Kristen M. Motel
"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” -Nelson Mandela
Kristen is a partner in the firm’s Land Use, Zoning & Development, Energy & Environmental, Telecommunications groups. Additionally, she serves as Chair of the Cannabis Law group. Her practice includes federal, state and local environmental permitting and compliance, real estate development, and wireless telecommunications siting. Kristen regularly represents national developers, homeowners and small businesses before municipal and state land use and environmental agencies. Her background in environmental compliance allows her to integrate technical experience into her legal representation. Clients consult with Kristen on various aspects of development and seek her advice regarding New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act, coastal redevelopment and numerous state and local land use laws.
Kristen’s practice also includes advising clients in the emerging field of cannabis law. An active member of the Westchester County Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee and the Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Association, Kristen helps coordinate the progression of legal services needed to bring cannabis businesses from idea to reality.
Prior to joining Cuddy & Feder, Kristen clerked for the judges of the Connecticut Superior Court. While in law school, she interned at the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic, the U.S. EPA Region 2’s Superfund Division, and with Hon. Judge Cathy Seibel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Kristen has co-authored a paper on climate change adaptation that was presented at the 2014 Asia Pacific Center for Environmental Law Climate Change.
Kristen worked as an environmental consultant prior to becoming an attorney, serving as a compliance advisor for clients. The various projects she administered included wastewater, storm water, and air permitting, as well as hazardous materials operations and management.
Education
- Pace University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, Certificate in Environmental Law; 2015
- University of Rhode Island, B.S., cum laude; 2008
Admissions/Courts
- New York
- Connecticut
Awards + Recognitions
- Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers; 2024-2025
- Recipient of the inaugural New Leader Trailblazer Award at WCA’s Annual Fall Leadership Event; 2023
- Recipient of the Business Council of Westchester’s Rising Star: 40 Under 40 Award honoring young professionals in Westchester County demonstrating leadership, foresight and excellence in their profession; 2023
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch; 2023-2025
- Westfair Communications Millennial & Gen Z Award; 2021
- New York Metro – Top Women Super Lawyers; 2021
- Super Lawyers® New York Metro Edition Rising Stars; 2018-2024
- Westchester Women’s Bar Association Justice Sondra Miller Scholarship Recipient, 2015
Professional Associations
- Cannabis Association of New York (CANY), Policy Committee Member
- Executive Committee, New York State Bar Association, Local and State Government Law Section
- Westchester County Association, Co-Chair of the Real Estate Sustainability Subcommittee
- Westchester Women’s Bar Association, Past State Director, Past Vice President
- New York Bar Association
- Westchester County Bar Association
- Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Association
Presentations + Publications
“Resilient and Sustainable Energy Technologies and Systems”
22nd Annual Pace Land Use Law Center Sustainable Development Conference
Panelist
December 8, 2023
“Sustainability & the Built Environment – Implications for the Real Estate Sector”
Westchester County Association Profit & Purpose Sustainable Business Conference
Moderator
June 1, 2023
“Cannabis & Real Estate”
Westchester Women’s Bar Association
Speaker
CLE Seminar
February 7, 2023
“Encore: Local Regulation of Cannabis Now That the Regulations Are Out”
NYSBA Annual Meeting, Local and State Government Law Section
Speaker
January 24, 2023
“Cannapreneurs: Business Opportunities in Cannabis”
The New Grow Center
Speaker
November 30, 2022
“Cannabis in the Communities and Local Considerations”
NYSBA Local and State Government Law Section Fall 2022 Meeting
Speaker
October 15, 2022
“Cannabis and Land Use and Zoning Regulation in New York”
New York Zoning Law and Practice Report
March/April 2022
Author
“New York Adult Use Cannabis: What you Need to Know”
WWBA, WPBA, WCBA
January 27, 2022
CLE Seminar
Panelist
“New York Adult Use Marijuana: What You Need to Know”
Westchester County Bar Association
May 24, 2021
CLE Seminar
Presenter
“Economic Forecast for Developing Communities in the Hudson Valley”
Society for Professional Marketing Services
November 10, 2021
Panelist
“WATER: Conservation, Mitigation, Creation & Restoration”
2019 Residential Design Expo
ASLA Connecticut
October 2019
Panelist
“Ancient Streets: Creation of the Implied Easement“
Municipal Lawyer, September 2018
Author
“Zoning and Land Use Principles for CT Vineyards & Wineries”
CT Vineyard and Winery Association’s Annual Meeting on Zoning and Land Use
February 2017
Speaker
“Adaptation to Climate Change: ASEAN & Comparative Experiences”
World Scientific, September 2015
Co-Author
From the Blog
Community Service
- Annual Volunteer for the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) – Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossings Project
- Westchester County Bar Association, Cannabis Law Committee
- Westchester County Executive’s Climate Crisis Task Force, Land Use Initiative Co-Chair
- Westchester Women’s Bar Association; Environmental & Land Use Committee, New Lawyers Committee, Membership Committee, and Networking Committee
- University of Rhode Island, We’re Offering Women Wisdom, Founder & Board of Directors Member
Extracurricular
- Kristen enjoys hiking and helping out at her family’s vineyard.
- She also loves flower gardening and is an avid runner.
Related Updates
Client Successes • Oct 25, 2024
Susquehanna Spirit Secures Cannabis Processing License
Cuddy & Feder client, Susquehanna Spirit, has received a cannabis processing license from the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). With this license, Susquehanna Spirit is now authorized to process cannabis products for the New York market.
READ MORE
News + Events • Apr 08, 2025
