NYC Mayor Eric Adams nominates litigator Randy Mastro as corporation counsel, facing mixed reactions. Mastro, a former deputy mayor, is backed by prominent lawyers but opposed by some city council members.
New York City, Bollywood Fever: New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday formally nominated litigator Randy Mastro to lead the city’s law department. Mastro, currently a partner at King & Spalding, previously served as chief of staff and deputy mayor for operations from 1994 to 1998 under then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Adams has chosen Mastro as the city’s corporation counsel, the head of the New York City Department of Law, who represents the mayor’s office, city agencies, and the city council in all civil litigation, according to the mayor’s office.
However, Mastro’s nomination has faced opposition, notably from the New York City Council’s Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus. In April, the caucus criticized Mastro’s “professional track record representing dubious clients,” deeming him unfit for the role. The caucus did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
Despite this, Mastro has received public support from prominent lawyers, including former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, as stated by the mayor’s office.
In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, Mastro said he has met with most city council members over the past few months and aims to meet all members during the confirmation process. He described the support from the legal community and union leaders, including the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, as “humbling and gratifying.”
A city council spokesperson stated that the council will consider the nomination within 30 days of formally receiving it at its next meeting.
Mastro, while at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, was hired by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to investigate the politically motivated traffic jams at the George Washington Bridge. The investigation cleared Christie of wrongdoing in 2014.
Mastro also represented Chevron in U.S. litigation over a $9.5 billion environmental judgment against the oil giant in Ecuador, successfully arguing that the award was obtained by fraud. He joined King & Spalding in 2022.
King & Spalding issued a statement on Tuesday wishing Mastro success.
If confirmed by the city council, Mastro will replace acting corporation counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant, who took over after Sylvia Hinds-Radix stepped down in May, the mayor’s office said.
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