Caroline G. Harris

Caroline G. Harris: Leading Land Use and Zoning Attorney in New York City

Caroline G. Harris is a highly respected and experienced land use attorney specializing in New York City zoning and historic preservation. Recognized as a leading expert in her field, Ms. Harris provides strategic legal counsel and unparalleled advocacy for developers, businesses, and individuals navigating the complex landscape of New York City’s land use regulations. Her deep understanding of discretionary approvals, coupled with her extensive transactional experience, makes her a trusted advisor and effective advocate across a wide range of projects. Ms. Harris also serves as a Neutral Arbitrator on the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association, demonstrating her commitment to fair and efficient dispute resolution.

Ms. Harris’s career began in the public sector, where she honed her expertise as Associate Counsel for the New York City Department of City Planning. In this role, she was responsible for all legal aspects of intricate applications related to rezonings, urban renewal plan approvals, special permits, certifications, and authorizations. She developed a particularly strong skillset in managing complex projects involving multiple city and state agencies, including a significant role on the 42nd Street Development Project – a multi-billion dollar undertaking requiring sophisticated coordination and legal oversight. Her work involved collaborating with diverse stakeholders and navigating the often-challenging requirements of numerous regulatory bodies.

Following her tenure with the Department of City Planning, Ms. Harris leveraged her expertise with prominent mid-size and large firms, where she served as both an associate and counsel. This experience broadened her practice and further refined her ability to address the specific legal challenges facing clients in high-stakes land use matters. She consistently delivered successful outcomes, building a strong reputation for her strategic thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and persuasive advocacy.

Ms. Harris’s current practice focuses heavily on development rights deals, commonly known as “air rights,” providing clients with the legal framework to utilize these valuable assets. She is a recognized authority on navigating the intricate processes required for discretionary approvals, ensuring projects comply with all applicable regulations and maximizing their chances of success. Her deep knowledge of the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, City Planning Commission, and Landmarks Preservation Commission allows her to effectively represent clients before these influential bodies. She regularly appears before these commissions, skillfully advocating for her clients’ interests and securing favorable outcomes.

Key Achievements and Recognition

Ms. Harris’s contributions to the field have been widely recognized, earning her numerous accolades and establishing her as a leader in New York City’s land use legal community. She has been repeatedly recognized as a Top Land Use/Zoning Attorney in “NY Metro-Top Women 2019” Super Lawyers magazine, a consistent honoree on the NY Metro 2019 Super Lawyers list, and included among the 100 New Yorkers named to the inaugural list of Leading Women Lawyers in New York City in Crain’s 2018. Her work has been consistently praised for its strategic insight, legal rigor, and positive impact on the development of New York City. She has also received recognition from Best Attorney USA since 2020.

Practice Areas

• Land Use and Zoning Law
• Historic Preservation
• Development Rights (Air Rights)
• Discretionary Approvals
• Transactional Land Use
• Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
• Real Estate Law

Education & Credentials

• Expertise in navigating complex zoning regulations and discretionary approval processes within New York City.
• Extensive experience with development rights (“air rights”) transactions.
• Proven track record of successful representation before the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, City Planning Commission, and Landmarks Preservation Commission.
• Neutral Arbitrator on the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association.
• Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2020.

Affiliations

New York, State: New York, Country: United States