Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Braxton Plummer as principal in its Cherry Hill office.
December 22, 2025
Last Thursday, the NYC Council held its final Stated meeting of the year, approving a number of bills focused on establishing a minimum wage for security guards, granting nonprofits the first opportunity to purchase certain residential properties (COPA), regulating the sale and transfer of tax liens, and creating an existing building code. In addition to the legislation passed, the Council introduced several bills, including a package aimed at refining the affordable housing development process and legislation requiring entities to obtain consent before collecting and disclosing personal and sensitive information, such as biometric data, geolocation, and DNA sequences, and several pieces of legislation aimed at supporting veterans. Two bills introduced align with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s platform: one to create a Department of Community Safety and another establishing a $25/hour minimum wage for workers receiving benefits and $30/hour for independent contractors. Since this was the last Stated Meeting of the session, the introduced bills will not pass this session but may be reintroduced in the new session. All legislation passed and introduced can be found here.
Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul signed several bills into law, including measures to reform the state prison system, legalize medical aid in dying, impose safety rules on artificial intelligence, expand consumer protection laws, end anonymous reporting of child maltreatment, and protect horseshoe crabs. She also vetoed bills requiring a two-person subway crew, amending the LLC Transparency Act, and granting state recognition to the Montaukett Nation.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani recently announced the appointment of Leila Bozorg as Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. Bozorg currently serves as Executive Director of Housing under Mayor Eric Adams. Mamdani also named Julie Su as the city’s first Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice. Su, who served as Acting U.S. Labor Secretary in the Biden administration, will oversee agencies including the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, the Taxi & Limousine Commission, and the Department of Cultural Affairs. In addition, Mamdani appointed longtime union operative Jahmilla Edwards as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Edwards previously served for 11 years as Associate Director of District Council 37, representing more than 150,000 public sector workers. Mamdani also announced the appointment of Sam Levine to be the next Commissioner of the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Levine previously served as the Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The New York State Gaming Commission voted last Monday to approve three New York City casino proposals: Hard Rock’s Metropolitan Park in Queens, Bally’s in the Bronx, and Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. The projects cleared their final hurdle after earlier approval by the Gaming Facility Location Board. Resorts World could begin generating revenue as soon as spring, while Metropolitan Park and Bally’s Bronx are projected to open by 2030.
Co-Chair, New York Practice
Co-Chair, New York Practice
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.
January 20, 2026
January 20, 2026
January 20, 2026
