Secunda, the legal counsel behind Riverhead ResortsLLC's proposed 4.8 million gross sf of upscale hotels,condos and resorts project on 755 acres on the East End of LongIsland, tells GlobeSt.com that it isn't as easy as just creating aconcept and then developing it. "The project will takefour development phases over 10 years," Secunda says. "It will beat least two years from now before a shovel goes into theground."

[IMGCAP(2)]More than a year was consumed in negotiating thecontract with the Town of Riverhead and getting through therequired hearings, Secunda explains. "My client, John Niven, spentyears ruminating over the details of his ambitious project anddeciding who might constitute his 'dream team' of professionalswhich could actualize the concept." Niven, the chairman ofBaldragon Homes Ltd., a builder of luxury homes in Scotland, hadbuilt more than his share of large residential developments,according to Secunda, however, this would be his first foray"across the Pond" for business.

"His vision of the project was of a magnitude that would makeany experienced builder in New York flinch," Secunda says. Nivendecided that the first thing to do was to find a good law firm. Thefirm would need to have attorneys who knew the playing field ofdevelopment work on both the legal and business sides of the fence,Secunda explains, adding that "the attorneys would be his eyes andears in this country. They would need to know the correct people ingovernment and in the real estate community who paralleled those hedealt with at home."