James P. Colgate has more than 20 years of experience in land use, zoning, planning and code compliance in New York City and is a member of the American Institute of Architects. Prior to joining Bryan Cave, Mr. Colgate was the assistant commissioner for technical affairs and code development at the New York City Department of Buildings. In this role, he issued complex interpretations, co-authored laws and managed the department’s legislative efforts to revise the New York City Construction Codes. Prior to his tenure at the Department of Buildings, Mr. Colgate worked at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the NYC Department of City Planning.

Mr. Colgate is a registered architect in New York and Connecticut. He is also a certified floodplain manager and served as FEMA’s floodplain administrator for the City of New York from 2004 to 2014.

From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Colgate was the law clerk to the Hon. Robert J. Ward, senior district judge for the Southern District of New York.