Recent News:
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.
Ken’s practice concentrates on the public realm of the metropolitan area. His experience includes real estate development, zoning and land use, administrative and regulatory law, government contracting, litigation, and investigations.
Ken advocates for clients with government decision makers at the local, state, and federal levels. The Observer named him one of "The Lawyers You Call" and City Hall News as one of "10 People Who Can Help Get a Project Built-Or Help Stop One." The Real Deal notes that Ken "has emerged as a go-to guy for real estate clients embroiled in contentious projects..." He has been named a "New York Super Lawyer," "Legal Elite" by Avenue magazine, and the Legal Power 100, Real Estate Power 100, Brooklyn Power 100, and Brooklyn Power 50 by City & State. He was a recipient of the 2020 New York Law Journal Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ken served as a Member of the New York City Council from 1991-2001 (D-Brooklyn). At various times he was chair of the Council Ethics Committee, a Land Use subcommittee, and the Youth Services Committee. He was the principal sponsor of legislation creating the NYC Business Integrity Commission and conceived the NYC Childhood Asthma Initiative.
He was founding chair of the New York City Chapter of the New York League of Conservation Voters and founding chair of the board of directors of the Governors Island Alliance. Ken is a fellow of the Urban Design Forum and is a member of the board of directors of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. He previously served on the board of numerous organizations, including Interfaith Hospital.
Ken is chair of the Brooklyn Bar Association Committee on Government and Public Sector. He previously served as a member and chair of the New York City Bar Association Land Use Planning & Zoning Committee and Insurance Law Committee and was a member of the Judiciary Committee. He served two terms in the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates and co-chaired its Special Committee on Medical Information. He was previously secretary and law committee chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party and served as a delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention.
Ken earned his undergraduate degree from the University of the Pacific and his law degree from Syracuse University.
News
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 14, 2022
Ken Fisher is quoted in a CoStar News article discussing the plans proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams to make it easier to convert outdated office buildings in New York City. These proposals aim to create more pedestrian-oriented districts, increase housing supply, decrease commute times, and address safety concerns in an effort to revitalize the city’s economy.
October 06, 2022
New York City real estate professionals are feeling optimistic about the city, with anti-real estate sentiment among politicians topping their list of concerns, narrowly edging out the high cost of construction.
October 03, 2022
Super Lawyers has named 21 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2022 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
September 14, 2022
Ken Fisher and City Planning Chair Dan Garodnick discuss Mayor Eric Adams' vision for each citywide zoning amendment as a part of his “City of Yes” zoning initiative in Crain's New York Business.
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.”
March 07, 2022
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, and Stuart Shorenstein, Managing Director of Cozen O’Connor New York Public Strategies, have been named to City & State New York’s 2022 Law Power 100.
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.
December 02, 2021
Ken Fisher moderated a panel held for New York City Council candidates at the Council Members’ Retreat, hosted by City & State.
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.
October 04, 2021
Super Lawyers has named 17 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2021 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.
August 29, 2021
Ken Fisher discusses in the New York Post recent funds raised by Democratic Party nominee Eric Adams, who raised over $2 million in 43 days.
August 18, 2021
Ken Fisher was quoted in an article in the Commercial Observer discussing the fate of New York's unfinished transit projects following Governor Andrew Cuomo's resignation.
August 08, 2021
Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s 2021 Brooklyn Power 100.
June 29, 2021
Ken Fisher discusses what the end of the pandemic-related tenant protection means for landlords of commercial properties in Crain’s New York Business.
June 16, 2021
Ken Fisher discusses the race to elect a new mayor who will lead the city forward in Cooperator News New York.
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 22, 2021
Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, and Stuart A. Shorenstein, a member of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies and chair of the New York City and state practice, were named to City & State New York’s Law Power 100.
March 22, 2021
Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s Real Estate Power 100.
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.
