Recent Publication:
Ken Fisher discusses think tanks for decision makers in government policy in amNY.
Ken’s practice concentrates on the public realm of the New York 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.
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 and co-chairs its Real Estate Committee. He previously served on the board of numerous organizations, including Interfaith Hospital.
Ken was a Member of the New York City Council (1991-2001). At various times he chaired a Land Use Subcommittee, the Youth Services Committee and the Committee on Standards & Ethics. He was the prime sponsor of legislation regulating landmarks, public markets and the trade waste industry.
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. In addition, 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
April 11, 2025
Ken Fisher was quoted in a recent article for THE CITY discussing developers’ rights to appeal property tax assessments, even when receiving substantial tax incentives.
March 11, 2025
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, and Jerry Goldfeder, a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, have been named to City & State New York’s 2025 Law Power 100.
February 26, 2025
Ken Fisher discusses New York City’s approach to real estate development in relation to the housing crisis in THE CITY.
November 27, 2024
Ken Fisher is quoted in The Real Deal’s article regarding the Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s establishment of affordable housing units.
November 14, 2024
Ken Fisher is 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.
October 24, 2024
Fourteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers, and 21 were named “Rising Stars,” a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.
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.
June 24, 2024
Ken Fisher is quoted in The Real Deal’s article regarding a favorable decision by the New York Court of Appeals in a legal battle concerning an open lot in Little Italy.
April 24, 2024
Ken Fisher is quoted in a Law360 article discussing the housing provisions in New York’s latest budget.
March 26, 2024
Kenneth Fisher, a member of the firm’s Business Law Department, and Jerry Goldfeder, a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, have been named to City & State New York’s 2024 Trailblazers in Law list.
March 20, 2024
Ken Fisher is quoted in a Spectrum News NY1 article discussing the reformation of New York City’s property tax system.
March 20, 2024
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law department, has been named to the PoliticsNY and amNY Metro 2024 Power Players in Real Estate list.
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 22, 2023
Thirteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers and 14 were named “Rising Stars.”
August 01, 2023
NEW YORK, August 1, 2023 – Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, has been named to City & State New York’s 2023 Brooklyn Power 100.
July 18, 2023
Ken Fisher is quoted in the Commercial Observer in an article discussing Governor Kathy Hochul’s approach to addressing New York City’s ongoing housing crisis.
July 13, 2023
Ken Fisher is quoted in the Commercial Observer in an article discussing New York Governor Kathy Hochul's attempt to revive a tax incentive for developers through an executive order.
July 05, 2023
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, has been named to City & State New York’s 2023 Real Estate Power 100. The Real Estate Power 100 recognizes New York City’s most prominent real estate executives, public officials, lawmakers, labor leaders, activists, and advocates. This is Ken’s third consecutive year to be named to the influential list.
June 29, 2023
Ken Fisher is quoted in the Commercial Observer discussing the 2023 City Council primary election. Several pro-business candidates won their respective races, signaling a potential shift in the city's approach to real estate policies.
April 17, 2023
Ken Fisher is quoted in a Commercial Observer article on key issues facing the real estate industry, including rising construction costs and affordability concerns. The article discusses Governor Kathy Hochul’s and Mayor Eric Adams’ support for the real estate industry while emphasizing the need for affordable housing and infrastructure investments.
March 21, 2023
Ken Fisher, a member of the firm’s Business Law Department and Public Strategies group, and Stuart Shorenstein, Managing Director of New York Public Strategies, have been named to City & State’s New York’s 2023 Law Power 100.
March 13, 2023
Ken Fisher is quoted an article in The Real Deal that addresses the uncertainties Signature Bank customers face as federal regulators restrict deposits over $250,000 and its implications for the bank’s real estate customers.
March 01, 2023
Ken Fisher is quoted in Crain’s New York in an article discussing the fate of the Garment District, located in Midtown Manhattan, as City Council continues to hold hearings to determine if the city should use commercial vacancy to create more 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 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, was named to City & State New York’s Real Estate Power 100.
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.
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.
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."
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
May 28, 2025
Ken Fisher discusses think tanks for decision makers in government policy in amNY.
April 23, 2025
Ken Fisher authored a column for amNY Law examining New York City’s mayoral succession process.
March 26, 2025
Ken Fisher authored a column in AmLaw NY analyzing the far-reaching influence of New York City’s budget director, Jacques Jiha, Ph.D., and his central role in the Adams administration.
February 07, 2025
Ken Fisher discusses the persistent housing shortage in New York City in amNY.
October 29, 2024
Ken Fisher calls for repealing a New York City rule that prevents private development of dormitories in amNY.
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.
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.