Among specific Charter issues examined are the Charter powers of various elected and appointed officials, and administrative and decision-making processes governing such critical city functions as land use, procurement and contracting, and budgeting. This course combines a seminar with closely supervised externships in a counsel's office of a New York City agency. The seminar, in combination with the internships, helps develop lawyering skills needed to accomplish the legal work of a New York City agency. Topics covered include procurement, contracting, budgeting, drafting regulations, freedom of information requests, conflicts of interest, relationships among various parts of city government, impact of federal and state requirements, employee issues, and litigation support. Students must devote at least eight hours per week to their externship, meet with a supervising faculty member, attend a seminar, and write a paper for the seminar.
Enrollment is limited.
Evening students and others with special situations may request permission to register for the two-credit seminar only. The course focuses on issues relating to the legal structure, management, and ownership of cooperative housing corporations and condominiums. This course stresses the law and process of real estate development, and emphasis is on development activity in New York City and environs. Case studies and problem analyses of actual development projects are considered, with developers and lawyers involved in such projects as instructors and guest participants. Background on the roles, knowledge base, and objectives of the various skill groups involved in the development process is also covered, e.g. , developers, lawyers, lenders, contractors, architects, brokers, prime tenants, and government regulators.