In City & State's 2020 Law Power 100, a few recognizable names with Atlantic Yards ties

OK, I'm catching up with City & State NY's 2020 Law Power 100, "Recognizing New York’s 100 Most Politically Powerful Lawyers," published in March. There are a few Atlantic Yards ties.

At the top of the list is state Attorney General Letitia James, the first black woman in the office:

Since taking office, James has already had a huge impact on the state. She has worked with other attorneys general on multistate litigation on a range of issues, including holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for deaths from opioid use and protecting access to birth control and abortion. Just last month, she began an investigation into the New York City Police Department to determine if officers discriminate against communities of color in arresting fare-beaters. She also is probing the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, even though it’s chaired by an ally, Assemblywoman Latrice Walker. A year into her tenure, she told City & State, “First and foremost, I’m a public servant. Less a politician, more of a public servant.”

While a City Council Member from Central Brooklyn, before she became New York City Public Advocate, James was the leading political opponent of Atlantic Yards.

At #18 were a trio, Barry Berke, Jeffrey Braun & Gary Naftalis, from the law firm Kramer Levin:

Leading defense lawyer Barry Berke took a temporary leave to be special counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee during President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. He also represented New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio during campaign fundraising probes. Gary Naftalis, the firm’s co-chairman and litigation chairman, is a renowned trial lawyer, with a strong track record representing top corporations. Jeffrey Braun has helped create new law on conceptual environmental reviews in New York’s highest court.

Note that Braun for years represented Forest City Ratner in Atlantic Yards-related cases.

At #34 was David Karnovsky, from the firm Fried Frank:

While general counsel to the New York City Department of City Planning, David Karnovsky worked on projects that directly impacted residential, commercial and institutional facility development. He was previously special counsel and policy adviser to the city’s deputy mayor for operations and chief of the Legal Counsel Division of the Office of the Corporation Counsel. Now, Karnovsky’s practice at Fried Frank focuses on land use, zoning, real estate development and environmental review.

Karnovsky did not play a clear role in Atlantic Yards while at the DCP, but presumably read and signed off on various documents. I did mention him in discussions of reforming Community Benefits Agreements.