Sheila Pozon

Sheila M. Pozon is a Partner in the Zoning and Land Use Group at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (US) LLP (“HSF Kramer”).  She represents private developers and property owners, cultural, educational, health care and nonprofit institutions, lenders and investors in the planning, acquisition, development and financing of major projects throughout New York City, on municipal law issues, the development potential of sites, and the land use and environmental review processes. 

She has appeared before and secured approvals from key New York City agencies, including the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals, the New York City Department of Buildings, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the New York City Department of Finance, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the City Planning Commission, in a variety of land use actions including zoning changes, special permits, complex tax lot mergers and apportionments, landmark proceedings, authorizations, certifications and variances.  She has extensive experience representing clients in high-profile real estate projects, including advising the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on the $10 billion redevelopment of the existing Midtown Bus Terminal and Extell Development Co. on the assemblage and acquisition of development rights for International Gem Tower, One57, Central Park Tower, and 740 Eighth Avenue.  She has successfully negotiated and closed hundreds of development rights transactions over the course of her career. Her work includes drafting and negotiating complex transactional documents, including purchase and sale agreements, zoning lot development agreements, transit easement agreements, and license and access agreements. 

Sheila is the Chair of the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee at the New York City Bar Association and a member of HSF Kramer’s Attorneys of Color Affinity Group.  In 2024, she was named in City & State New York’s inaugural list of Trailblazers in Building & Real Estate as one of the key players reshaping New York City’s landscape.  Sheila has appeared on NY1 and WNYC and been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the Commercial Observer, Slate and The Real Deal on hotel and office conversions and city and state housing policies.  She earned her J.D. from Boston University School of Law and her B.A. in art history and visual arts from Columbia University.

This speaker is a panelist for Living in the New York City of Yes-Housing for Everyone - A Model in Real Estate Urban Planning.