Robert R. Butts

Partner

With over 45 years of legal experience, Bob practices primarily in the fields of residential and commercial real estate; zoning, planning and land use law; wills, trusts and estate planning; estate administration; and other areas of general civil law. His representation in real estate transactions has included purchases and sales ranging from major industrial facilities and commercial properties to individual homes and country estates, as well as commercial and residential mortgage lending. He maintains an active estate planning practice, representing individuals and families throughout the Mid-Hudson region.

Bob was born in Poughkeepsie and attended local public schools. After completing his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth, he received both his law degree and a master’s degree in regional planning from Cornell. He began his law career as a staff attorney for Radisson, a “new town” project developed by the New York State Urban Development Corporation near Syracuse, NY, then served as confidential law secretary to the Honorable Henry W. Lengyel in Watertown, NY.

Returning to Poughkeepsie, Bob joined Guernsey, Butts & Walsh, a leading local firm, eventually becoming partner and later managing partner of that firm and its successor, Guernsey Butts Ostertag & O’Leary. He opened his own law office in Poughkeepsie in 1995, moved his practice to Millbrook in 2014, and joined with Josh Mackey and David Wise in 2016 to form Mackey Butts & Wise, LLP.
A fourth generation Dutchess County attorney, Bob is proud to carry on a strong family tradition of legal and civic service to the community. Bob has called Stanfordville home since 1989 and is an avid squash player, beekeeper and cross country skier.

Affiliations

Member
American Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Dutchess County Bar Association
Dartmouth Lawyers Association

In The Community

  • Town of Stanford, Planning Board, Past Chairman
  • Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, Past Trustee
  • Hudson River Rowing Association, Past Board Member
  • Stanford Free Library, Past Board Member and Treasurer
  • Vassar Warner Home, Past Board Member and Secretary
  • Cuneen-Hackett Cultural Center, Past Board Member
  • Rehabilitation Programs (now Abilities First), Past Board Member and Treasurer
  • Town of Clinton Zoning Board of Appeals, Past Board Member

 

Education

Cornell Law School, J.D.
Cornell University, Master of Regional Planning
Dartmouth College, A.B.

Practice Areas

Residential and Commercial Real Estate
Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning
Community Association Law
Estate Administration and Probate
Real Property Tax
Zoning and Land Use Law

Admissions

New York
U.S. Court of Appeals, 2d Circuit
U.S. District Court
Southern District of New York
Eastern District of New York