Fight the Power and Win!

I've fought for the community all my life, serving 8 years as a Council Member in the New York City Council, then in the White House.

I've spoken truth to power and won in City Hall, Albany, Washington, D.C. I've fought and won change from the inside and the outside. After serving as an elected official in the City Council, and working in the New York State Assembly and Executive Office of the President in the White House, I can't imagine fighting for anyone other than you and your community. Communities, candidates, organizers, and small businesses are struggling in our city to make their voices heard in the halls of power and my firm is here to help.

Whether its fighting to protect your community from billionaire real estate developers, helping candidates get on the ballot with the public dollars they need to win and fight for their community, winning government contracts for your small business, representing workers in a union, protecting your human rights, or you just need legal advice, we are here to help.

Ben Kallos Signature

Practice Areas

Election Law & Campaign Finance

Election Law & Ballot Access

New York City Campaign Finance Law (NYCCFB)

New York State Campaign Finance Law and Public Campaign Finance Board (PCFB)

Government Contracts

Contracts with the City of New York (NYC)

Contracts with the State of New York (NYS)

Government Relations & Lobbying, Coalition Building, Public Relations

Government Relations & Lobbying

Public Relations

Labor & Employment Law

Employment & Human Rights Law

Labor Law (Union-side)

Retirement Plans & Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

Land Use (Community Side)

Affordable Home Ownership

Board of Standards and Appeals

Cooperative & Condominium Quality of Life

Figthing Over Development: Zoning & Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)

Landmarks Preservation Commission

Victories

Protected $70 Million in Home Equity for HDFC in Harlem

When the city proposed taking $70 million in home equity away from 240 shareholders in an affordable home ownership cooperative (HDFC) in Harlem, former Council Member Ben Kallos, supported the Board of Directors in negotiating and closing on a new regulatory agreement that protected the home equity built by shareholders over the past 20 years.

Won Curfew and Cap on Private Parties at Museum

When a museum on the Upper East Side sought a liquor license to allow private parties with 17-bars until 4AM, indoors and out, former Council Member Ben Kallos helped a neighborhood association to negotiate stipulations on a liquor license that reduced the number of bars that could be used at any given time and added a curfew.

Secured Noise Protections from New Club

When a new private members club was proposed for an old office building that shared a common wall with neighbors with an open rooftop, Council Member Ben Kallos represented the neighbors in negotiating stipulations on the liquor license guided by acoustic engineers that limited hours, kept crowds off the street, and required the installation of sound mitigation. Kallos was able to bring his zoning expertise to help win acoustic barriers on the roof that would provide the club with an outdoor experience while providing neighbors with privacy and protection from noise.

Cleaned Up Trash & Rats

When bags of trash spilled over sidewalks feeding rats making a block feel like a dump, former Council Member Ben Kallos, worked with management of buildings on the block to become early adopters of the city's new trash containerization program and secured commitment from Sanitation to pick up from new trash bins.

Overturned $100,000 in Rejected Matching Claims

When a city-wide candidate used a donation platform that wasn't approved by the city, we were able to get $98,752 in public funds approved for a public matching payment.

Designating Petition to Get on the Ballot

Got Progressive Challenger to Incumbent on the Ballot

It can be incredibly hard for progressive candidates to take on incumbent politicians backed by the political machine. Former Council Member Ben Kallos who oversaw the Board of Elections in the City Council is not afraid to take on ballot bumping from the political machine in any neighborhood. Ben and his team have guided progressive candidates to file "challenge proof" petitions to get on the ballot so they can focus on winning the Democratic Primary.