Recent News:
Ken Fisher was quoted in The Real Deal’s article regarding Brooklyn Yards, a 14-building, 270-unit development that will be constructed on top of a freight rail line.
More
Cozen O’Connor has represented residential, commercial, retail, and industrial builders in the development and redevelopment of building lots and millions of square feet of real estate. Our team handles every aspect of the zoning, land use, and development approvals process, from obtaining building permits and variances to negotiating stormwater management and traffic plans. We have experience working on multifamily homes and condominiums, office buildings and shopping centers, single-use buildings such as pharmaceutical headquarters and educational institutions, municipal buildings, and public infrastructure. We are equally adept at managing development in densely built cities as in suburban or rural regions.
Having handled hundreds of projects to date, our real estate lawyers can recognize, anticipate, and resolve issues early. We advise clients candidly when a proposal is likely to confront insurmountable resistance in the approvals process and work closely with architectural, engineering, and budget experts to create realistic, approvable alternatives. Once a development plan is in place, we obtain the necessary approvals to allow construction to begin as soon as possible. We frequently engage government overseers on multiple, parallel tracks and are tenacious about advancing our clients' development goals.
Cozen O’Connor attorneys understand, however, that smart advocacy requires both persistence and diplomacy. Most real estate development — from the addition of a small parking lot to the construction of a one-million-square-foot high rise — invites objection from one party or another. To reach a satisfactory resolution and enable development to go forward, real estate counsel must listen to the concerns of all stakeholders and be able to communicate effectively with government officials, funders, community groups, and residents. Through open and respectful consultation, we are able to keep projects on track and out of court. In those rare cases when negotiation is not possible, we are prepared to litigate to protect clients’ legitimate property rights.
SERVICES
-
Appear before boards of elected officials, planning commissions, and zoning hearing boards
-
Guide clients through local, state, and federal agency land use application processes
-
Negotiate zoning approvals, variances, special exceptions, and conditional uses
-
Advocate for rezoning on clients’ behalf
-
Obtain land use approvals and special use permits
-
Obtain site plan and subdivision approvals
-
Address grading, floodplain, stormwater management, and other environmental issues
-
Address highway occupancy and traffic considerations
-
Represent clients in land use, zoning, boundary line, and easement litigation
October 29, 2024
Ken Fisher called for repealing a New York City rule that prevents private development of dormitories in amNY.
October 16, 2024
Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss New York City's proposal to rezone Atlantic Avenue to spur development and affordable housing.
September 10, 2024
Eric DeBear and Madeline Shay Williams co-authored a Law360 article on the significance of financial incentives as a government tool to address affordable housing.
August 19, 2024
The New York City Council approved the Bronx-Metro North Neighborhood Plan, the first New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) led neighborhood plan certified and approved under the Adams administration.
July 09, 2024
Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall co-authored a Law360 article on New York City Mayor Adams’ Green Fast Track for Housing initiative, which went into effect on June 3.
July 08, 2024
The NYC Mayor and NYC Department of City Planning (DCP), have unveiled a zoning proposal that could lead to development of more than 14,000 homes, more commercial space, and an improved public realm in Long Island City, Queens.
July 02, 2024
Evan Pritchard and Madeline Shay Williams co-authored a Law360 article on the significance of zoning reform as a first step toward resolving the affordable housing crisis.
June 10, 2024
On June 6, 2024, the New York City Council approved the NYC Department of City Planning’s Zoning for Economic Opportunity, the second of Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes initiatives.
June 04, 2024
Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss NYC Mayor Eric Adams' Green Fast Track for Housing initiative, which went into effect June 3, 2024, and aims to shorten the lengthy environmental review process for certain residential developments.
April 17, 2024
Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Meenakshi Srinivasan discuss the DCP's draft zoning text for the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal, the third of the Adams administration’s City of Yes zoning initiatives.
April 01, 2024
Vivien Krieger discusses the Adams Administration's City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal, which would introduce new higher-density residential zoning districts to New York City.
February 01, 2024
Vivian Krieger, Sunny Bhatt, and Rachel Scall discuss the Green Fast Track for Housing, a plan that would remove layers of environmental review for certain residential developments.
December 11, 2023
On December 6, 2023, the New York City Council approved the first of Mayor Adams’ three “City of Yes” zoning initiatives.
September 25, 2023
Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Sunny Bhatt discuss how the initiative could make the largest changes to the NYC Zoning Resolution in more than a generation.
