N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 11-229: § 11-229 Solicitation of retainers prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person or his or her or its agents or employee, or any person acting on his or her or its behalf, to solicit, or procure through solicitation, either directly or indirectly, any retainer or agreement:

(a) Authorizing such person, or his or her or its agent, employee or any person acting on his or her or its behalf, to make application to the commissioner of finance or tax commission for the correction of a tentative or final assessed valuation of real property on behalf of an owner of such property or other person claiming to be aggrieved, or

(b) Authorizing such person, or his or her or its agent, employee or any person acting on his or her or its behalf, to appear for such purpose or represent such owner or aggrieved person before such commission or a commissioner or any other officer or employee authorized by law to act upon such application, examine applicants, take testimony, make or recommend the making of a correction of any such assessed valuation, or take any other official action in relation to any such correction. Any violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor.