News:
The firm is pleased to announce three of Canada’s leading real estate lawyers — Enzo Sallese, Steven I. Pearlstein, and Andrea Wong — will join its fast-growing North American Real Estate practice. More
Cozen O’Connor has earned its place among the nation’s top-rated real estate firms over the last two decades. We are widely recognized for our ability to complete complex real estate transactions, utilize the most current and sophisticated deal structures, and achieve client success when the stakes are high.
Cozen O’Connor represents REITs and other public companies, regional and national developers, owners, builders, managers, private equity funds, institutional and private investors, banks, and governments in the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, ground leasing, management, and sale of real estate in every asset class. With a real estate practice group that includes more than 70 attorneys in nine offices who are regularly supported by members of our corporate, litigation, tax, and environmental groups, Cozen O’Connor provides comprehensive, integrated service to some of the largest real estate organizations in the country.
Cozen O’Connor has strategically developed a full-service real estate practice. We know clients require access to a wide range of practice areas, and we believe our work in each area is enhanced by taking a multidisciplinary approach. Our lawyers regularly represent clients in the areas of:
Our team includes real estate practitioners who have been ranked by Chambers & Partners and recognized as “rising stars” and top regional dealmakers. They have previous experience as in-house counsel, and government counsel, which provides them with valuable insights into the needs and interests of both clients and regulators.
In every representation, Cozen O’Connor differentiates itself by a clear-eyed focus on client business objectives and marketplace realities. Rather than belaboring the “can’t-dos” and “better-nots,” the firm’s real estate attorneys find a way to get results.
SERVICES
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Lead acquisition and disposition of all real estate asset classes
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Counsel on development and construction of mixed-use, multi-phase projects
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Negotiate debt financing on behalf of borrowers and lenders
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Arrange joint venture and other equity investment transactions
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Lead public-private real estate projects
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Conduct commercial, industrial, and retail leasing for both landlords and tenants
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Structure tax-efficient real estate transactions
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Procure land use, zoning, special legislation, and other entitlements
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Negotiate workouts, restructurings, and acquisitions of distressed debt
CLIENTS
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Developers of and investors in residential, retail, office, and industrial properties
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Global corporations
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Hotel developers and investors
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Health care facilities
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Life sciences and laboratory facilities
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Building management companies
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Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
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Pension funds and other institutional and private equity investors
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Banks, lending institutions, and real estate brokerage firms
TEAM
The Cozen O’Connor team is made up of noted real estate practitioners. Both the practice and individual attorneys are ranked by Chambers & Partners USA. Moreover, members of the department have previous experience as in-house counsel and government counsel, which means they are adept at seeing things from a client perspective.
During the last decade, many large law firms have made the decision to focus strictly on the finance side of the real estate industry. Cozen O’Connor has taken a markedly different approach. We continue to invest in building a full-service national real estate practice because we believe all participants in this sector deserve and demand the most sophisticated counsel. Where others may see limitations, we see opportunities.
September 30, 2024
Steven Katkov and Matthew Sacchetta discuss FinCEN's final rule requiring real estate professionals to report information about non-financed, residential real estate transfers to combat money laundering.
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.
September 04, 2024
Dan Schulder discusses the PA Commonwealth Court's ruling that Goodwill Industries is entitled to a real estate tax exemption and does not compete with commercial enterprises.
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 11, 2024
Leni Cummins discusses a new New York state law restricting evictions that will require landlords, including coops and condos, to include an updated notice in leases starting August 18, 2024.
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 25, 2024
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, NYC property owners may not deny a housing interest to someone based on their criminal history, with limited exceptions. Leni Cummins discusses.
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.
May 01, 2024
Chris McLoon discusses the U.S. Treasury's new rules for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which will affect how foreign investors are taxed.
April 29, 2024
Steven Katkov, Tom Casparian, and Chris Josten discuss the April 12 California Supreme Court ruling in Sheetz v. El Dorado County that affects how local governments can impose conditions on property developers.
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 12, 2024
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) issued a proposed update expanding its mitigation and enforcement provisions and increasing the maximum penalties.
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 22, 2024
The U.S. federal district court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) unconstitutional, finding it exceeded Congress's authority, prompting a Justice Department appeal.
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.
January 18, 2024
Most cooperatives and some condominiums must now report personal information about their beneficial owners to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act. Jennifer Miller, Steve Katkov, Larry Laubach, Leni Cummins discuss.
