Manhattan, NY Kramer Levin has elevated James Power to co-chair of the firm’s land use practice alongside Elise Wagner. Power will co-lead one of the largest and most experienced land use practices in New York City. He succeeds Paul Selver, who previously served as co-chair and will transition to counsel with the firm.
Power will work with incumbent co-chair Elise Wagner to guide the next generation of partners in the practice group as the firm continues to grow the practice and represent many of the city’s leading developers and institutions.
“I am honored to be named co-chair of the Land Use Practice at Kramer Levin, a firm I have been proud to call my home for more than 20 years. I look forward to working with my dedicated partners and colleagues to build on the level of excellence that this practice and firm are known for and to reward their confidence in my abilities,” said Power.
“Jim has been a leader in our practice for more than two decades and his elevation to co-chair of our land use practice is well-deserved. As we move into 2025, we are excited to have his talents leading our department, and we look forward to working with him for many years to come,” said Wagner.
Power has been practicing land use law for 29 years and was one of the founding members of Kramer Levin’s Land Use Department in 2002. Power has counseled and advised some of the city’s most prominent developers and institutions during his time at Kramer Levin. This includes acting as land use counsel to the Lincoln Square Center in master planning and land use approvals related to its 16-acre Upper West Side campus. Additionally, he’s acted as counsel to a major developer on its largest and most complex projects throughout the years, including the development of the tallest building in Brooklyn, at 1,066 ft., and the client’s West 57th St. project, the thinnest skyscraper in the world.
Power assists clients with the analysis and assemblage of development sites, including drafting and negotiating zoning lots and development rights agreements. His experience also includes affordable housing agreements, construction contracts, and public funding contracts for cultural and healthcare institutions.
Power is involved with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) as an urban plan facilitator. He’s been recognized for numerous awards, including Thomson Reuters’ New York Metro Super Lawyers in 2023/2024 and City & State New York’s Top 60 New York State Lobbyists in 2022. He is a widely recognized expert in all aspects of New York City land use and zoning. He is often published and quoted in the media on topics such as the recently adopted “City of Yes” zoning initiative.
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