Partner block@thsh.com 212-508-6790
Kenneth M. Block
Partner block@thsh.com 212-508-6790
Kenneth M. Block
Partner block@thsh.com 212-508-6790
Biography
Kenneth M. Block is the Co-Chair of the Construction & Design 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 writes for 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, The Witkoff Group, Jack Resnick & Sons, Inc., Time Equities, Inc., Albanese Organization, Rockrose Development Corp., Sterling Equities, the Hospital for Special Surgery, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the New York and Brooklyn Public Libraries, Friends Seminary, Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center.
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. 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 – 2025) as well as Construction Lawyer of the Year in 2019, 2023 & 2024; recognized in Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in construction (2011-2024); and selected for inclusion in New York Super Lawyers (2008-2024) as well as being named to the Super Lawyers Top 100 List 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024. Also, he maintains an AV Pre-eminent Rating from Martindale Hubbell.
Brooklyn Law School (J.D.)
- Notes Editor, Brooklyn Law Review
New York University (Bachelor's)
- Honors: University Honor Scholar
- New York
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern Districts of New York
- United States District Court for the Southern Districts of New York
- Chambers and Partners USA Guide: New York, Construction Law (2009-2024)
- Law360 Construction Groups of the Year (2023) - member of department
- Best Lawyers®, Construction Law; Litigation - Construction; Litigation - Real Estate (2013-2025)
- Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year, New York City, Construction; Litigation - Construction (2019, 2023, 2024)
- Top 100 New York Metro Super Lawyers® (2015-2017, 2020-2024)
- Super Lawyers® New York Metro Area, Construction Litigation (2008-2024)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
- Avenue Magazine Top Lawyer, Litigation (2010-2012)
Professional:
- Former Chair, Construction Law Committee, New York State Bar Association Real Property Law Section
- Association of the Bar of the City of New York
- Author, Column on Construction Law, New York Law Journal
Acting as construction counsel for the developers of:
- Farley Post Office, Moynihan Train Station, Penn Station Plaza and concourse, and One & Two Penn Plaza
- Willets Point Phase 2, consisting of 2500 affordable housing units and related amenities
- The TWA hotel at JFK Airport
- The Whitney Museum of American Art
- Little Island, a park and theatre space on the Hudson River
Case Studies
Publications
- Sustainable Construction: Navigating NYSERDA Grants
- Notable Code and Legal Developments in 2023
- 'Get Sheds Down': NYC’s Plan To Reform Sidewalk Shed Construction
- Sustainable Construction: An Owner’s Guide for Compliance
- Is There New Life for Underutilized Office Buildings?
- Five Hot Button Issues in Design Agreements
- Streamlining the Negotiation Process of Management Agreements
- Negotiating Unavoidable Delays In Construction Contracts
- Owner-Architect Agreements: Scope of Services
- Construction Management Agreements: Setting the GMP
- Revisiting Indemnification Provisions
- Claims Against Architects And Engineers
- Construction Management Agreements: CM Liability
- Construction Management Agreements: Defects and Failures
- Owner's Checklist for Resuming Construction
- Construction Management Agreements: Pricing
- Owners Should Take Caution in Waiving Consequential Damages
- Construction Management Agreements: The Cost Plus Hybrid
- Revisiting ‘No Damage For Delay’ Clauses
- An Owner’s Response To Potential Subcontractor Liens
- Beware of the AIA Form of Performance Bond
- Conditions Precedent in Construction Contracts
- Recent Developments in Neighbor Litigation
- The Role of Owner’s Representative
- Delay Claim Analysis
- Ensuring Third-Party Beneficiary Status to Owners
- Recurring Issues with Contract Indemnities
- Ensuring Additional Insured Status in Construction Agreements
- New York Slow to Embrace The ‘Design-Build’ System
- Recommended Owner Modifications to Standard AIA Documents
- Importance of Construction Contract Coordination
News
- Super Lawyers® Names 36 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys in 2024 New York City Metro Rankings • 10.24.2024
- Best Lawyers® Recognizes 24 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys in 2025 New York City Metro Rankings • 08.15.2024
- Tannenbaum Helpern Recognized by Chambers Global and Chambers USA • 06.06.2024
- Tannenbaum Helpern recognized by Law360 for 2023 Practice Group Of The Year: Construction • 02.08.2024
- Tannenbaum Helpern Recognized by Chambers USA: New York and Nationwide • 06.01.2023
- Best Lawyers® Ranks 13 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys to 2023 New York City Metro Rankings • 08.17.2022