January 10, 2024
Leni Cummins, Jennifer Miller, Rachel Soloman, and Anthony Riverso discuss the complexities surrounding the recent amendments to Section 756-a and Section 756-c.
December 11, 2023
On December 6, 2023, the New York City Council approved the first of Mayor Adams’ three “City of Yes” zoning initiatives.
December 01, 2023
Jennifer Miller discusses new New York legislation aimed at increasing transparency regarding the risk of flood damage and availability of insurance.
October 09, 2023
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss the New York City Department of Buildings' proposed new rules to clarify "good faith efforts."
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.
May 24, 2023
Matt Weinstein discusses the legal issues surrounding the lease that need to be evaluated and addressed when considering a conversion of office space to life science space in Area Development.
May 10, 2023
The U.S. Supreme Court recently overruled lower courts in a dispute involving Sears' $10/year lease at the Mall of America.
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.
March 02, 2023
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Williams discuss New York City's Local Law 18 that requires owners and/or renters who want to rent out their residential units for less than 30 days to register with the New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement.
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.
November 15, 2022
This regulation will require most business entities created in or registered to do business in the U.S. to report personal identifiable information about their beneficial owners to FinCEN.
November 02, 2022
Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke introduced legislation that would institute mandatory inclusionary zoning in a portion of his district.
October 24, 2022
CFIUS' new set of guidelines point to a potentially heightened enforcement environment in their efforts to protect U.S. national security interests.
September 21, 2022
President Biden signed an Executive Order connecting the work of the CFIUS to national security aims beyond the traditional defense industrial base.
September 20, 2022
The City of Philadelphia has extended the deadline for the filing of a first level review of real estate assessment appeals to October 14, 2022.
July 27, 2022
An amendment to the Condominium Act authorizes a board of managers of a condominium to allow unit owner meetings to be conducted electronically.
June 13, 2022
The New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR) has issued final regulations for housing providers to comply with New York Executive Law Sec. 170-d.
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.
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.
January 11, 2022
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss legislation Governor Hochul signed to exempt condos and coops from the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act.
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 22, 2021
Steve Katkov discusses Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's new uniform instruments (notes, security instruments, and riders) for use with loans to make them eligible for purchase by the corporations.
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.
May 04, 2021
Steve Katkov and Amy Katz discuss the CFPB interim final rule and First Amendment challenges to the CDC moratorium currently pending.
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 02, 2021
Leni Cummins addresses the challenges arising for New York City condominium boards and unit-owners as they navigate construction delays and apartment alteration agreement deadlines in Habitat.
March 31, 2021
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss New York Senate Bill S867 that requires every housing provider to provide written notice to all tenants and prospective tenants of their rights to request reasonable modifications and accommodations in connection with certain disabilities recognized under New York law.
March 22, 2021
Matthew Weinstein and Harrison Haas discuss how climate change impacts the real estate industry and the ways property owners, developers, governmental authorities, and others intend to tackle the perceived effect of climate change.
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.
March 01, 2021
Leni Cummins addresses if a statute of limitation exists for a request approved by a condominium board, that granted the homeowner permission to increase the height of a balcony enclosure in The Cooperator.
February 12, 2021
Steve Katkov and Joel Nesset discuss provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act that narrowly target companies to assist those that have filed for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code by temporarily modifying the rules governing a tenant’s performance under its leases.
February 09, 2021
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss what boards of coops and condos need to consider when implementing a vaccination policy for their buildings now that vaccines are becoming more available.
February 03, 2021
David Tiger discusses the Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax Amendment Act of 2020, which took effect on January 1, 2021, and directly imposes the 8.25% unincorporated business franchise tax on a limited liability company, partnership, or other unincorporated business with respect to any gain from the sale of the business’s District of Columbia real property, even if such property constitutes all of the property of the entity located in the District of Columbia.
January 21, 2021
Steve Katkov discusses the Treasury and the IRS final regulations governing tax-deferred exchanges of like-kind real property under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. These final regulations address revisions to Code Section 1031 enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
December 22, 2020
In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Act), which the House and Senate passed on December 21, the Small Business Act was amended to make cooperative housing corporations eligible for PPP loans.
October 30, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jen Miller discuss New York City's authorization to reopen indoor pools.
