 He studied at Oxford University and then practiced law with his brother in Albany, New York, from 1963 to 1973.Originally a Democrat allied with Daniel P. O'Connell and Erastus Corning 2nd, Kahn was Albany's Assistant Corporation Counsel from 1963 to 1968.After the Democratic Party in Albany County was not receptive to his desire to become a judge, Kahn switched parties.