September 13, 2023
In this alert, Ken Fisher details the initiatives impacting Brooklyn and updates the 2019 development roadmap to see potential opportunities for the future.
August 18, 2023
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced three initiatives to assist in the creation of much-needed housing, including easing the office-to-residential conversion process.
June 20, 2023
Sunny Bhatt, Rachel Scall, and Vivien R. Krieger discuss Mayor Adams' "City of Yes for Economic Opportunity" proposal, the second of the mayor’s City of Yes zoning initiatives.
April 25, 2023
The City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality seeks to remove overly burdensome zoning requirements and expand opportunities for decarbonization projects in NYC.
January 18, 2023
During her State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the New York Housing Compact, a strategy to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade.
January 11, 2023
New York City’s Office Adaptive Reuse Task Force released a study calling for more conversions of older office stock into much-needed housing.
December 13, 2022
The Get Stuff Built report details 111 actions the city intends to take to reduce time, cost, and bureaucratic red tape during the development process.
June 06, 2022
Mayor Adams announced his “City of Yes” plan to amend the city’s zoning tools to support small businesses, create affordable housing, and promote sustainability.
May 11, 2022
Beginning June 1, 2022, certain public and private applications before the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) must include a Racial Equity Report.
May 09, 2022
Senator Kavanagh, Assembly Member Glick have each introduced state legislation to permit residents to continue to occupy units previously reserved for artists.
March 22, 2022
The Uniform Easement Relocation Act (UERA) was approved by the NCC in 2020 in order to resolve the myriad regional approaches to the relocation of easements.
March 17, 2022
Meridith Moldenhauer and Evan Pritchard discuss the Chevy Chase Small Area Plan.
January 12, 2022
Ken Fisher discusses a major gamble taken by developers in Gowanus that will result in a major tax break for some developers for the next 25 years in The Real Deal.
November 29, 2021
Ken Fisher discusses the need for New York real estate companies to update their data security and privacy practices and procedures in the Brooklyn Barrister.
August 02, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger, Katie Schwab discuss the city’s proposed City-Wide Hotel Special Permit and how community boards and borough presidents are responding.
July 20, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger, and Katie Schwab discuss Mayor de Blasio's plan to make the temporary Open Restaurants Program permanent.
June 28, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger and Katie Schwab discuss the NYC Council Approval of the Proposal to Mandate Racial Equity Reports for Certain Land Use Applications
May 20, 2021
Ken Fisher (New York), shares a brief recap of his involvement with the Gowanus rezoning project where Mayor de Blasio proposes to upzone approximately 80 acres along the canal to make it available for residential buildings for the Commercial Observer.
April 22, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Lauren Turenchalk, Vivien Krieger, and Katie Schwab discuss the eight top Democratic candidates and their plans for affordable housing.
March 18, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Vivien Krieger, and Ken Fisher discuss a series of new proposed citywide zoning text amendments that are intended to improve transit station accessibility, incentivize the creation of local grocery stores, and alleviate regulatory burdens for gyms and restaurants.
November 14, 2024
Ken Fisher was quoted in The Real Deal’s article regarding Brooklyn Yards, a 14-building, 270-unit development that will be constructed on top of a freight rail line.
November 07, 2024
In 2024, Best Lawyers received more than 100,000 client references and observed a 65% increase in client participation in their survey.
October 29, 2024
Ken Fisher called for repealing a New York City rule that prevents private development of dormitories in amNY.
October 16, 2024
Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss New York City's proposal to rezone Atlantic Avenue to spur development and affordable housing.
September 12, 2024
Vivien Krieger has been selected to serve on Urban Land Institute (ULI) New York’s 2025 Awards for Excellence in Development Committee for the second year.
September 10, 2024
Eric DeBear and Madeline Shay Williams co-authored a Law360 article on the significance of financial incentives as a government tool to address affordable housing.
August 19, 2024
The New York City Council approved the Bronx-Metro North Neighborhood Plan, the first New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) led neighborhood plan certified and approved under the Adams administration.
August 16, 2024
Vivien Krieger was quoted in a CoStar News article regarding New York City’s approval of a plan to allow the development of approximately 7,000 new residential housing units in the East Bronx.
August 15, 2024
Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.
July 12, 2024
Cozen O’Connor has become a founding member of Urban Design Forum’s (UDF) Global Circle in support of UDF’s Global Exchange program.
July 09, 2024
Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall co-authored a Law360 article on New York City Mayor Adams’ Green Fast Track for Housing initiative, which went into effect on June 3.