October 07, 2020
Rebecca Eschen discusses why deed-in-a-box transactions are particularly well-suited for the COVID-era economic instability.
September 22, 2020
Leni Morrison Cummins and Jennifer Miller co-authored an article published in Habitat Magazine addressing the circumstances under which a condominium board may be held responsible for the cost of repairs to a unit.
September 08, 2020
Mitchell Poole authored an article published by Law360 that examines the unique business and legal issues that distinguish student housing from traditional multifamily housing facilities, and discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified those issues and affected the economics of off-campus student housing.
September 03, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss what condo and coop boards need to know before reopening gyms and fitness centers.
August 21, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss the conflicting guidance regarding opening indoor pools in New York City.
July 15, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller update New York City condo and coop owners and boards with the latest guidance from the Empire State Development Corporation.
July 09, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss the Empire State Development Corporation's guidance for private pools and fitness centers.
July 07, 2020
Bill Davis discusses the deal competition confronting real estate funds in the months ahead as private real estate fund strategies turn to distressed assets in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn.
June 05, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss changes to governing documents condo and coop boards should make that better equip themselves for this new reality.
June 02, 2020
Adam Silvermann discusses a variety of issues and provisions landlords (and tenants) should consider when crafting a lease forbearance agreement during the COVID-19 crisis.
May 27, 2020
Adam Silverman discusses some provisions worth considering in new lease documents in the COVID-19 era.
May 06, 2020
Menachem J. Kastner, Emily Shoor, and Andrew Punzo discuss the case law behind New York courts applying the common law doctrines of Impossibility of Performance and Frustration of Purpose narrowly and strictly and only in limited circumstances.
April 10, 2020
Thomas J. Gallagher and Dennis L. Cohen discuss the intricacies of section 467 lease agreements and the surprising and unexpected consequences.
April 08, 2020
Leni Cummins gives an update on condo and coop eligibility for Paycheck Protection Program loans following the SBA's Interim Final Rule.
April 07, 2020
Steve Katkov and Jon Schoenwetter discuss fair chance housing ordinances in Seattle, Minneapolis, and Oakland Calif., and the case Yim v. City of Seattle challenging the constitutionality of these ordinances.
April 07, 2020
Tom Gallagher and Dennis Cohen provide borrowers and lenders with some of the significant tax issues presented by attempts to restructure and renegotiate debtor/creditor relationships, whether by modifying the terms of the economic arrangement or restructuring the arrangement in its entirety.
April 02, 2020
Leni Cummins, David Hackett, and Marty Schrier discuss how property owners and condo and coop boards can take advantage of programs in FFCRA and the CARES Act.
March 31, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss the Department of Building's guidance following Governor Cuomo's order halting all non-essential construction in New York.
March 30, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller review ESD's guidance shutting down all non-essential construction in New York.
March 28, 2020
Members of Cozen O'Connor's Coronavirus Task Force provide analysis of the CARES Act and how it will impact small businesses, distressed industries, employers and employees, taxes, and the health care, real estates, and energy industries.
March 26, 2020
Stuart Shorenstein, Katie Schwab, Jamie Ansorge, and Evan Preminger discuss EC 202.9, requiring New York state-regulated financial institutions to provide mortgage forbearance for residential properties located in New York for 90 days and to eliminate ATM fees, overdraft fees, and credit card late payment fees.
March 25, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss why boards should consider postponing meetings or holding meetings virtually.
March 24, 2020
Marnie Kudon discusses how commercial landlords should navigate tenants' requests to terminate or modify their leases.
March 20, 2020
Erin Szulewski provides an update on what businesses are considered essential in Pennsylvania when following Governor Wolf's mandate for all non-essential businesses to close.
March 20, 2020
Erin Szulewski answers commercial property owners' questions about Pennsylvania's business closure mandate.
March 19, 2020
Leni Cummins discusses what condo and coop owners and managers need to know about the SHIELD Act.
March 18, 2020
Christian Bruno, Matt Robbins, Jon Schoenwetter, and Erin Szulewski discuss the impact the COVID-19 outbreak is having on commercial real estate assets whose tenant occupants are experiencing complete or partial shutdown of their business operations.
March 16, 2020
Paul Rutter discusses what property owners need to do now in relation to their properties and the coronavirus.
March 13, 2020
Meridith Moldenhauer discusses systems that may be impacted by D.C. mayor's decision to operate under a telework schedule beginning March 16.