- 35 Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys recognized in Super Lawyers 2020 • 10.29.2020
- Best Lawyers 2021 recognizes 13 Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys • 08.26.2020
- Tannenbaum Helpern Receives National Top Tier Ranking in U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ 2020 “Best Law Firms” List • 12.05.2019
- 30 Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys recognized in Super Lawyers 2019 • 10.17.2019
- Best Lawyers 2020 recognizes nine Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys • 08.22.2019
- 26 Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys recognized in the 2018 New York Metro Super Lawyers list • 10.22.2018
- Eight Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys selected to The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 • 08.20.2018
- 27 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Recognized In The 2017 New York Metro Super Lawyers List • 09.20.2017
- Eight Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Included In The Best Lawyers In America© 2018 List • 08.17.2017
- 28 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Selected To The 2016 New York Metro Super Lawyers List • 09.27.2016
- Five Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Included In The Best Lawyers© In America 2017 List • 08.17.2016
- 27 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Selected To The 2015 New York Metro Super Lawyers List • 09.17.2015
- Tannenbaum Helpern Recognized As Top Ranked US Law Firm • 04.13.2015
- 34 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Have Been Selected To The 2014 New York Metro Super Lawyers List, Including Two Commercial Litigators In The Top 100 Super Lawyers List • 10.08.2014
- Four Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP Attorneys Named To Best Lawyers In America 2015 List • 09.10.2014
- Four Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP Attorneys Named To 2014 Best Lawyers® In America List • 08.15.2013
- THSH Recognized In Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Avenue Magazine, Fortune, Lawyers World, The American Lawyer & Corporate Counsel • 10.02.2012
- 18 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys On The New York Metro Super Lawyers 2011 List • 10.25.2011
Events
- An Owner’s Guide to Controlling Construction Costs on Capital Projects • 10.24.2024
- Strategies for Avoiding and Recovering Construction Delays • 09.11.2024
- Guaranteed Maximum Price Construction Agreements: Fact or Fiction? • 06.26.2024
- Assessing the Default and Termination of a Construction Manager • 04.17.2024
- Building Code and Legal Developments Affecting 2024 Construction • 02.07.2024
- A Construction Owner’s Guide to Dispute Avoidance and Resolution • 11.02.2023
- An Owner’s Guide to Dispute Avoidance and Resolution • 06.06.2023
- Streamlining the Negotiation of Construction Management Agreements – An Owner’s Perspective • 04.27.2023
- The Impact of NYC Local Law 97 on Building Owners • 03.15.2023
- Construction Project Delivery Methods • 06.28.2022
- Protecting Neighboring Buildings During Construction • 04.25.2022
- Professional Service Agreements: An Owner’s Perspective • 03.15.2022
- Assessing Construction Contract Damages • 01.13.2022
- Understanding Construction Management Agreements Part 4: Insurance and Liability | Lawline • 12.10.2021
- Protecting Neighboring Buildings During Construction • 11.30.2021
- Understanding Construction Management Agreements Part 3: Defects and Damages | Lawline • 11.11.2021
- Understanding Construction Management Agreements Part 2: Scheduling | Lawline • 10.07.2021
- Assessing Construction Contract Damages • 09.22.2021
- Understanding Construction Management Agreements Part 1: Pricing | Lawline • 09.02.2021
- Current Issues in Construction Litigation • 06.10.2021
- Construction Management Webinar Series: Part 4 • 04.06.2021
- Construction Management Webinar Series - Part 3 • 02.02.2021
- Construction Management Webinar Series - Part 2 • 12.01.2020
- Construction Management Webinar Series - Part 1 • 10.06.2020
- Architectural Service Agreements: Key Owner Issues • 04.30.2019
- An Owner's Perspective on Construction Management Agreements • 03.05.2019
- Neighbor Protection During Construction • 05.22.2018
- Construction Management: The Role of the Owner’s Representative • 10.25.2017
- Managing Construction Risks • 04.27.2017
- Contract Workshops For Owners’ Representatives Spring 2016 • 03.10.2016
Kenneth M. Block is the Co-Chair of the Construction & Design 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 writes for 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, The Witkoff Group, Jack Resnick & Sons, Inc., Time Equities, Inc., Albanese Organization, Rockrose Development Corp., Sterling Equities, the Hospital for Special Surgery, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the New York and Brooklyn Public Libraries, Friends Seminary, Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center.