October 05, 2020
Kenneth Fisher was quoted in an article in City & State New York addressing New York City Council’s unprecedented expulsion of Council Member Andy King following accusations that he harassed staff, took a $2,000 kickback from an aide, and ignored punishments doled out by the council after previous ethics violations.
September 29, 2020
Super Lawyers has named 21 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2020 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.
September 21, 2020
New York – September 21, 2020 – Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s 2020 Brooklyn Power 50.
August 31, 2020
Ken Fisher discusses alternative classroom solutions for New York City public schools as the system continues to struggle with how to safely bring students back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 05, 2020
Kenneth Fisher was quoted in an article in City & State New York about the Industry City rezoning application in Brooklyn.
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.
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.
March 30, 2020
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s Real Estate Power 100.
March 11, 2020
Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, and Stuart A. Shorenstein, a member of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies and chair of the New York City and state practice, were named to City & State New York’s 2020 Law Power 100.
January 15, 2020
Ken Fisher discusses the likelihood of the de Blasio administration reaching its rezoning goals before the term ends in a Crain’s New York Business article.
January 14, 2020
Ken Fisher was quoted in an article the New York Post discussing claims that a developer paid a New York City Hall lobbyist and a law firm with ties to Mayor DeBlasio to win approval of the expansion of a 10-story office tower in the East Village.
December 23, 2019
Ken Fisher is quoted in The Real Deal on developers’ reactions to the New York Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the Inwood neighborhood rezoning regulations.
December 05, 2019
Ken Fisher quoted in The Real Deal on New York’s decision to reduce the amounts that real estate donors and other large contributors can give to candidates for governor and other statewide offices.
November 29, 2019
Ken Fisher comments on significate changes to New York’s political climate for the real estate industry in a New York Times article.
November 19, 2019
Ken Fisher comments on proposed changes to the structure of the New York City Housing Court in an article in The Real Deal.
October 22, 2019
Ken Fisher comments on New York City Council’s decision to suspend Councilman Andy King in City & State New York.
September 27, 2019
Super Lawyers has named 17 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2019 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.
September 06, 2019
Ken Fisher provides his perspective on whether a plan to close Rikers Island, one of the largest jails in the country, and build four new borough-based jails in New York City will succeed in City & State New York.
August 27, 2019
Ken Fisher comments on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s order to the Department of City Planning to study implementing a special permit for developing hotels in New York City in the New York Post.
August 26, 2019
Ken Fisher is quoted in Crain’s New York Business on Mayor de Blasio’s plans to implement a special permit for hotel development, following a hotel union’s (Hotel Trades Council) support of de Blasio’s presidential campaign.
August 19, 2019
Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, was named to City & State New York’s 2019 Brooklyn Power 100.
August 07, 2019
Ken Fisher discusses Queens District Attorney Democratic candidate Melinda Katz's narrow victory over Tiffany Cabán in the primary that was announced only after a lengthy manual recount and threats of affidavit ballot challenges.
July 27, 2019
Ken Fisher was featured on a WPIX 11 New York news segment discussing the plan to build a parking garage below the Riverside Apartment complex courtyard in Brooklyn.
July 17, 2019
Ken Fisher notes the makeup of the Supreme Court could impact New York's Rent Stabilization Association's and Community Housing Improvement Program's lawsuit, challenging the New York State rent stabilization law, in an article in The Real Deal.
June 17, 2019
Ken Fisher comments on the impact just-enacted changes to New York’s rent laws will have on New York City landlords, including a provision eliminating the ability to raise rents by 20% when a rent-regulated tenant moved out.
June 05, 2019
Ken Fisher shares his thoughts on the increase in political contributions from landlords above what their trade association, the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), as the State Legislature prepares for its most significant overhaul in decades.
May 22, 2019
Ken Fisher explains why the narrative of aggressive evictions in New York is unfair to landlords in a PincusCo article.