March 09, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller outline how property owners, managers, and boards should prepare themselves for the coronavirus.
March 06, 2020
Steve Katkov and Jon Schoenwetter discuss components of Minneapolis’s urban planning initiative designed to combat the affordable housing crisis.
March 05, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss the New York City Department of Buildings expanded the requirements of its Façade Inspection and Safety Program, previously known as Local Law 11.
February 26, 2020
Steven P. Katkov and Jon Schoenwetter discuss rent control measures throughout the United States.
February 24, 2020
Benjamin A. Bomrind, Anne M. Madonia, and Joshua C. Weinberger discuss this discontinuation of LIBOR and how clients should prepare.
February 11, 2020
Leni Cummins discusses the governor's pocket veto of Bill S6219/A8082, which proposes requiring New York coops and condos to certify that their service employees are paid a prevailing wage to avail their shareholders and unit owners of the benefits of the state’s Cooperative and Condominium Tax Abatement.
February 05, 2020
Leni Cummins discusses the settlement reached with laundry machine provider CSC and who may benefit.
January 30, 2020
Alex DuFour and Jackson Siegal discuss what DC LLCs and LLCs doing business in the District of Columbia need to know when filing new entity filings and biennial reports.
January 09, 2020
James Van Orden and Matthew Robbins discuss what commercial building owners need to know about the Building Energy Performance Policy bill signed into law by Mayor Kenny.
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.
November 07, 2019
Leni Cummins discusses self-dealing sponsor issues in a special issue of Habitat magazine, titled “Seeking Counsel,” which profiles top condo and co-op attorneys.
September 04, 2024
Best Lawyers Canada has named 17 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from the firm’s Toronto and Vancouver offices in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada.
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
The list will appear in the July/August 2024 issue of Minnesota Monthly
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 26, 2024
Leni Cummins was quoted in a Habitat magazine article responding to a question regarding boards for co-ops being required to account for their use of funds. Her response was previously published in the New York Times “Ask Real Estate” column.
June 24, 2024
Ken Fisher was 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.
June 18, 2024
Leni Cummins was quoted in a New York Times “Ask Real Estate” article responding to a question regarding boards for co-ops being required to account for their use of funds.
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.”
April 24, 2024
Ken Fisher was quoted in a Law360 article discussing the housing provisions in New York’s latest budget.
April 09, 2024
Matthew I. Weinstein, chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Lease Restructuring Group, has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.
April 08, 2024
Nellany joins Cozen O’Connor as a member and will reside in its New York City office. She is the fifth major addition to the firm’s Real Estate Group this year.
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 25, 2024
Leni Cummins appears on CNN to discuss what could happen to Donald Trump’s properties if New York State Attorney General Letitia James decides to seize Trump’s assets in lieu of the $454 million fine Trump said he cannot meet.
March 24, 2024
Leni Cummins was quoted in a New York Times article discussing former President Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial and what the judgment means for his properties.
March 20, 2024
Ken Fisher was 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.
March 15, 2024
“This is a group of terrific lawyers across many offices and practices areas and we look forward to following their achievements,” said Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Heller.
March 11, 2024
Srinivasan joins as a senior principal with Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies and will work closely with Cozen O’Connor’s award-winning international real estate practice.
February 29, 2024
James Billings-Kang has been named a fellow for 2024. Tatiana Mejia-Uribe and Elizabeth Olivera have been LCLD pathfinders.
January 29, 2024
Enzo Sallese, Steven I. Pearlstein, and Andrea Wong — will join its fast-growing North American Real Estate practice.
January 12, 2024
Los Angeles attorney Susan A. Grueneberg and Santa Monica attorneys Thomas W. Casparian and Paul S. Rutter to its 2024 Southern California Super Lawyers list.
December 06, 2023
PITTSBURGH, December 6, 2023 – Jeffrey A. Mills, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been appointed to the Washington County Commissioner’s transition team by Commissioner Nick Sherman and Commissioner-Elect Electra Janis. Mills and other transition team members have been tasked with assessing the efficiency of the county's government.
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 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.
August 08, 2023
Steve Katkov discusses the challenges associated with the retail real estate market in the cannabis industry, such as the volatility in property prices, the oversaturation of dispensaries in some regions, and the impact of legislation on property acquisition in mg Magazine.
