Mayor Adams Nominates Randy Mastro to Serve as New York City's Corporation Counsel

July 30, 2024

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today nominated Randy Mastro as the city’s next corporation counsel. Mastro, a nationally-recognized litigator with a rich history of public service, is a partner at the law firm King and Spalding. He previously served as deputy mayor for operations and City Hall chief of staff from 1994 to 1998, as well as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. As corporation counsel, Mastro will lead the New York City Department of Law, which is primarily responsible for providing legal representation to the City of New York — for the Mayor’s Office, the Public Advocate’s Office, the Comptroller’s Office, city agencies, and the City Council — in all affirmative and defensive civil litigation.  

“I am excited to announce Randy Mastro as the City of New York’s next corporation counsel. 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. Recognized as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America, Randy is among the best known and most respected litigators in the nation and has helped shape the legal world through his extensive body of work. He has led the charge against organized crime in this city, litigated many high-profile public issues on a pro bono basis on behalf of democratic causes, served as vice chair of Legal Aid, and chaired Citizens Union, New York City's revered good government group,” said Mayor Adams. “I also want to thank Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix for her decades of service to New Yorkers, especially her last two years as corporation counsel to our city, as well as Muriel Goode-Trufant for serving as acting corporation counsel over the last two months. Sylvia has played a pivotal role in furthering this administration’s vision to protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make our city more affordable and livable. We are grateful for her service to the people of New York.”  

“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.,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Nominee Randy Mastro. “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. I stand on the shoulders of giants who held this position before me and led a Law Department that has set the standard for excellence in public representation. And I will work tirelessly to deliver the best legal services possible and achieve affirmative successes for the benefit of all New Yorkers.” 

“Randy Mastro’s enormous legal talents are perfectly matched by his great love for New York City, as demonstrated by his decades-long record of public service and pro bono work,” said City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg. “He is an outstanding choice for corporation counsel.” 

Mastro will replace Acting Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant, who took over for Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix, who stepped down from her post at the end of May. Judge Hinds-Radix led the Department of Law since January 2022.  

About Randy Mastro 

Randy Mastro has a long record of both city and federal public service. From 1994 to 1998, he served as deputy mayor for operations and chief of staff to the mayor of New York City. During that time, he helped tackle organized crime and shepherded through sweeping protections for same-sex partnerships, efforts referred to as “historic.” 

From 1985 to 1989, Mastro 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, where he specialized in organized crime cases. During that time, he led the landmark racketeering suit against the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and received the highest recognitions by the U.S. Department of Justice for that work, including the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, the John Marshall Award for Outstanding Legal Achievement, and the Director’s Award for Superior Performance. 

Mastro also has an extensive record of litigating cases on a pro bono basis, including representing peaceful racial justice demonstrators in Washington, D.C. against the Trump administration after they were brutally and abruptly cleared from Lafayette Park with tear gas to make way for a photo op for former President Donald Trump, defending a public-school teacher fired for giving her class an assignment on racism, and successfully advocating for the families of fallen 9/11 firefighter heroes that were entitled to millions in donations. 

Since 2016, Mastro has served as chair of the Citizens Union, a group focused on holding local government accountable and empowering all New Yorkers. He previously served as former vice chair of The Legal Aid Society and as a former board member of The City University of New York, the YMCA, Sanctuary for Families, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Hale House, and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. 

Mastro has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and at Fordham Law School. He has authored and co-authored articles in the Fordham Law Review, Federal Communications Law Journal, University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform, and Seton Hall Law Review, among others. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Yale University and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.  

Under the City Charter, the nominee for corporation counsel must be confirmed by the City Council. 

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