Recent News:
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.
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 one of Brooklyn's Power 50 by City & State.
Ken served as a member of the New York City Council from 1991-2001 (D-Brooklyn). He also served as founding chair of the New York City Chapter of the New York League of Conservation Voters and was founding chair of the board of directors of the Governors Island Alliance. Ken is a fellow of the Urban Design Forum and, in 2018, was elected to a two-year term on board of directors of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
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
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.
February 01, 2018
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, discusses Brooklyn Multiple Listing Service’s (MLS) increase in memberships in the recent years despite losing the benefits from the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) membership in The Real Deal.
January 16, 2018
Cozen O’Connor member Kenneth Fisher has been selected by City & State New York as a 2018 recipient of the publication’s annual 50 Over Fifty Awards: The Age Disruptors.
January 02, 2018
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, discusses the anticipated election of Corey Johnson as New York City Council Speaker in City&State New York.
January 02, 2018
Ken Fisher, a member of the firm's Public Strategies Group, was quoted in City and State New York's article, "Why The Bronx and Queens Once are Once Again Selecting NYC’s Next Council Speaker."
December 05, 2017
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Public Strategies group, discussed the varying infrastructure priorities of New Yorkers Donald Trump, Andrew Cuomo, and Bill de Blasio in New York Real Estate Journal.
November 07, 2017
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Practice Group, discusses Bill de Blasio’s predicted second-term win as New York City’s Mayor, in the Commercial Observer.
November 01, 2017
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, discussed the importance of choosing a strong Speaker of New York City Council, after the contenders made their cases at a Crain’s forum.
August 17, 2017
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, discusses the new zoning plan in Manhattan’s Great East Midtown district in a Q&A in the Commercial Property Executive.
July 31, 2017
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, discusses the advantages of obtaining a law degree for policymakers and others in public service in City & State New York.
March 01, 2017
Ken Fisher discusses the estimated $1 trillion worth of infrastructure that is a Trump administration priority in The Real Deal.
January 16, 2017
Ken Fisher discusses his client’s efforts to develop a former elementary school in New York City’s East Village into private dorms in a WCBS TV interview.
January 11, 2017
Ken Fisher discusses his client’s plan to develop a former New York City elementary school into private Adelphi University dorms in Crain’s New York Business.
January 01, 2017
Ken Fisher discusses the slow growth of infrastructure in emerging New York City neighborhoods in The Real Deal.
December 30, 2016
Ken Fisher discusses a taxpayer-funded video released by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office in New York Daily News.
November 15, 2016
Ken Fisher will be recognized among the Brooklyn Power 50 by City & State at the Borough 50 Series.
November 11, 2016
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, discusses why New York City infrastructure can not keep up with gentrification in Brick Underground.
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.
September 22, 2016
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Business Law Department, was among the 2016 honorees at City & State Report’s CSR Awards on September 22, 2016.
August 13, 2016
Ken Fisher addressed the public’s concern surrounding a new refuge center in Williamsburg, NY, at a local community meeting.
August 02, 2016
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice Group, discusses the effect above-ground trains have on apartment prices on BrickUnderground.com.
July 05, 2016
Ken Fisher discusses how Hillary Clinton can move on after the FBI's email probe decision with CBS2 New York.
June 25, 2016
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate department and Public Strategies group, discusses Mayor de Blasio’s efforts to maintain mayoral control of New York City schools in the New York Daily News.
April 13, 2016
Ken Fisher discusses the history of New York primary elections on CNN.
March 15, 2016
Ken Fisher discusses a compromise crafted by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito on housing proposals.
January 18, 2016
Ken Fisher discusses New York City's ongoing struggle to agree on a prevailing wage requirement in an Engineering News Record article.
December 03, 2015
Kenneth K. Fisher, a member of the firm’s Real Estate Department and Public Strategies Group, discusses the potential repercussions of the 421-a tax abatement program expiring.
November 24, 2015
Ken Fisher discussed new regulations for political consulting firms in New York to register as lobbyists and disclose their clients and income to the public.
October 20, 2015
Ken Fisher is quoted in CityLand discussing the Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing on designating New York City's Greenwood Cemetery and Fairway Apartments as landmarks.
October 13, 2015
Ken Fisher is quoted in Brooklyn Daily on the proposal to landmark New York's historic Green-Wood cemetery.
October 07, 2015
Ken Fisher is quoted in Real Estate Weekly on the potential expiration of New York City's 421-a tax abatement program.
October 07, 2015
Ken Fisher is quoted in Commercial Observer on incorporating the ability to build higher than zoning allows when it comes to air rights on New York City landmarks.
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.
August 31, 2015
Ken Fisher discusses the approaching deadline to cut a pivotal deal on construction incentives and wages for construction workers.