July 08, 2024
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, has been named to City & State New York’s 2024 Brooklyn Power 100.
July 08, 2024
The NYC Mayor and NYC Department of City Planning (DCP), have unveiled a zoning proposal that could lead to development of more than 14,000 homes, more commercial space, and an improved public realm in Long Island City, Queens.
July 02, 2024
Evan Pritchard and Madeline Shay Williams co-authored a Law360 article on the significance of zoning reform as a first step toward resolving the affordable housing crisis.
June 10, 2024
Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”
June 10, 2024
On June 6, 2024, the New York City Council approved the NYC Department of City Planning’s Zoning for Economic Opportunity, the second of Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes initiatives.
June 04, 2024
Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss NYC Mayor Eric Adams' Green Fast Track for Housing initiative, which went into effect June 3, 2024, and aims to shorten the lengthy environmental review process for certain residential developments.
April 17, 2024
Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Meenakshi Srinivasan discuss the DCP's draft zoning text for the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal, the third of the Adams administration’s City of Yes zoning initiatives.
April 01, 2024
Vivien Krieger discusses the Adams Administration's City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal, which would introduce new higher-density residential zoning districts to New York City.
March 20, 2024
Ken Fisher was quoted in a Spectrum News NY1 article discussing the reformation of New York City’s property tax system.
February 01, 2024
Vivian Krieger, Sunny Bhatt, and Rachel Scall discuss the Green Fast Track for Housing, a plan that would remove layers of environmental review for certain residential developments.
December 11, 2023
On December 6, 2023, the New York City Council approved the first of Mayor Adams’ three “City of Yes” zoning initiatives.
November 14, 2023
New York City real estate professionals’ confidence in the city’s short-term future dropped by a quarter since last year, while pessimism tripled, according to a survey conducted by the law firm of Cozen O’Connor.
September 25, 2023
Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Sunny Bhatt discuss how the initiative could make the largest changes to the NYC Zoning Resolution in more than a generation.
September 22, 2023
Thirteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers and 14 were named “Rising Stars.”
September 13, 2023
In this alert, Ken Fisher details the initiatives impacting Brooklyn and updates the 2019 development roadmap to see potential opportunities for the future.
August 18, 2023
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced three initiatives to assist in the creation of much-needed housing, including easing the office-to-residential conversion process.
August 17, 2023
Best Lawyers selected 232 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
July 31, 2023
Vivien R. Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Sunny Bhatt will be leading the team, which will include Becca Eschen, Marnie Kudon, Jen Miller, Adam Morsy, Scott Pashman, Mateo Rendon, and Zach Samton, in providing legal support to the Local Center initiative in New York City.
June 20, 2023
Sunny Bhatt, Rachel Scall, and Vivien R. Krieger discuss Mayor Adams' "City of Yes for Economic Opportunity" proposal, the second of the mayor’s City of Yes zoning initiatives.
June 06, 2023
NEW YORK, June 6, 2023 — Vivien Krieger has been selected to serve on Urban Land Institute (ULI) New York’s 2023 Awards for Excellence in Development Committee.
June 05, 2023
Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.
May 24, 2023
Super Lawyers has selected 42 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
April 25, 2023
The City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality seeks to remove overly burdensome zoning requirements and expand opportunities for decarbonization projects in NYC.
January 18, 2023
During her State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the New York Housing Compact, a strategy to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade.
January 11, 2023
New York City’s Office Adaptive Reuse Task Force released a study calling for more conversions of older office stock into much-needed housing.
December 19, 2022
New York, December 19, 2022 – Cozen O’Connor and its affiliate, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, announce the release of an innovative short documentary, “New York City: What’s Ahead? A Real Estate Perspective,” with keen observations about this current unprecedented and transformative period.
December 13, 2022
The Get Stuff Built report details 111 actions the city intends to take to reduce time, cost, and bureaucratic red tape during the development process.
October 27, 2022
Vivien Krieger is quoted in a QNS article that discusses the proposed development of a mixed-use building that would involve rezoning The Reform Temple of Forest Hills. A public land use hearing took place on October 27 to discuss this proposal.
October 03, 2022
Super Lawyers has named 21 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2022 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
August 22, 2022
210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
July 26, 2022
Moldenhauer was recognized at an awards ceremony on July 26, 2022.