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 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.
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 17, 2023
Thomas G. Wallrich was recognized as a Super Lawyer, and Cassandra Jacobsen and Curt N. Trisko were named Rising Stars.
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.
June 06, 2023
LOS ANGELES, June 6, 2023 — Paul Rutter, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been named to the 2023 LA500 by Los Angeles Business Journal.
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 30, 2023
Super Lawyers has named 14 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2023 Washington D.C. Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
May 24, 2023
Super Lawyers has selected 42 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
May 05, 2023
Scott Bettridge was quoted in Law360 discussing the legislation severely limiting the ownership of Florida property by people and entities from China.
May 01, 2023
Robert Careless, member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice, has been named to Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list. The list recognizes “40 remarkable individuals who are leaving an imprint on the region.”
May 01, 2023
Lindsay Miller, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate practice, was named a 2023 Woman of Influence by GlobeSt.
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 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.
February 07, 2023
Super Lawyers has named Los Angeles attorneys Susan A. Grueneberg and Donald C. Nanney and Santa Monica attorneys Thomas W. Casparian, Jonathan S. Gross, and Paul S. Rutter to its 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers list.
January 02, 2023
Steve Katkov is quoted in a Law360 article discussing significant 2023 real estate litigation cases.
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.
December 14, 2022
Leni Morrison Cummins is quoted in a Bisnow article that addresses the recent rise in the number of fires caused by malfunctioning batteries and chargers for electronic bikes in New York City. In the article, Leni discusses what this means for building boards and property owners. Research shows that e-bike sales increased by 145% during the pandemic and have caused serious safety concerns.
November 30, 2022
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recognized Cozen O’Connor as a “Best Law Firm” in 30 practice areas nationwide and 115 practice areas regionally.
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.
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.
August 10, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS, August 10, 2022 — Minneapolis attorney Jon Schoenwetter, an associate in Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been named a 2022 “Up & Coming” attorney by Minnesota Lawyer magazine.
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 16, 2022
Steve Katkov is quoted in a Finance and Commerce article discussing a court ruling in connection with one of the country's most progressive and controversial approaches to city planning, the Minneapolis 2040 Plan.
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.
June 01, 2022
Super Lawyers has selected 49 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
May 25, 2022
Ziefert brings a 20-plus-year track record of successfully representing developers, private equity funds, large investors, and institutional lenders in complex real estate investment and development transactions.
May 02, 2022
Pashman, who focuses on condominium, cooperative, and homeowners’ association disputes, joins the firm as a member and will take up residence in the firm’s Manhattan office located at 3 World Trade Center
April 18, 2022
William Davis served as a judge for the Real Estate Board of New York's Sales Brokers Most Ingenious Deal of the Year Awards.
April 04, 2022
Biomeme, Inc., represented by Beth Kearney, was awarded Best Office Lease in Philadelphia Business Journal's 2021 Best Real Estate Deal Awards.
February 28, 2022
Richard has joined the New York Office located at 3 World Trade Center as a member.
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.’”
February 07, 2022
Philadelphia, February 7, 2022 – Cozen O'Connor represented affiliates of Equus Capital Partners, Ltd. in the acquisition of a portfolio of industrial properties throughout the Southeast and Sun Belt.
January 26, 2022
Zach Samton is quoted in an article in the Commercial Property Executive that discusses the fate of Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities (CMBS) in 2022.
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 20, 2022
Super Lawyers has named eight Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2022 Southern California Super Lawyers list.
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 20, 2021
Leni Cummins discusses what condominium and cooperative boards should disclose to its shareholders, and when boards should do so in Habitat.
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 30, 2021
Thomas P. Witt, a member of the Real Estate Practice at Cozen O’Connor, will receive the Harris Ominsky Award at the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Real Property Section’s Annual Meeting on November 30, 2021.
November 24, 2021
Leni Cummins discusses the recent bill signed by Governor Kathy Hochul that will require co-op and condo boards to pay prevailing wages to their building staffers in order to receive the coveted property tax abatement in Habitat Magazine.
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 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 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.
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 02, 2021
Alex DuFour addresses the changes being made by the Biden administration regarding the Section 1031 exchange program in Law360.
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 21, 2021
Zach Samton is quoted in a Wealth Management Real Estate article discussing potential refinancing challenges confronting CMBS borrowers as their debt reaches maturity.
