Get ready, New York City, because the person who helped to defend “Bridgegate” in New Jersey is trying to become the city’s top lawyer. He also may finally kill congestion pricing.
Mayor Eric Adams has nominated Randy Mastro, a prominent litigator and partner at King and Spalding, to serve as New York City’s next corporation counsel.
Mastro, a former deputy mayor and federal prosecutor, will replace Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix, one of Brooklyn’s most respected jurists, who ran the Brooklyn Supreme Court, Civil Term, and served on the Appellate Division, Second Department. Judge Hinds-Radix stepped down amidst controversy within the Mayor’s Office.
Mastro’s nomination comes as he currently represents the state of New Jersey in a lawsuit against New York City’s congestion pricing plan and has a history of representing high-profile clients, including former Gov. Chris Christie in the “Bridgegate” scandal and Chevron in a pollution case in Ecuador. His work has earned him recognition as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America.
“I am excited to announce Randy Mastro as the City of New York’s next corporation counsel,” said Mayor Adams. “Randy is a world-renowned attorney who brings decades of experience as a public servant, federal prosecutor, preeminent trial lawyer, and as someone who has built a career around fighting corruption, delivering justice for 9/11 families and non-profit organizations, advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, championing racial justice, and standing up to the Trump administration.”
Mastro expressed his enthusiasm for the role and said, “I am humbled and honored to have this opportunity to return to city government. I am a passionate advocate in the courtroom and a proud New Yorker who loves this city. So, when presented with this chance of a lifetime to use my legal skills to harness the power of government to do good and improve New Yorkers’ lives, I am answering the call.”
Mastro’s extensive background in public service includes his tenure as deputy mayor for operations and chief of staff to the mayor of New York City from 1994 to 1998, where he tackled organized crime and supported protections for same-sex partnerships. He also served as assistant U.S. attorney and deputy chief of the Civil Division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York from 1985 to 1989, leading significant cases such as the racketeering suit against the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Despite his qualifications, Mastro’s nomination has sparked controversy. The City Council must approve the nominee for corporation counsel, and 34 of the 51 Council members have already signed a letter opposing Mastro’s appointment.
The Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus stated, “Given his professional track record representing dubious clients, Mastro is unfit to serve as the city’s chief lawyer.”
Mastro will replace Acting Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant, who stepped in after Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix’s departure at the end of May. Judge Hinds-Radix, who served as corporation counsel since January 2022, was reportedly pushed out after criticizing the mayor’s plan to have the Law Department represent him in a sex assault case.