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. 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 – 2025) as well as Construction Lawyer of the Year in 2019, 2023 & 2024; recognized in Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in construction (2011-2024); and selected for inclusion in New York Super Lawyers (2008-2024) as well as being named to the Super Lawyers Top 100 List 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024. Also, he maintains an AV Pre-eminent Rating from Martindale Hubbell.
Brooklyn Law School (J.D.)
- Notes Editor, Brooklyn Law Review
New York University (Bachelor's)
- Honors: University Honor Scholar
- New York
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern Districts of New York
- United States District Court for the Southern Districts of New York
- Chambers and Partners USA Guide: New York, Construction Law (2009-2024)
- Law360 Construction Groups of the Year (2023) - member of department
- Best Lawyers®, Construction Law; Litigation - Construction; Litigation - Real Estate (2013-2025)
- Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year, New York City, Construction; Litigation - Construction (2019, 2023, 2024)
- Top 100 New York Metro Super Lawyers® (2015-2017, 2020-2024)
- Super Lawyers® New York Metro Area, Construction Litigation (2008-2024)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
- Avenue Magazine Top Lawyer, Litigation (2010-2012)
Professional:
- Former Chair, Construction Law Committee, New York State Bar Association Real Property Law Section
- Association of the Bar of the City of New York
- Author, Column on Construction Law, New York Law Journal
Acting as construction counsel for the developers of:
- Farley Post Office, Moynihan Train Station, Penn Station Plaza and concourse, and One & Two Penn Plaza
- Willets Point Phase 2, consisting of 2500 affordable housing units and related amenities
- The TWA hotel at JFK Airport
- The Whitney Museum of American Art
- Little Island, a park and theatre space on the Hudson River
- Sustainable Construction: Navigating NYSERDA Grants
- Notable Code and Legal Developments in 2023
- 'Get Sheds Down': NYC’s Plan To Reform Sidewalk Shed Construction
- Sustainable Construction: An Owner’s Guide for Compliance
- Is There New Life for Underutilized Office Buildings?
- Five Hot Button Issues in Design Agreements
- Streamlining the Negotiation Process of Management Agreements
- Negotiating Unavoidable Delays In Construction Contracts
- Owner-Architect Agreements: Scope of Services
- Construction Management Agreements: Setting the GMP
- Revisiting Indemnification Provisions
- Claims Against Architects And Engineers
- Construction Management Agreements: CM Liability
- Construction Management Agreements: Defects and Failures
- Owner's Checklist for Resuming Construction
- Construction Management Agreements: Pricing
- Owners Should Take Caution in Waiving Consequential Damages
- Construction Management Agreements: The Cost Plus Hybrid
- Revisiting ‘No Damage For Delay’ Clauses
- An Owner’s Response To Potential Subcontractor Liens
- Beware of the AIA Form of Performance Bond
- Conditions Precedent in Construction Contracts
- Recent Developments in Neighbor Litigation
- The Role of Owner’s Representative
- Delay Claim Analysis
- Ensuring Third-Party Beneficiary Status to Owners
- Recurring Issues with Contract Indemnities
- Ensuring Additional Insured Status in Construction Agreements
- New York Slow to Embrace The ‘Design-Build’ System
- Recommended Owner Modifications to Standard AIA Documents
- Importance of Construction Contract Coordination
- Super Lawyers® Names 36 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys in 2024 New York City Metro Rankings • 10.24.2024
- Best Lawyers® Recognizes 24 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys in 2025 New York City Metro Rankings • 08.15.2024
- Tannenbaum Helpern Recognized by Chambers Global and Chambers USA • 06.06.2024
- Tannenbaum Helpern recognized by Law360 for 2023 Practice Group Of The Year: Construction • 02.08.2024
- Tannenbaum Helpern Recognized by Chambers USA: New York and Nationwide • 06.01.2023
- Best Lawyers® Ranks 13 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys to 2023 New York City Metro Rankings • 08.17.2022
- 35 Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys recognized in Super Lawyers 2020 • 10.29.2020
