Bronx. He attended Bronx public schools, including the Bronx High School of Science. After high school, he went on to Harvard College, and then Harvard Law School, graduating with both degrees Cum Laude. After law school, Koppell received a post-graduate fellowship from the Maxwell School of Public Administration at Syracuse University to study in India.

Koppell was elected to the State Assembly in 1970 where he served as representative of the Northwest Bronx for 23 years. While serving in the New York State Assembly, he wrote and sponsored 280 laws including the Utility Consumers Bill of Rights, the Returnable Bottle Law and the Automobile "Lemon Law." Environmental Advocates twice voted Koppell as the "Environmental Legislator of the Year." He served as the Chairman of the Environmental Protection, Corporations, and Judiciary Committees of the Assembly. Koppell initiated several important programs that continue to serve the community: the Kingsbridge-Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation, the Association of Riverdale Cooperatives, and the Citizens' Court Monitoring Project.

As State Attorney General, Koppell actively prosecuted consumer fraud, discrimination on the basis of race, family status and disability, environmental pollution and business crime. He acted as special prosecutor in a number of criminal proceedings and personally argued on behalf of the State of New York in the Supreme Court of the United States.

Elected in 1999 as the School Board President for District 10, Koppell fought the Board of Education bureaucracy for more resources, repairs and new equipment. The Chancellor singled out District 10 as one of the three most improved districts in the city.

Koppell was elected to the City Council in 2001. He has various organizational affiliations, including Volunteer Arbitrator of Civil Court of the City of New York, Board Member of the Lawyer's Committee Anti-Defamation League of B'Nai B'rith and the Fund for Modern Courts.

Entered City Council: 01/01/2002
Current Term Expires: 12/31/2009

Represents: Kingsbridge, Riverdale, Woodlawn, Norwood; parts of Bedford Park, Wakefield, Bronx Park East

Committees: Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse & Disability Services (Chair); Consumer Affairs; Education; Environmental Protection; Finance; Technology in Government; Transportation