Stephen Lefkowitz of Fried Frank Harris Shriver & JacobsonFrom the December issue: Chances are you won’t see the name of a land-use attorney on the side of a building anytime soon. Though these experts often appear at public hearings, their work usually takes place in the background.

And yet, these legal guides often play a pivotal role in shepherding projects through the byzantine New York City planning process — particularly for projects that involve novel uses and special approvals.

The land-use attorneys profiled below are at the top of their field, all helping shape the height of skyscrapers, the use of public space, and what types of projects go where in New York. [more]

A showing of over 100 Upper East Side residents yesterday and speeches
made by politicians were a testament to the enormous community
opposition the Related Companies faces over its residential tower
proposal at 205 East 92nd Street. Yesterday’s meeting resulted
in Community Board 8′s vote to reject the developer’s application for a
421-a tax abatement, which would give it a tax break on the project’s
market-rate condominium component, in return for inclusion of
affordable rental units. Residents hope Related will abandon its plans if it cannot get the tax exemption. [more]