- Best Lawyers 2021 recognizes 13 Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys • 08.26.2020
- Tannenbaum Helpern Receives National Top Tier Ranking in U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ 2020 “Best Law Firms” List • 12.05.2019
- 30 Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys recognized in Super Lawyers 2019 • 10.17.2019
- Best Lawyers 2020 recognizes nine Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys • 08.22.2019
- 26 Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys recognized in the 2018 New York Metro Super Lawyers list • 10.22.2018
- Eight Tannenbaum Helpern attorneys selected to The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 • 08.20.2018
- 27 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Recognized In The 2017 New York Metro Super Lawyers List • 09.20.2017
- Eight Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Included In The Best Lawyers In America© 2018 List • 08.17.2017
- 28 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Selected To The 2016 New York Metro Super Lawyers List • 09.27.2016
- Five Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Included In The Best Lawyers© In America 2017 List • 08.17.2016
- 27 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Selected To The 2015 New York Metro Super Lawyers List • 09.17.2015
- Tannenbaum Helpern Recognized As Top Ranked US Law Firm • 04.13.2015
- 34 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys Have Been Selected To The 2014 New York Metro Super Lawyers List, Including Two Commercial Litigators In The Top 100 Super Lawyers List • 10.08.2014
- Four Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP Attorneys Named To Best Lawyers In America 2015 List • 09.10.2014
- Four Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP Attorneys Named To 2014 Best Lawyers® In America List • 08.15.2013
- THSH Recognized In Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Avenue Magazine, Fortune, Lawyers World, The American Lawyer & Corporate Counsel • 10.02.2012
- 18 Tannenbaum Helpern Attorneys On The New York Metro Super Lawyers 2011 List • 10.25.2011
- An Owner’s Guide to Controlling Construction Costs on Capital Projects • 10.24.2024
- Strategies for Avoiding and Recovering Construction Delays • 09.11.2024
- Guaranteed Maximum Price Construction Agreements: Fact or Fiction? • 06.26.2024
- Assessing the Default and Termination of a Construction Manager • 04.17.2024
- Building Code and Legal Developments Affecting 2024 Construction • 02.07.2024
- A Construction Owner’s Guide to Dispute Avoidance and Resolution • 11.02.2023
- An Owner’s Guide to Dispute Avoidance and Resolution • 06.06.2023
- Streamlining the Negotiation of Construction Management Agreements – An Owner’s Perspective • 04.27.2023
- The Impact of NYC Local Law 97 on Building Owners • 03.15.2023
- Construction Project Delivery Methods • 06.28.2022
- Protecting Neighboring Buildings During Construction • 04.25.2022
- Professional Service Agreements: An Owner’s Perspective • 03.15.2022
- Assessing Construction Contract Damages • 01.13.2022
- Understanding Construction Management Agreements Part 4: Insurance and Liability | Lawline • 12.10.2021
- Protecting Neighboring Buildings During Construction • 11.30.2021
- Understanding Construction Management Agreements Part 3: Defects and Damages | Lawline • 11.11.2021
- Understanding Construction Management Agreements Part 2: Scheduling | Lawline • 10.07.2021
- Assessing Construction Contract Damages • 09.22.2021
- Understanding Construction Management Agreements Part 1: Pricing | Lawline • 09.02.2021
- Current Issues in Construction Litigation • 06.10.2021
- Construction Management Webinar Series: Part 4 • 04.06.2021
- Construction Management Webinar Series - Part 3 • 02.02.2021
- Construction Management Webinar Series - Part 2 • 12.01.2020
- Construction Management Webinar Series - Part 1 • 10.06.2020
- Architectural Service Agreements: Key Owner Issues • 04.30.2019
- An Owner's Perspective on Construction Management Agreements • 03.05.2019
- Neighbor Protection During Construction • 05.22.2018
- Construction Management: The Role of the Owner’s Representative • 10.25.2017
- Managing Construction Risks • 04.27.2017
- Contract Workshops For Owners’ Representatives Spring 2016 • 03.10.2016