Adams Announces Executive Director for Housing

Mayor Adams announced the appointment of Leila Bozorg as the City’s new Executive Director for Housing. Bozorg will report to Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer as part of an expanded housing, economic development, and workforce team. Bozorg previously served in multiple roles at HPD, including as Chief of Staff to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for Neighborhood Strategies. She is also a member of the New York City Planning Commission.

NYC Council Introduces and Passes Legislation

Last Wednesday, the NYC Council convened a Stated meeting, where they passed and introduced multiple pieces of legislation. The Council passed legislation requiring the development of a new anti-racism training for employees of human services contractors and city agencies. Legislation was also passed requiring DCLA to post an annual report on its spending to support art and cultural organizations, including demographic info on the organizations’ services. The Council introduced legislation that would require progress reports on the JFK redevelopment plans, and legislation removing all misdemeanor criminal penalties for general vendors and mobile food vendors. You can find all of the legislation that was passed and introduced here.

2023 New York City and New York State Top Lobbyists

Cozen O’Connor has been named by City & State NY as one of the top lobbyists in both New York City and New York State. The list features the top 50 lobbying firms and is based on an analysis of 2022 compensation figures. Cozen O’Connor was listed as the #7 lobbyist in NYC and #15 in New York State. Rose Christ and Katie Schwab, Co-Chairs of the New York practice, noted that successes for the firm included obtaining over $40 million in discretionary funds for New York City-based nonprofit organizations and successfully navigating the ULURP process on behalf of nonprofit housing developers.