Kenneth M. "Ken" Block

Kenneth M. Block is the Chair of the Construction Practice and is an acknowledged leader in the area of construction law. Ken is the former Chair of the Construction Law Committee of the New York State Bar Association Real Property Law Section and the author of the New York Law Journal Construction Law column. He lectures extensively on construction legal and business issues and represents prominent real estate owners, developers and not-for-profit institutions, including Vornado Realty Trust, Fisher Brothers companies, The Witkoff Group, Jack Resnick & Sons, Inc., Time Equities, Inc., Trinity Church Real Estate, Albanese Organization, Rockrose Development Corp., Sterling Equities, Steiner Studios, the Hospital for Special Surgery, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the New York and Brooklyn Public Libraries, Trinity School, Friends Seminary, Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center. Ken is currently representing Vornado Realty Trust in connection in the redevelopment of the Farley Post Office, Moynihan Train Station, Penn Plaza and the LIRR Main Concourse as well as its portfolio of commercial properties; Seritage Growth Properties in connection with the redevelopment of its portfolio of Sears and K-Mart branded stores throughout the United States; The Witkoff Group in connection with the renovation of the Park Lane Hotel, and Pier55 Inc. in connection with the development of Little Island, a park and theater space on the Hudson River.

Initially trained as a litigator, Ken has extensive experience with disputes involving construction defects, liens, and design and construction defects. Ken remains active in the litigation arena through participation in mediations, arbitrations, trials and appeals. Over the past two decades, Ken has applied his litigation skills to the preparation and negotiation of a wide variety of construction contracts, utilizing both modified AIA forms as well as customized manuscript forms. Fully conversant in the construction process, Ken provides value added services by assisting in structuring owner-favorable business, financial and legal terms for his clients.

Ken has been listed in Best Lawyers in America (2013 – 2022) as well as Construction Lawyer of the Year 2019 recipient; recognized in Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in construction (2011-2019); and selected for inclusion in New York Super Lawyers (2008-2021) as well as being named to the Super Lawyers Top 100 List 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021. Also, he maintains an AV Pre-eminent Rating from Martindale Hubbell.

Significant Matters

• Representing a joint venture of Vornado Realty Trust and Related Properties in connection in the redevelopment of the Farley Post Office and Moynihan Train Station
• Representing Seritage Growth Properties in connection with the redevelopment of its portfolio of Sears and K-Mart branded stores throughout the United States
• Representing Pace University in connection with its master plan for the redevelopment of its downtown campus
• Representing MCR Development in connection with the conversion of the TWA terminal into a hotel and conference center
• Representing Pier55 Inc. in connection with the development of a park and theater space on the Hudson River