July 14, 2015
In an article titled “Supreme Court Ruling Puts NYC Affordable Housing Plan in Peril,” Cozen O’Connor attorney, and former New York City Council member, Kenneth Fisher, discusses the implications of the June 25, 2015, ruling. The new decision requires anyone challenging an affordable housing policy as a violation of the Fair Housing Act to prove only that the policy itself is discriminatory.
July 02, 2015
Ken Fisher comments on the potential legal challenges related to the 421-a tax exemption program in a Crain’s New York Business article. The article discusses developers’ concerns over the re-vamped 421-a tax exemption program for housing, particularly a provision allowing the Real Estate Board of New York and the building trades to negotiate the program’s wage mandate for construction workers.
June 17, 2015
Ken Fisher was quoted in a Real Estate Weekly article that discusses the 421-a tax abatement program and rent regulations in New York State that expired on June 15, 2015, leaving the State Legislature at an impasse on numerous points. The deadlock will make a last minute deal more unlikely, with the last day of the legislative session for the year quickly approaching.
June 05, 2015
Ken Fisher was quoted in The New York Times in an article addressing the redevelopment of Midtown Manhattan’s historic architectural buildings, and how the designation of being a preserved landmark building is made. The article explores how New York City’s expanding real estate landscape is creating challenges for preservation societies, who work to protect historical buildings throughout the city.
June 02, 2015
Ken Fisher, a member in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, discussed New York City’s 421-a tax exemption on WNYC radio. In the piece, Ken addresses how the New York City Department of Buildings has been handling the influx of applications.
March 05, 2015
Ken Fisher Quoted in Crain's New York Regarding Halletts A Development Co. Project in Queens, NY
March 01, 2015
Ken Fisher, a member of the Government & Regulatory and the Real Estate Practice Groups, is quoted in Crain's New York in an article discussing New York Mayor Bill de Blasio clashing with city counsel over power.
September 23, 2014
The 2014 New York Metro edition of Super Lawyers Magazine, published by Thomson Reuters, has named 16 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its list of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
July 25, 2014
Ken Fisher, of the Real Estate Practice Group, was recently quoted in a Crain's New York article titled, "Rich-door, Poor-door Debate Heats Up." The article examines the remarks of Gale Brewer, the Manhattan borough president, calling for an end to "segmented" condo buildings that were built using incentives for creating affordable housing. In the article, Ken offers his view on the situation by stating, "The state and the city really don't have many programs to spur the creation of affordable for-sale housing and Mayor Bill de Blasio's plans appear more focused on creating affordable rental housing."
July 15, 2014
Ken Fisher, of the Real Estate Practice Group, was recently quoted in the Commercial Observer regarding the lis pendens that the newly opened Long Island City/Manhattan View extended-stay hotel has received. Ken Fisher represents Jab Rad, the managing partner of the property. Ken offered his remarks by stating the property "will be vigorously defended."
May 29, 2014
Ken Fisher, of the New York City office’s business law department, was quoted in a New York Law Journal article titled, “Candidates for Brooklyn D.A. Reprise Themes From Primary.” In the article Ken offers his remarks regarding Brooklyn’s D.A., Charles Hynes. Ken is quoted as saying Hynes, “was an innovative prosecutor whose policies helped bring down crime, not just in Brooklyn, but across the country.”
February 10, 2014
Ken Fisher, of the Government & Regulatory and the Real Estate Practice Groups, was quoted in a Crain's New York Business article titled, "City Hall's New 'In' Crowd." The article examines how the first Latina City Council speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, was elected in New York. The lobbyists that support Mark-Viverito are mentioned by Ken Fisher as he says, "Anytime a story is written saying a lobbyist is close to a politician, they raise their rates."
January 27, 2014
Ken Fisher, of the Government & Regulatory and the Real Estate Practice Groups, was quoted in a Crain's New York Business article titled, "A Glimmer of Hope on City Council for Developers." The article examines David Greenfield and his role as chair of the Committee on Land Use on the New York City Council. Fisher offers his remarks on Greenfield by stating, "The power of the job comes in helping to shape the debate."
December 10, 2013
Bill de Blasio will become the 109th mayor of the city of New York. As different as de Blasio and Bloomberg are in experience and ideology, so too is the city at these points of time.
November 25, 2013
Ken Fisher, of the New York City office and Real Estate Practice Group, was mentioned in a Capital New York article titled, "Controversial Magnate Pokes Holes in Bloomberg's Styrofoam Ban." The article explains the financed lobbying effort the City Council successfully pushed to alter Michael Bloomberg's bill to ban the use of styrofoam in food establishments.
November 04, 2013
Ken Fisher, of the Real Estate Practice Group, was quoted in a New York Law Journal article titled,
September 30, 2013
Ken Fisher, of the Real Estate Practice Group, was quoted in a Crain's New York Business article titled, "Big Election Spender Eyes Albany." In the article, Ken offers his remarks by stating, "The nexus of their agendas is encouraging development and making sure there's a favorable regulatory environment for that."
