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Mostly Cloudy Uniondale law firm is recognized nationally
Practicing attorney, Kathleen Deegan Dickson, hopes to leave lasting impact on community
Uniondale can now boast that they are home to some of the best lawyers in America, 14 of them, to be exact.
The law office of Forchelli Deegan Terrana, or FDT, which is located in Uniondale — announced last week that 14 of their practicing attorneys were awarded in this year’s edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
Among those who won, attorney Kathleen Deegan Dickson, who has been practicing law for 32 years, 15 of which have been in Uniondale — was listed for the second time in a row for her work in Cannabis Law. Although she is best known for her work in FDT’s land use & zoning practice, Dickson also co-chairs the firm’s cannabis practice group.
Dickson was also recently recognized as one of the Most Influential Long Islanders and Women Leaders in the Law category for Long Island Business News.
Her “evolution” Into the cannabis space ties into her land use and zoning law. “Back when medical cannabis was made legal, I had a few clients who were looking to open up dispensaries in the area, and so I learned a lot about the industry as a whole from them,” Dickson explains. “We wanted to be in a position that when cannabis did become legal for adult use, that we had an opportunity to represent across the board, and make sure that our clients understand what can and can't be done in different real estate spaces.”
But where her love for law and making a difference really lie, is in the affordable housing practice. “I have a passion for affordable housing development, I feel like there's too many people who are priced out of living around here and there's been an attitude against it,” Dickson says.
Dickson explains that a lot of times, residents are skeptical of affordable developments being built in their neighborhoods, but she says once they are built and integrated into the community, people think they're “wonderful.” “You have to get a toehold and change people's minds about the benefits of having housing that people can afford to live in.”
Dickson and FDT hope to continue serving the Uniondale community and leave an indelible mark on both the legal profession and the community it serves.
