The Town of East Hampton has made three key appointments to its legal team. Jacob C. “Jake” Turner has been named Town Attorney, Brittany L. Toledano has been appointed Deputy Town Attorney, and Charles J. “Charlie” Collins has been promoted to Senior Assistant Town Attorney. Turner and Collins will assume their new positions effective April 28; Toledano will begin her new role on May 19.
Turner joined the Town Attorney’s Office in February 2024 as Senior Assistant Town Attorney and Lead Prosecutor. He brings more than twenty years of legal experience in both public service and private practice. His background includes a focus on municipal law, land use, litigation, and legal operations within local government.
Prior to joining East Hampton, he served as Supervising Attorney for the Land Use Division at Heilig Branigan LLP. He also served as Director of Building Department Entitlements for the Engel Burman Group, and as Deputy Director of Engineering Services and Assistant Town Attorney in the Town of Huntington. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly eight years as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted white-collar and violent crimes and led civil forfeiture actions.
Turner holds a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from New York Law School and a Bachelor’s degree from American University.
Toledano joins the Town from the Suffolk County Attorney’s Office, where she most recently served as Principal Assistant County Attorney and Labor Relations Investigator. Over more than a decade of public sector service, she has advised senior county officials and departments on complex land use and environmental issues, with a strong focus on SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) compliance, planning, and interagency coordination.
Additionally, she served as legal counsel to the Suffolk County Planning Commission and has worked extensively on matters involving municipal zoning, statutory interpretation, and policy development. Her prior work also includes drafting legislation, managing labor investigations, and providing legal support on litigation resulting in major opioid settlements for Suffolk County.
Toledano earned her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law and her undergraduate degree from St. Joseph’s College.
Collins has served as an Assistant Town Attorney since early 2024, providing legal counsel to a wide range of Town departments and boards, including the Planning Department, Building Department, Planning Board, Architectural Review Board, Emergency Preparedness, Engineering, and the Tax Assessor and Tax Receiver’s offices. Prior to joining the Town Attorney’s Office, Collins worked in private practice in East Hampton since he was admitted to the New York Bar in 2017.
Collins holds a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and History from Boston College. He is a fifth-generation East Hampton resident and a volunteer firefighter with the East Hampton Fire Department.
They will be working alongside Assistant Town Attorneys Nancy Marshall and Alexandra Vecchio. John Jilnicki serves the office in a part-time capacity and focuses exclusively on legal matters related to the Community Preservation Fund. The office is further supported by Paralegals Christina Arkinson and Maura Gledhill, who provide essential legal research and administrative support.
“Jake has already shown himself to be a steady, collaborative legal voice and a great fit for East Hampton,” said East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. “Brittany brings a powerful combination of experience, judgment, and care. Charlie offers both a deep local connection and a thoughtful approach to municipal law. This team reflects the professionalism and dedication we strive for in Town government, and I know they will serve our community with skill and integrity.”
The Office of the Town Attorney provides legal counsel to the Town Board and all departments, boards, and agencies of Town government. Their responsibilities include drafting and reviewing legislation, contracts, and policies; advising on zoning and land use; representing the Town in litigation; and ensuring compliance with state and local laws.
“Working for the Town of East Hampton over the past year has been an incredibly positive and rewarding experience,” Turner said. “The Town Board and Supervisor lead with clarity, purpose, and a deep commitment to the community, which makes this a truly exceptional place to work. I have a strong understanding of the legal and operational needs of the Town and am ready to take on this new role. It is an honor to continue serving East Hampton and to support the important work ahead.”
“I am honored to join the Town Attorney’s Office and to serve a community so deeply engaged in protecting its natural and built environment,” Toledano said. “Having advised the Suffolk County Planning Commission and worked extensively on SEQRA matters, I understand how essential careful legal guidance is to land use planning and environmental review. I look forward to supporting the Town’s efforts to balance thoughtful growth with long-term sustainability.”
“East Hampton is a truly special place, and it is an honor to use my education and experience as an attorney to serve the Town and its residents,” said Collins.