September 23, 2013
Ken Fisher, of the Real Estate Practice Group, was quoted in a Crain's New York Business article on mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio's proposed policy for New York City.
September 19, 2013
Ken Fisher, of the Real Estate Practice Group, was quoted in The New York Times. Fisher offered his remarks on the current stage of the race in New York City.
September 12, 2013
Ken Fisher, of the Real Estate Practice Group, was quoted in a Crain's New York Business article titled,
September 12, 2013
Ken Fisher, of the Real Estate Practice Group, was quoted in a New York Times article titled,
September 06, 2013
Ken Fisher, of the Real Estate Practice Group, was recently quoted in a City & State article titled,
August 26, 2013
Ken, of the firm's Real Estate Department, is quoted in the article
May 01, 2013
In an article titled, "Midtown West, Tribeca, Chelsea Rank as Manhattan 'Hoods with Steepest Inventory Plunge," Ken Fisher of the firm's Business Law Department is quoted with regards to surging residential sales in New York City. Ken notes, "Low crime rates, improved subways and more family-friendly amenities are among the factors fueling the city’s popularity."
March 25, 2013
Fisher of the Business Law Department discusses Marty Markowitz, the Borough President of Brooklyn, NY.
December 16, 2012
Ken Fisher was quoted in the New York Post regarding the demise of Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez, which could finally lead to a political compromise in the on-going battle that has been going on for years among the Satmar Hasidim in Brooklyn.
October 16, 2012
Ken Fisher was quoted in the City & State article titled "City & State’s Rising Stars Glimmer At Night" regarding their "Rising Stars" event which recognized its 40 under 40 honorees.
September 20, 2012
Ken Fisher quoted in the New York Times
August 09, 2012
Ken Fisher featured in The Commercial Observer
July 15, 2012
Ken Fisher quoted in Crain’s New York Business
April 18, 2012
Ken Fisher quoted in Capital Tonight
March 22, 2012
Ken Fisher's program "CityWide" featured in New York Daily News
October 10, 2011
Ken Fisher quoted in the Capital
October 03, 2011
Ken Fisher quoted in the Capital New York
September 10, 2011
Kenneth Fisher was quoted in the Wall Street Journal
September 22, 2009
Cozen O’Connor Launches Public Strategies LLC - New Entity Offers Enhanced Government Relations Assistance in Public Policy Advocacy, Regulatory Compliance and Contract Procurement
Publications
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.
December 05, 2017
Ken Fisher, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department, discusses the varying infrastructure priorities of New Yorkers Donald Trump, Andrew Cuomo, and Bill de Blasio, in New York Real Estate Journal.
June 01, 2017
Ken Fisher discusses key current proposals that could set the stage for the next wave of growth in Brooklyn.
December 14, 2016
Ken Fisher discusses methods for Donald Trump’s business organization to avoid conflicts of interest in Crain’s New York Business.
December 06, 2016
Ken Fisher discusses the potential impact of Donald Trump’s presidency on New York’s design professionals in the New York Real Estate Journal.
December 08, 2015
Ken Fisher, a member of the firm’s Business Law Department, discusses the forecast for New York City’s future infrastructure and development efforts. Ken addresses funding transportation and major infrastructure projects throughout the city, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Tappan Zee Bridge and LaGuardia Airport.
December 08, 2014
Ken Fisher, a member in the firm's Business Law Department, discusses New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo impact on infrastructure and real estate development in New York City.
September 19, 2013
Members of New York City’s Congressional delegation, long relegated to the sidelines of local politics, are increasingly filling the void left by the declining influence of political party apparatchiks.
February 14, 2012
Innovation gains ground even with contracts under microscope - New York Real Estate Journal - Even in the best of times, the use of outside contractors by government can be controversial, with public employee unions clamoring for more work to be brought in house. These, however, are not the best of times. The city, state and country all continue to suffer from the deep impacts of the Great Recession. Although New York City seems to have weathered the storm better than many metropolitan areas, budgets continue to be cut while infrastructure needs remain unmet.
October 15, 2010
The Developers' To-Do List While Waiting for Money to Thaw - Real Estate Alert! - Tempting though it may be to spend time and effort on projects and tasks that got shunted aside during the heyday of the last real estate boom, but never went away, or on non-business pursuits, this is a perfect time -- even a critical time -- to position yourself and your businesses for the next economy. Please call us for additional suggestions, implementation advice, or just a good sounding board for your own ideas.
February 22, 2010
Government Ethics Reform: A Work in Progress - New York Law Journal - There seems to be a widespread consensus that the public's lack of trust in the political
process should be a genuine concern for both officials and advocates. However, elected
officials at all levels struggle with avoiding compromising situations and appearances,
while not stifling the free flow of information and political relationships which inform the
democratic process.
October 01, 2009
New York – Home To Our Nation’s Capital Markets - Metropolitan Corporate Counsel - The Editor interviews Kenneth Fisher
and William Rosoff, members of the
business law department at Cozen
O’Connor.