Melanie Meyers is a member of the Real Estate Department, resident in Fried Frank's New York office. She joined the Firm in 2003 as a partner.
Ms. Meyers' practice focuses on real estate development, with an emphasis on land use, zoning and structuring complex projects, environmental review, public approvals, and private/public partnerships. She has worked on some of New York City's most transformative projects, including Hudson Yards, Pacific Park, Greenpoint Landing, and Cornell Technion University on Roosevelt Island. Clients rely on Ms. Meyers to move economically viable developments forward while also achieving public policy goals.
Prior to joining Fried Frank, Ms. Meyers served as general counsel to the New York City Department of City Planning. She regularly advocates before city agencies and officials with land use jurisdiction. Her long-standing relationships with industry professionals and governmental agencies enables her to guide her clients from the initial acquisition phase through to obtaining permits and managing construction matters.
Ms. Meyers began her career as an architect. From 1994 to 1997, she was an adjunct professor in the Real Estate Development Program at Columbia University. From 1993 to 1994, Ms. Meyers was an associate professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and an assistant professor from 1990 to 1993.
Ms. Meyers' practice focuses on real estate development, with an emphasis on land use, zoning and structuring complex projects, environmental review, public approvals, and private/public partnerships. She has worked on some of New York City's most transformative projects, including Hudson Yards, Pacific Park, Greenpoint Landing, and Cornell Technion University on Roosevelt Island. Clients rely on Ms. Meyers to move economically viable developments forward while also achieving public policy goals.
Prior to joining Fried Frank, Ms. Meyers served as general counsel to the New York City Department of City Planning. She regularly advocates before city agencies and officials with land use jurisdiction. Her long-standing relationships with industry professionals and governmental agencies enables her to guide her clients from the initial acquisition phase through to obtaining permits and managing construction matters.
Ms. Meyers began her career as an architect. From 1994 to 1997, she was an adjunct professor in the Real Estate Development Program at Columbia University. From 1993 to 1994, Ms. Meyers was an associate professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and an assistant professor from 1990 to 1993.
Honors & Awards
Ms. Meyers is consistently recognized by Chambers USA as a leading individual in Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, where she has been described as “an excellent resource in complex land use and planning matters” who “understands the legal nuances in the area and is adept at condensing complicated code provisions in a practical manner.” She is consistently recognized by Legal 500 in Real Estate and in Real Estate: Land Use and Zoning.
In 2019, Ms. Meyers was included on Commercial Observer’s “Power 100” list of the most powerful people in New York real estate and was selected by Globe St. Real Estate Forum as the 2019 top CRE Legal Counsel of the Year in its Women of Influence special feature. Ms. Meyers was included in the 2018 and 2016 New York Commercial Real Estate “Power Women of New York City” by Bisnow, and was included in Real Estate Forum’s 2017 Women of Influence Hall of Fame as well as Crain’s New York Business’ 2017 list of Leading Women Lawyers. In addition, Ms. Meyers was named a “Women of Influence” by both Real Estate New York and Real Estate Forum in 2008 and 2010. She was also featured in NYinc’s “Profiles in Innovation - 15 People You Should Know” in real estate.
In 2019, Ms. Meyers was included on Commercial Observer’s “Power 100” list of the most powerful people in New York real estate and was selected by Globe St. Real Estate Forum as the 2019 top CRE Legal Counsel of the Year in its Women of Influence special feature. Ms. Meyers was included in the 2018 and 2016 New York Commercial Real Estate “Power Women of New York City” by Bisnow, and was included in Real Estate Forum’s 2017 Women of Influence Hall of Fame as well as Crain’s New York Business’ 2017 list of Leading Women Lawyers. In addition, Ms. Meyers was named a “Women of Influence” by both Real Estate New York and Real Estate Forum in 2008 and 2010. She was also featured in NYinc’s “Profiles in Innovation - 15 People You Should Know” in real estate.
Professional Associations
Member, WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate
Member, New York City Bar Association
Board of Governors, Real Estate Board of New York
Advisory Board, Real Estate Law Reporter
Member, New York City Bar Association
Board of Governors, Real Estate Board of New York
Advisory Board, Real Estate Law Reporter