May 13, 2019
Ken Fisher discusses New York City's Right to Counsel law in The Real Deal. The article explains that New York passed the law in 2017, guaranteeing a lawyer to all low-income tenants facing eviction, and while it has received support from both tenants and landlords some issues still remain.
March 31, 2019
Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of the law firm of Cozen O'Connor was named to City & State New York’s inaugural Real Estate Power 50.
March 05, 2019
Ken Fisher is quoted in City & State New York on efforts to reform existing rent stabilization laws. According to the article, Upstate Downstate Housing Alliance, a coalition of activist groups, is advocating for tenant protections and has laid out a universal rent platform consisting of several pieces of legislation.
February 07, 2019
Ken Fisher discusses the accuracy of statements made by candidates during the first debate for New York City Public Advocate special election in City & State New York.
January 30, 2019
Ken Fisher comments on former Brooklyn district attorney Charles J. Hynes’ career milestones.
January 22, 2019
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Public Strategies, discussed with City & State New York about the New York senator’s chances in the 2020 presidential race.
November 07, 2018
Stuart Shorenstein, Katie Schwab, Ken Fisher, and Rose Christ from Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies New York host a special conference call to debrief on the New York general election results and the implications of the results in terms of policy for the next term.
November 05, 2018
Kenneth Fisher, a member of the Business Law Department at Cozen O’Connor, has been elected to the board of directors of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Fisher will serve a two-year term on the board, effective October 25, 2018.
October 03, 2018
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, discussed allegations by the New York Times that the Trump family may have illegally moved money between generations and under paid taxes without being caught by the government, in City & State New York.
September 21, 2018
Super Lawyers has named 17 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2018 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list. Twelve were recognized as Super Lawyers and five were named "Rising Stars."
August 31, 2018
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, discusses the return of displaced tenants to a renovated New York apartment building in the Daily News, CBS New York, and AsAmNews.com.
July 23, 2018
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Business Law Department, discusses the review of the New York City charter by two commissions and the potential impact to the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.
June 27, 2018
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, discusses the NYC Rent Guidelines Board’s vote to allow a 1.5 percent increase on one-year leases and a 2.5 percent increase on two-year leases to rent-regulated apartments in New York City.
May 30, 2018
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, is quoted in Politico on New York politicians’ eagerness to run for Public Advocate should current Public Advocate Tish James be elected New York State Attorney General.
October 05, 2016
The 2016 New York Metro edition of Super Lawyers Magazine, published by Thomson Reuters, has named 21 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its list of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
October 05, 2015
The 2015 New York Metro edition of Super Lawyers Magazine, published by Thomson Reuters, has named 21 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its list of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
Publications
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.
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.
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.
December 03, 2019
Ken Fisher authored this article on the political changes and challenges facing New York City’s real estate industry and the importance of industry activism in support of new construction and growth in the city.
July 09, 2019
Ken Fisher co-authored a chapter titled, “Turn Development Rights into Landmarks Revenue” in Maintaining: Public Works in the Next New York, published by the Urban Design Forum.
May 07, 2019
Ken Fisher discusses the misconceptions about lobbyists in New York.
December 05, 2018
Ken Fisher authored an article in the New York Real Estate Journal the impact the 2018 midterm election results could have on shaping infrastructure funding decisions.
September 14, 2018
On today’s New York Client Call, Stuart Shorenstein, Katie Schwab, Rose Christ and Ken Fisher of our New York City team debrief on last night’s New York primary election results and analyze the results of several heavily contested New York State Senate races that could potentially impact control of the chamber.
August 15, 2018
On this special edition of the Beltway Briefing Road to the 2018 Midterm Elections call, Howard Schweitzer, CPS’s Managing Partner, interviews Katie Schwab, Rose Christ and Ken Fisher of our New York City office about the current political climate in New York, the recent activism we’ve been seeing by the City Council and Mayor’s Office – particularly as it relates to the “disruptors” like Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb – and the team’s thoughts on the closely-watched Governor and State Attorneys General races in New York.