Sahn & Ward attorneys win legal case for Rosyln Heights owners.

The law firm of Sahn & Ward, PLLC has won a significant victory for its clients in a lengthy court battle on behalf of three commercial property owners in Roslyn Heights.

Sahn & Ward prevented the New York State Department of Transportation from constructing a massive, 22-foot high sound barrier wall in front of its client's buildings along the north service road of the Long Island Expressway.

"This has been very complex litigation, involving a trial in Supreme Court, several appeals to the appellate court, and multiple parties to the suit," said Michael H. Sahn, senior partner of Sahn & Ward, PLLC.

"The key to this case was the DOT's initial decision to construct the barrier, which was based on a flawed and inaccurate noise study."

Under complex federal guidelines that apply to New York State, the DOT cannot build a barrier unless scientific data shows a barrier is warranted to reduce projected noise impacts.

Working closely with a renowned acoustical engineer, Sahn showed the court that the DOT's computer model was fatally flawed and was in fact contradicted by actual measurements in the field.

Another victory in the case came when the Supreme Court denied a motion by a homeowner's group seeking to intervene in the case, since all of the group' s arguments had already been addressed and decided in motions and arguments made by the DOT.