Recent News:

Super Lawyers Recognizes 35 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

Fourteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers, and 21 were named “Rising Stars,” a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

Rachel focuses her practice on New York City zoning and land use. She has experience preparing and presenting applications at the NYC Department of City Planning and Board of Standards and Appeals, community boards, the City Council, and other city agencies. She regularly interprets and applies the NYC Zoning Resolution and CEQR Technical Manual and has negotiated development rights transactions, construction access agreements, and easements.

Prior to joining the firm, Rachel was a land use associate at an international law firm. Rachel earned her bachelor’s degrees in journalism, highest honors, and political science from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rachel earned her law degree from New York University School of Law. While in law school, she was the notes editor for the New York University Environmental Law Journal. She was a also a legal intern for the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board.

Experience

News

Super Lawyers Recognizes 35 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

October 24, 2024

Fourteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers, and 21 were named “Rising Stars,” a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

Cozen O’Connor Promotes 23 Attorneys to Member

March 15, 2024

“This is a group of terrific lawyers across many offices and practices areas and we look forward to following their achievements,” said Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Heller.

Super Lawyers Recognizes 27 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

September 22, 2023

Thirteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers and 14 were named “Rising Stars.”

Urban Design Forum and Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development Announce Local Center Design Teams

July 31, 2023

Vivien R. Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Sunny Bhatt will be leading the team, which will include Becca Eschen, Marnie Kudon, Jen Miller, Adam Morsy, Scott Pashman, Mateo Rendon, and Zach Samton, in providing legal support to the Local Center initiative in New York City.

Publications

City-Led Atlantic Avenue Rezoning Application Enters Public Review [Alert]

October 16, 2024

Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss New York City's proposal to rezone Atlantic Avenue to spur development and affordable housing.

City Council Approves Bronx-Metro North Rezoning [Alert]

August 19, 2024

The New York City Council approved the Bronx-Metro North Neighborhood Plan, the first New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) led neighborhood plan certified and approved under the Adams administration.

What NYC's Green Fast Track Means For Affordable Housing

July 09, 2024

Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall co-authored a Law360 article on New York City Mayor Adams’ Green Fast Track for Housing initiative, which went into effect on June 3.

Adams Administration Releases Draft Strategies for Long Island City Neighborhood Plan [Alert]

July 08, 2024

The NYC Mayor and NYC Department of City Planning (DCP), have unveiled a zoning proposal that could lead to development of more than 14,000 homes, more commercial space, and an improved public realm in Long Island City, Queens.

City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” Approved by the City Council [Alert]

June 10, 2024

On June 6, 2024, the New York City Council approved the NYC Department of City Planning’s Zoning for Economic Opportunity, the second of Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes initiatives.

Green Fast Track for Housing is Now in Effect [Alert]

June 04, 2024

Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss NYC Mayor Eric Adams' Green Fast Track for Housing initiative, which went into effect June 3, 2024, and aims to shorten the lengthy environmental review process for certain residential developments.

New York City Releases Proposed Text for City of Yes for Housing Opportunity

April 17, 2024

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Meenakshi Srinivasan discuss the DCP's draft zoning text for the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal, the third of the Adams administration’s City of Yes zoning initiatives.

City of Yes for Housing Opportunity to Include New, Higher-Density Residential Zoning Districts [Alert]

April 01, 2024

Vivien Krieger discusses the Adams Administration's City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal, which would introduce new higher-density residential zoning districts to New York City.

Mayor’s Proposal to Expedite Environmental Review for Certain Housing Scheduled for Public Hearings [Alert]

February 01, 2024

Vivian Krieger, Sunny Bhatt, and Rachel Scall discuss the Green Fast Track for Housing, a plan that would remove layers of environmental review for certain residential developments.

First “City of Yes” Zoning Initiative Approved by NYC Council [Alert]

December 11, 2023

On December 6, 2023, the New York City Council approved the first of Mayor Adams’ three “City of Yes” zoning initiatives.

NYC Mayor Adams' Zoning Initiative to Promote Residential Development [Alert]

September 25, 2023

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Sunny Bhatt discuss how the initiative could make the largest changes to the NYC Zoning Resolution in more than a generation.

Adams Administration Announces Three New Initiatives to Spur Office-to-Residential Conversions

August 18, 2023

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced three initiatives to assist in the creation of much-needed housing, including easing the office-to-residential conversion process.

Adams Administration Unveils the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Zoning Proposal” [Alert]

June 20, 2023

Sunny Bhatt, Rachel Scall, and Vivien R. Krieger discuss Mayor Adams' "City of Yes for Economic Opportunity" proposal, the second of the mayor’s City of Yes zoning initiatives.

City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality Enters Public Review [Alert]

April 25, 2023

The City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality seeks to remove overly burdensome zoning requirements and expand opportunities for decarbonization projects in NYC.

Governor Hochul Announces Plan to Tackle New York’s Housing Crisis [Alert]

January 18, 2023

During her State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the New York Housing Compact, a strategy to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade.

NYC Task Force's Recommendations for Residential Conversion of Office Space [Alert]

January 11, 2023

New York City’s Office Adaptive Reuse Task Force released a study calling for more conversions of older office stock into much-needed housing.

Mayor Adams Announces “Get Stuff Built” Plan [Alert]

December 13, 2022

The Get Stuff Built report details 111 actions the city intends to take to reduce time, cost, and bureaucratic red tape during the development process.

Mayor Adams Outlines Vision for "City of Yes" [Alert]

June 06, 2022

Mayor Adams announced his “City of Yes” plan to amend the city’s zoning tools to support small businesses, create affordable housing, and promote sustainability.

NYC Agencies Provide Guidance for Racial Equity Report Requirements

May 11, 2022

Beginning June 1, 2022, certain public and private applications before the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) must include a Racial Equity Report.

NY State Legislators Introduce Legislation to Protect SoHo/NoHo Residents

May 09, 2022

Senator Kavanagh, Assembly Member Glick have each introduced state legislation to permit residents to continue to occupy units previously reserved for artists.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Education

  • New York University School of Law, J.D., 2016
  • University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, B.A., highest honors, 2011

Awards & Honors

New York Metro Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2023-2024

  • New York

Urban Land Institute New York

New York City Bar Association