Z&D Special Counsel Patti Harris Appointed as General Counsel of AIA New York
Zetlin & De Chiara Special Counsel, Patti Harris, has been appointed as the General Counsel of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York. AIA New York is the oldest and largest chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The Chapter’s members include more than 5,000 practicing architects, allied professionals, students, and public members interested in architecture and design. AIA New York is dedicated to three goals: design excellence, public outreach, and professional development. "The AIA has never been more pivotal in shaping the future of our communities and AIA New York’s membership provides a unique opportunity for the services, educational programs, scholarship programs and public advocacy of AIA New York to have a far-reaching impact. I am thrilled to be part of an organization that considers sustainability and equity to be fundamental underpinnings of a strong design practice," said Ms. Harris.
As Special Counsel at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, Ms. Harris provides legal and business counsel to architects and engineers across the country. A former corporate attorney, her legal practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, business organization and management issues, and licensing issues. Ms. Harris is the founder and CEO of Licensesure, which provides business and licensing compliance services to design professionals.
Ms. Harris is very active in a variety of design industry organizations. She is Past-President and a member of the Board of the Global Design Alliance. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees and serves as General Counsel of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation, having served as Board Chair in 2015. In 2012, she served on the Mayor's Task Force for Rebuilding New York City. She speaks about business organization and professional licensing to industry organizations such as the AIA and ACEC. Ms. Harris has been recognized for her leadership by the Global Design Alliance which presented her with their Sutherland Award for service to the design industry. She is recognized in Super Lawyers' list of top rated attorneys. In 2024, Ms. Harris was selected to City & State New York’s 2024 “Fifty Over 50 – The Age Disruptors” list. This annual list honors some of the most accomplished individuals in New York who have achieved success and, as part of that, made New York City a better place. She earned her M.B.A., with distinction, from New York University, her J.D. from New York University School of Law, and her B.A. from Pomona College.