Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Bentley Graves as principal in its Minneapolis office.
November 10, 2025
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik announced Friday that she is running for governor in 2026, positioning herself as a Trump-aligned Republican and criticizing New York’s affordability and public safety under Governor Kathy Hochul. Her launch follows months of signaling and an earlier public nod from President Donald Trump, setting up a potential general election matchup after both navigate contested primaries. Stefanik enters a field that includes Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, who is challenging Hochul for the Democratic nomination.
On Election Day, New York City voters approved three charter amendments designed to speed housing development and expand affordable housing capacity. Proposals 2, 3, and 4, advanced earlier this year by the Charter Revision Commission, revise elements of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure and create new mechanisms to streamline approvals and modify City Council review. Proposal 2 establishes a “Fast-Track” review for publicly financed affordable housing projects citywide and in 12 historically low-production districts, including a new zoning action for fully affordable projects that bypasses the standard review process. Proposal 3 creates an Expedited Land Use Review Procedure that halves the traditional review period, generally excludes Council review, and applies to limited rezonings, site selections, and certain acquisitions that do not require an environmental impact statement. Proposal 4 forms a three-member Affordable Housing Appeals Board, replacing the mayor’s veto authority and empowering the panel to reverse Council disapprovals of affordable housing proposals. Click here for a summary of the measures written by the Cozen O’Connor land use team.
Mayor Eric Adams vetoed four City Council bills covering expanded pay equity reporting for large private employers, limits on CityFHEPS tenant contributions, and codifying the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services to speed nonprofit payments. City Hall cited burdensome reporting, conflicts with ongoing procurement reforms, and fiscal and jurisdictional concerns regarding CityFHEPS. All four bills passed on October 9 with veto proof majorities, and the Council is expected to override; once the vetoes are formally received at Wednesday’s Stated Meeting, members will have 30 days to act.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced his first major appointments, selecting Dean Fuleihan as first deputy mayor and Elle Bisgaard-Church as chief of staff. Fuleihan previously spent decades as a senior fiscal advisor in the State Assembly and led the city’s Office of Management and Budget, where he helped negotiate labor contracts and implement universal prekindergarten. Bisgaard-Church has been Mamdani’s top aide in the Assembly and directed his campaign operations. Fuleihan will oversee day-to-day government operations, while Bisgaard-Church transitions from running Mamdani’s Assembly office and campaign. Additional appointments are expected in the coming weeks as the administration prepares for a January 1 start.
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.
February 12, 2026
February 12, 2026
February 11, 2026
