planning and Economic Development, September 21, 2017
  • The Future of Renewable Energy in NY – Wind and Solar Leases, Speaker to the Broome County Bar Association CLE Program, April 13, 2017
  • Oil & Gas Leases and the Impact of Bankruptcy, Speaker at the 21st Annual Bankruptcy Conference, November 11, 2016
  • What Municipalities Need to Know About Solar Farms, Speaker at Upstate NY Towns Association, presented by the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York, June 9, 2016
  • Negotiating Solar Leases, Speaker at Solar Farm Seminar, Cornell Cooperative Extension, April 2, 2016
  • Real Property Severances of Oil & Gas Rights, Speaker at the NARO PA 2016 Annual Meeting & Convention in State College, PA, April 1, 2016
  • Solar Farm Leases, Speaker to the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York, February 24, 2016
  • NARO 2015 Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV, Municipalities v State Regulation, Speaker, October 16, 2015
  • Mortgage Foreclosure, Speaker and Chair to Broome County Bar Association CLE Program, September 29, 2015
  • Real Property Severances of Oil, Gas & Mineral Rights, Speaker at the NARO PA Annual Meeting & Convention in State College, PA, March 27, 2015
  • Municipal Home Rule and Zoning as they affect Oil & Gas Development, Speaker to the Texas State Bar Association’s 32nd annual Advanced Oil, Gas, and Energy Resources Law Course, October 3, 2014
  • Real Property Severances of Oil, Gas & Minerals, Speaker to the Broome County Bar Association CLE Program, June 27, 2014
  • Municipal Home Rule & Bans on Oil and Gas Drilling, Speaker at the NARO 2013 Annual Convention, Columbus, OH, November 1, 2013
  • Mineral Law Issues for the Non-Oil and Gas Lawyer: Municipal Home Rule and Bans on Oil & Gas Drilling, American Bar Association’s Webinar, June 13, 2013
  • IOGA of NY Summer Meeting, Town Drilling Bans – Dryden and Middlefield Appeals, Speaker, July 11, 2012
  • Marcellus Shale: New Regulations and Challenges-Landowner Perspectives, Speaker to the New York State Bar Association, Albany-June 15, 2012; Manhattan-June 22, 2012
  • NYS Leasing Issues Panel, Speaker at the NARO PA/NY 2012 Convention, March 23, 2012
  • Oil & Gas Seminar, Program Chair and Speaker to the Broome County Bar Association, April 14, 2011
  • Drilling Into Property Rights, Speaker at the Cornell Energy Conference, April 1, 2011
  • The State of Oil & Gas in New York, Speaker at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marcellus Shale Financial Seminar, June 23, 2010
  • Understanding Natural Gas Markets, Speaker at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Marcellus Shale Financial Seminar, April 14, 2010
  • Oil & Gas Leasing, Speaker and Program Chair at the Broome County Bar Association Oil & Gas Update, November 12, 2009

Community Service

Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, Board Member 2022 – Present, Executive Committee – November 2023 Mercy House of the Southern Tier – Board Member (2022), Executive Committee (2023) Most Holy Rosary Church – Trustee 2023

Education

J.D., Temple University (1989)
B.A., Ithaca College (1985)

Professional Memberships

New York State Bar Association
Pennsylvania State Bar Association
NYSBA Environmental & Energy Law Section
NYSBA Business Law Section
NYSBA Commercial & Federal Law Section
Central New York Bankruptcy Bar Association

 

Awards and Recognition

New York Super Lawyers, Energy and Natural Resources
AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell

Publications

Author: "The Marcellus Shale: A Game Changer for the New York Economy?" Point of View in New York State Bar Association Journal, January 2012