July 11, 2022
New York, July 11, 2022 — Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s 2022 Brooklyn Power 100. The list recognizes “the borough’s most politically powerful figures, including government officials, business executives, nonprofit leaders, activists, advocates and academics.”
June 06, 2022
Mayor Adams announced his “City of Yes” plan to amend the city’s zoning tools to support small businesses, create affordable housing, and promote sustainability.
June 02, 2022
Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.
May 11, 2022
Beginning June 1, 2022, certain public and private applications before the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) must include a Racial Equity Report.
May 09, 2022
Senator Kavanagh, Assembly Member Glick have each introduced state legislation to permit residents to continue to occupy units previously reserved for artists.
March 22, 2022
The Uniform Easement Relocation Act (UERA) was approved by the NCC in 2020 in order to resolve the myriad regional approaches to the relocation of easements.
March 17, 2022
Meridith Moldenhauer and Evan Pritchard discuss the Chevy Chase Small Area Plan.
February 14, 2022
New York, February 14, 2022 — Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s 2022 Real Estate Power 100. The list recognizes New York City’s most influential real estate executives, public officials, lawmakers, labor leaders, activists, and advocates. Fisher was recognized for his “reputation as a respected authority working ‘at the intersection of law, politics, and community service.’”
January 25, 2022
Ken Fisher is quoted in an article in the Commercial Observer that discusses the neglected state of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) and what needs to be done to address this issue.
January 19, 2022
Ken Fisher is quoted in an article in The Real Deal about New York City’s development of an affordable housing complex for seniors at the site of Elizabeth Street Garden.
January 12, 2022
Ken Fisher discusses a major gamble taken by developers in Gowanus that will result in a major tax break for some developers for the next 25 years in The Real Deal.
November 29, 2021
Ken Fisher discusses the need for New York real estate companies to update their data security and privacy practices and procedures in the Brooklyn Barrister.
November 04, 2021
Ken Fisher discusses plans that Eric Adams, the new mayor of New York City has to increase the housing, zoning, and quality of life issues confronting the city in Commercial Observer.
August 19, 2021
Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
August 02, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger, Katie Schwab discuss the city’s proposed City-Wide Hotel Special Permit and how community boards and borough presidents are responding.
July 23, 2021
Vivien Krieger, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been appointed chair of Urban Land Institute (ULI) New York’s Technical Assistance Panels Steering Committee for a one-year term, effective July 1, 2021.
July 20, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger, and Katie Schwab discuss Mayor de Blasio's plan to make the temporary Open Restaurants Program permanent.
June 28, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger and Katie Schwab discuss the NYC Council Approval of the Proposal to Mandate Racial Equity Reports for Certain Land Use Applications
May 28, 2021
Super Lawyers has selected 47 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
May 20, 2021
Ken Fisher (New York), shares a brief recap of his involvement with the Gowanus rezoning project where Mayor de Blasio proposes to upzone approximately 80 acres along the canal to make it available for residential buildings for the Commercial Observer.
April 22, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Lauren Turenchalk, Vivien Krieger, and Katie Schwab discuss the eight top Democratic candidates and their plans for affordable housing.
April 20, 2021
Ken Fisher discusses a plan lawmakers are considering to convert distressed office buildings and hotels into housing in City & State New York.
April 19, 2021
Ken Fisher discusses the likelihood of the Gowanus rezoning project proceeding in Crain’s New York Business.
March 18, 2021
Alyssa Baldassini, Vivien Krieger, and Ken Fisher discuss a series of new proposed citywide zoning text amendments that are intended to improve transit station accessibility, incentivize the creation of local grocery stores, and alleviate regulatory burdens for gyms and restaurants.
November 09, 2020
Ken Fisher discusses the influence local officials have in changing the skylines of major real estate cities, such as New York, in The Real Deal.
September 29, 2020
Super Lawyers has named 21 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2020 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.
July 08, 2020
Vivien Krieger, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been appointed vice chair of Urban Land Institute (ULI) New York’s Technical Assistance Panels Steering Committee for a one-year term, effective July 1, 2020.
July 01, 2020
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, has been selected by the New York Law Journal to receive its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
June 10, 2020
Ken Fisher discusses the impact New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's loss of influence has on the real estate industry in The Real Deal.
June 05, 2020
Super Lawyers has selected 58 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2020 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
May 15, 2020
Ken Fisher discusses New York City Council Member Costa Constantinides’ request for the city to restart its land use review process for the Rikers Island Public Place Mapping amid the COVID-19 pandemic in The Real Deal.