James P. Power

Jim has been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA (2021 – 2023). Chambers notes that Jim “frequently advises major developers on the land use and zoning aspects of high-value projects,” with sources saying that he is “very smart and very professional,” his “client service, sophistication and commercial awareness are very strong,” and “he has great technical prowess in New York City zoning codes.” (2022). Legal 500 also named Jim as one of its “next generation partners” (2020 – 2022).

Jim lectures on land use and zoning in New York City at programs sponsored by continuing legal educational organizations, as well as by professional and industry groups. He speaks, and has been quoted and published, on a range of land use topics, including residential conversions, air rights transactions, the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and 421-a tax abatement programs, the floor area bonus structure in the Special West Chelsea District, and restrictions on hotel use in M1 manufacturing districts. Recent articles and quotes have been published in Crain’s New York Business, the New York Post, the New York Law Journal, Real Estate Weekly, the Commercial Observer and Law360.com. 

Among his most notable work, Jim has advised a major developer as land use counsel on its largest and most complex projects throughout the years, including the current development of a residential tower rises 1,066 feet and the tallest building in Brooklyn. The project includes new retail use in the landmark portion of the site and over 500 residential units.

On behalf of a major New York City developer, Jim recently secured a text amendment and City Planning Commission special permits for a new residential development in the West Clinton area, and obtained a variance for a new residential project at a high-profile site in Tribeca for a prominent design-build developer. Jim also represented a major hotel investment firm on a series of development projects involving complex site assemblages in the midst of recent regulatory changes.

Prior to law school, Jim worked on housing, economic development and open-space issues and was a New York City Urban Fellow.