June 16, 2021
Ken Fisher discusses the race to elect a new mayor who will lead the city forward in Cooperator News New York.
June 03, 2021
Leni Cummins discusses the push to mandate the COVID vaccine for public-facing employees such as doormen and concierge throughout New York City in New York Magazine’s Curbed.
May 28, 2021
Super Lawyers has selected 47 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
May 27, 2021
Alex DuFour addresses possible transactional changes in 2022 and beyond should the Biden administration’s plan to raise the capital gains tax rate and do away with deferred taxes on property exchanges become law in CoStar.
May 26, 2021
Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 82 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2021 edition; of those, 15 lawyers have been recognized nationally.
May 16, 2021
Steve Katkov discusses the potential increase in commercial real estate activities in New York and New Jersey if marijuana is legalized in those states in CoStar News.
May 06, 2021
Alex DuFour addresses the Biden administration’s proposed changes to capital gains tax rules and its effect on commercial real estate investors in CoStar.
April 23, 2021
Leni Cummins addresses the Elliman Property Management breach and what it means to condominium boards and their employees in The Real Deal.
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 20, 2021
Cozen O'Connor represented affiliates of Equus Capital Partners, Ltd. in a multi-tiered transaction that included the sale of two portfolios of industrial properties throughout the Southeastern United States.
April 19, 2021
Ken Fisher discusses the likelihood of the Gowanus rezoning project proceeding in Crain’s New York Business.
April 14, 2021
Steve Katkov discusses how towns in New Jersey and New York can block the growth of the marijuana business in CoStar News.
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.
March 12, 2021
As the number of New Yorkers eligible to receive the vaccine continues to grow, Leni Cummins addresses whether condo and co-op boards discussions on mandating that building workers be inoculated is within a board’s rights in The Real Deal.
March 08, 2021
Knipe has spent the past 15 years with Silverstein Properties, serving in the capacity of chief legal officer and corporate secretary, and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center properties after 9/11.
February 23, 2021
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss whether boards can require employees hired directly by the condo or co-op to get a COVID-19 in order to maintain employment in The Cooperator.
February 06, 2021
Leni Cummins discusses important considerations for New York coops as boards begin to discuss whether building staff, as well as periodic workers such as contractors or housekeepers, will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine in The New York Times.
February 02, 2021
Six Cozen O'Connor attorneys have been honored by the South Florida Legal Guide for their work in South Florida over the last year.
December 22, 2020
Leni Morrison Cummins, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been named a 2021 Notable Woman in Law by Crain’s New York Business.
December 03, 2020
Thomas Lombardi, member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, was co-chair of the 2020 Crocker Commercial Real Estate Symposium, while Danielle Hvolka, member of the firm’s Real Estate Group, spoke on a panel.
December 01, 2020
Leni Cummins discusses whether cooperatives are required to pay employees who take a vacation in a state listed on New York's COVID-19 quarantine list, therefore requiring the employee to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return in The Cooperator.
November 30, 2020
Matt Weinstein discusses with FSR Magazine the potential increase in real estate opportunities as restaurants look for property as companies begin to bounce back from COVID-19.
November 10, 2020
Leni Cummins discusses the challenges confronting New York City condominiums and coops with retail property in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in The Real Deal.
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.
November 05, 2020
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recognized Cozen O’Connor as a “Best Law Firm” in 25 practice areas nationwide and 115 practice areas regionally.
November 04, 2020
Leni Morrison Cummins was quoted in an article published in The Real Deal titled “Court Puts Condo Investors on the Hook for Shoddy Construction.”
October 20, 2020
New York – October 20, 2020 – Leni Morrison Cummins, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been named a 40 Under 40 Rising Star by City & State New York.
October 19, 2020
Matt Weinstein discusses how the pandemic has caused movie theaters to close and what that means for mall landlords in GlobeSt.
October 13, 2020
In S&P Global Market Intelligence, Matt Weinstein discusses how mall and shopping center landlords are addressing the potential cascade of movie theater closures.
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 20, 2020
Best Lawyers selected 200 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).
August 14, 2020
Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Lease Restructuring Group is highlighted in a recent Law360 article titled, "Lease Restructuring Groups Emerge as Virus Drives Demand."
August 05, 2020
Kenneth Fisher was quoted in an article in City & State New York about the Industry City rezoning application in Brooklyn.
