"Paul Weiss' ex-pro bono chief Steve Banks, who left after the firm's deal with President Donald Trump, will lead the New York City Law Department, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said, putting a longtime liberal advocate in the city government's top legal position. Mamdani announced on Tuesday that Banks is his pick for the role, called corporation counsel, touting Banks' background litigating on behalf of homeless people and low-income tenants."
"Banks joined Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison in 2022 after serving for nearly eight years as commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services under New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Before that, Banks worked for three decades at the Legal Aid Society, the country's largest provider of indigent legal services, becoming attorney-in-chief of the nonprofit."
Zohran Mamdani selected Steven Banks to lead the New York City Law Department as corporation counsel, a role requiring City Council confirmation. Corporation counsel oversee roughly 850 attorneys who defend the city or sue on its behalf. Banks served nearly eight years as commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services under Mayor Bill de Blasio and spent three decades at the Legal Aid Society, becoming attorney-in-chief. Banks joined Paul Weiss in 2022 but left in April after the firm agreed to provide $40 million in pro bono services tied to the Trump administration. Since then he has practiced privately and is described on LinkedIn as a public interest social justice attorney. Mamdani highlighted Banks' litigation on behalf of homeless people and low-income tenants and his reputation as a champion for marginalized New Yorkers.
Read at news.bloomberglaw.com
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