Russell A. Kivler

Russell A. Kivler’s Biography

Russell A. Kivler is a Managing Partner at Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP, where for over 25 years he has represented developers, owners, and investors in the creation and preservation of affordable housing, mixed-income and mixed-use development, commercial real estate, and public finance. His work spans public-private developments, joint ventures, financings, and construction and commercial leasing, with particular depth in federal, state, and local housing programs, tax incentive structures, and large-scale developments financed through tax-exempt municipal bonds and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity.

Representing clients across these transactions, Russell repeatedly encountered the same bottleneck: the paperwork-heavy process of qualifying and recertifying tenants. To address it, he founded Harmony, a qualification and reporting platform that streamlines the affordable housing application, lease-up, and compliance process. From initial application through occupancy and annual recertification, Harmony automates the collection, verification, and processing of eligibility... Russell A. Kivler is a Managing Partner at Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP, where for over 25 years he has represented developers, owners, and investors in the creation and preservation of affordable housing, mixed-income and mixed-use development, commercial real estate, and public finance. His work spans public-private developments, joint ventures, financings, and construction and commercial leasing, with particular depth in federal, state, and local housing programs, tax incentive structures, and large-scale developments financed through tax-exempt municipal bonds and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity.

Representing clients across these transactions, Russell repeatedly encountered the same bottleneck: the paperwork-heavy process of qualifying and recertifying tenants. To address it, he founded Harmony, a qualification and reporting platform that streamlines the affordable housing application, lease-up, and compliance process. From initial application through occupancy and annual recertification, Harmony automates the collection, verification, and processing of eligibility requirements, helping applicants, operators, and city, state, and federal agencies clear operational hurdles.

Russell serves on the board of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) and the advisory board of the NYU Furman Center, and has led panel discussions for organizations including Bisnow, the New York City Bar Association, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey, Russell earned a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Economics and Business Management (Finance) from Gettysburg College and a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Russell A. Kivler’s Newsfeed

City & State New York

The 2025 Law Power 100. The leaders of the legal world in New York.

Russell A. Kivler’s Background

Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP

Partner

2010 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP is a New York-based law firm advising developers, businesses, financial institutions, investors, and individuals across real estate, corporate, litigation, tax, and trust and estate matters. The firm provides strategic legal counsel on complex transactions, dispute resolution, and long-term business planning.

Harmony

Founder

Oct 2024 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Harmony is a housing technology company that develops shared equity solutions designed to make homeownership more accessible. It works with employers, housing providers, and public sector organizations to reduce upfront housing costs and promote long-term housing affordability.

View all Hide

Current Advisory Roles

NYU Furman Center

Member | Advisory Board

New York, NY, USA

The NYU Furman Center, a joint venture of the New York University School of Law and the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, is a leading academic research center dedicated to advancing research and public debate on housing, neighborhoods, land use, and urban policy. Through independent research, data analysis, policy tools, and stakeholder forums, the Center informs housing policy and supports evidence-based decision-making by various organizations in New York City and across the United States.

Philanthropy

New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH)

Board Member

New York, NY, USA

The New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) is a non-profit trade association representing developers, owners, lenders, investors, and other professionals involved in the development, preservation, financing, and management of affordable housing throughout New York State. Through policy advocacy, research, education, and industry events, NYSAFAH works with government and private sector partners to advance housing policy, improve funding programs, and support the delivery of sustainable, cost-effective affordable housing.

Media

Crunchbase

Profile

View Russell's Crunchbase profile here.

Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP

News

New York, NY, USA

View Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP's News & Media here.

Awards & Recognition

City & State New York

Recognized | City & State Law Power 100 list (2025)

2025

New York, NY, USA

The City & State New York 2025 Law Power 100 is an annual ranking compiled by City & State New York that recognizes the most influential figures shaping the state's legal landscape, including leading attorneys, judges, prosecutors, policymakers, academics, and public interest advocates, whose leadership and impact extend across government, private practice, the judiciary, and the broader legal profession, reflecting their influence on law and public policy.

Speaking Engagements

Bisnow | New York Affordable Housing Conference (2026)

Speaker

Jul 2026

New York, NY, USA

The Bisnow New York Affordable Housing Conference brings together developers, investors, lenders, policymakers, and industry professionals to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the affordable housing sector. The event explores topics including financing, development, public policy, regulatory change, and strategies to expand housing supply.