July 09, 2020
Matt Weinstein discusses the formation of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Lease Restructuring Practice, a multidisciplinary team assembled to address the growing needs of landlord and tenant lease renegotiation issues that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic in Law360.
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 06, 2020
Poole, who has for 20-plus years represented general and limited partners investing in national/international real estate funds and joint ventures, joins Cozen O’Connor as a shareholder.
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 23, 2020
Leni Cummins discusses what measures condominium and coop boards should take in preparation for the potential second wave of the coronavirus in The Real Deal.
June 19, 2020
Leni Cummins, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Real Estate Practice, was named a 2020 “On the Rise – Top 40 Lawyer” by the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Young Lawyers Division.
June 15, 2020
Duane Montgomery was featured in the Commercial Observer about a panel he moderated about commercial real estate and COVID-19.
June 12, 2020
Leni Cummins discusses efforts condo and coop boards can take now to protect and prepare themselves for a possible second wave of the virus in Habitat magazine.
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 22, 2020
Steve Katkov, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Real Estate Practice, has been appointed a member at large of the Landlord Tenant Section Council of the Hennepin County Bar Association.
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.
May 14, 2020
Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 63 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2020 edition.
April 08, 2020
Leni Cummins discusses how the CARES Act could impact condos and co-ops in Law360.
April 02, 2020
Leni Cummins, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Real Estate Practice, was named a Real Estate & Construction Trailblazer by the National Law Journal.
March 31, 2020
Leni Cummins is quoted in Habitat Magazine on how condo and co-op boards should handle residents who refuse to comply with social-distancing and self-quarantine edicts.
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 26, 2020
Leni Cummins comments on actions that condo and co-op boards can take if their residents do not follow social distancing or quarantine advisements in The Real Deal.
March 25, 2020
Christian Bruno commented on the impact the coronavirus is having on real estate closings in South Florida in The Real Deal.
March 17, 2020
Leni Cummins comments on how New York City high-rise, residential buildings can manage coronavirus anxiety and potential exposure in The Real Deal.
March 14, 2020
Leni Cummins explains what to do when a co-op shareholder needs to make repairs to her apartment in a New York Times article.
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.
March 09, 2020
Leni Cummins is quoted in the Commercial Observer on the Attorney General’s granted request to extend the deadline to respond to the real estate industry’s lawsuit against the brokers’ fee ban in New York.
February 18, 2020
Leni Cummins comments on the impact of the Department of State’s (DOS) issued guidance on tenant-paid broker fees in the Commercial Observer.
February 14, 2020
Leni Cummins and Jennifer Miller discuss Governor Andrew Cuomo’s pocket-veto of a bill that would have required condominium and cooperative boards to pay building employees a prevailing wage or lose a property tax abatement.
February 13, 2020
Leni Cummins comments on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s pocket-veto of a bill that would remove a property tax abatement from condominium and cooperative homeowners in larger buildings in which building service workers did not receive prevailing wage in an article in The Real Deal.
February 11, 2020
Leni Cummins discusses the temporary injunction against the Department of State’s guidance on tenant-paid broker commissions in an article on GlobeSt.com.
February 07, 2020
Leni Cummins is quoted in Real Estate Weekly on The New York Department of State’s legal guidance on tenant-paid broker fees. As a part of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act that was passed last summer, landlords are now prohibited from charging tenants for broker fees. The real estate industry is challenging the legality of the guidance.
February 06, 2020
Leni Cummins comments on the court’s decision to grant a temporary restraining order against guidance from the Department of State that prevents landlords, in certain circumstances, from collecting broker fees from tenants in a Multi-Housing News article.
February 06, 2020
Leni Cummins explains how new guidance from the New York Department of State could impact landlords in an article in Law 360.
February 06, 2020
Leni Cummins is quoted in the New York Post on a recent guidance memo issued by the New York Department of State which dictates that tenants cannot be charged broker fees in certain circumstances.
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 15, 2020
Super Lawyers has named nine Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers.
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 30, 2019
Leni Cummins discusses the issues and irregularities that are all too often uncovered when a condominium boards takes over from sponsors and steps boards can take to protect themselves in Habitat Magazine.
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.
November 05, 2019
The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations and peer review from leading attorneys in their field.
October 22, 2019
Ken Fisher comments on New York City Council’s decision to suspend Councilman Andy King in City & State New York.