What They're Saying: Former Federal Prosecutors and Government Attorneys Praise Mayor Adams' Nomination of Randy Mastro as City's Next Corporation Counsel

July 30, 2024

NEW YORK – Today, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Randy Mastro as his nominee to be the city’s next corporation counsel. Randy Mastro is a nationally-renowned lawyer; an experienced public servant with an impressive record in government service; a long-time pro bono advocate for social justice, civil rights, and constitutional rights; a leader of revered civic organizations; and a proven leader committed to diversity and inclusion.
Here's what former federal prosecutors and government attorneys are saying:

“One of the most sought-after and talented legal minds in the country, Randy Mastro has dedicated his life to public service, good governance, and fighting tirelessly for justice,” said Loretta Lynch, former Attorney General of the United States. “I cannot think of anyone more qualified for this position and I know that he will be a fierce advocate for the people of the City of New York.”

“Randy is an inspired choice for corporation counsel,” said Mary Jo White, former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. “His brilliance as a lawyer is matched by his deep love for New York City. “He works constructively and creatively to bring people together to achieve solutions. We would all be very fortunate to have Randy’s talents and dedication put to work for the public good.”

“I cannot think of a more qualified person to be New York City’s corporation counsel,” said Jeh Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama Administration. “I have known Randy for 35 years since our days together as Assistant United States Attorneys. Randy is a committed public servant who has promoted the public good in a variety of roles — federal prosecutor fighting organized crime, deputy mayor, vice chair of the Legal Aid Society, and chair of the revered good government organization, Citizens Union. Randy is one of the leaders of the bar in this city.  He is well known in the community as a principled person of stature and achievement. New Yorkers are exceedingly fortunate that Randy, at this stage of his career, is willing to depart from a successful private law practice to return to public service as corporation counsel.”

“While I am not a New Yorker, I have recently come to know Randy as a partner in my law firm,” said Sally Q. Yates, former Deputy U.S. Attorney General in the Obama administration and former Acting U.S. Attorney General. “I’ve been struck not only by his legal acumen, which is second to none, but also by his indefatigable commitment to fighting for good. Randy is drawn to public service for all the right reasons, and the people of New York would have a tenacious legal champion in Randy.”

“Randy Mastro is an exceptional choice for this important and challenging legal role,” said James Comey, former director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), former Deputy U.S. Attorney General, and former U.S. attorney, Southern District of New York (SDNY). “I have known Randy for nearly four decades since we served together in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the SDNY. He has the personal character, legal chops, and leadership skills to be an outstanding corporation counsel for the City of New York. He is strong, independent, and speaks his mind, which is so important in government.”

“I am very pleased to support Randy Mastro’s nomination to become the city’s next corporation counsel,” said Louis Freeh, former director, FBI and federal judge, Southern District of New York. “Randy is an outstanding public servant and excellent attorney who will bring great value to the mayor and people of New York City. When I was Deputy U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Randy and I worked closely to eliminate corruption and organized crime influence in one of the nation’s largest labor unions. Randy’s legal skills are matched with his integrity and respect for the rule of law and will be a great corporation counsel.”

“Randy Mastro is an inspired selection to be corporation counsel. He is a superb litigator and gifted trial lawyer with great judgment, who has a real commitment to public service and is willing to make the financial sacrifice to serve,” said Gary Naftalis, senior partner, Kramer Levin; board member, Citizens Union; former federal prosecutor. “I’ve been privileged to know Randy for decades, going back to when he was an assistant United States attorney in the Southern District of New York and know firsthand what a special lawyer he is. I also know firsthand from serving with him on the Citizens Union Board over the past several years how committed he is to good government, public service, and the City of New York.”

“Randy Mastro’s breadth of experience as a public servant, federal prosecutor, and private attorney make him a great nominee to be the next corporation counsel for New York City,” said David N. Kelley, former U.S. attorney, Southern District of New York. “In private practice, he has used his talents to fight against government overreach and promote social justice. During his time as a federal prosecutor, he upheld the public trust without fear or favor. Having someone of his caliber serve in this position is a major win for the residents of New York.”

“Randy is exceptionally well-qualified to serve in this important legal position,” said Alan Vinegrad, senior counsel, Covington & Burling and former U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of New York. “I’ve litigated against and alongside Randy, when we were both federal prosecutors and in private practice, most recently, in connection with the defense of Chevron and two of its senior lawyers, one of whom I represented, who were falsely charged in Ecuador but later exonerated. I've encountered few lawyers as brilliant, dedicated, hard-working, passionate — and successful — as Randy.  His dedication to public service and other worthy causes is well-known. His advocacy skills are first-rate. In the Chevron matter, for example, Randy’s extraordinary, years-long efforts were instrumental in exposing one of the largest litigation frauds ever — a multi-billion-dollar fraudulent Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron that was convincingly proven to be the product of corruption and fraud, ultimately resulting in the U.S. lawyer who perpetrated it being disbarred and going to prison. I’m confident that Randy Mastro will be an excellent corporation counsel, as we will all benefit from his intellect, experience, judgment, and dedication to the best interests of our city."

“I've known Randy Mastro for about 40 years. He is a first-rate lawyer of the highest integrity, and he possesses a deep commitment to public service," said John Gleeson, former federal prosecutor and Eastern District of New York federal district judge. “He would bring to the role of corporation counsel all of the qualities we should look for in the person who occupies that extremely important position in city government.”

“I have known Randy Mastro for decades as an excellent lawyer with a deep commitment to public service. Throughout the years he has been highly regarded in the New York legal community as a fierce advocate for his clients, which will bring enormous value to the citizens of New York City,” said Alan Levine, senior counsel, Cooley LLP; president, Legal Aid Society, and former federal prosecutor. “The corporation counsel position is a perfect role for him that brings together his dedication to the public good with his skills as a litigator and counselor.”

“Randy is an extraordinary lawyer, advocate and leader, who will fight for all that is important for our great city,” said Barry H. Berke, partner, Kramer Levin and former special counsel to the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. “He has the experience, strategic judgment, and moral compass that will make him a great corporation counsel. New York City will be very well served by Randy's decision to return to public service for this critical role.”

“Randy Mastro is one of the finest and most public-spirited lawyers that I know,” said Norman Eisen, Esq., special counsel for ethics and government reform to President Obama; co-counsel, House Judiciary Committee; co-founder, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “Randy is deeply respected in New York and across the country for his skill, his integrity, and his commitment to a cause to which I have dedicated my professional career: good government and protecting our democracy. That is evident by his distinguished tenure as the chair of Citizens Union, but it is a thread that runs through his entire professional life. There could not be a finer choice to become the city's top lawyer.”

“I first met Randy Mastro a decade ago in the toughest of times when I was Governor Christie's counsel and the 'Bridgegate' scandal had just broken in the news media, and I am so grateful to have worked with him then and since, because he is one of the best lawyers I have ever known," said Chris Porrino, head of litigation, Lowenstein Sandler; former New Jersey Attorney General; former counsel to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. "When we first met, I knew that Randy was a lifelong Democrat, having had extensive experience in high profile matters involving local, state and federal government.  What I did not know but came to learn, as we worked closely together over the ensuing months, was that Randy is a fearless and extraordinarily effective attorney.  Randy worked tirelessly in defense of the Office of the Governor responding to dozens of subpoenas and government requests.  Over the span of a few short months, Randy led a team of lawyers and completed a "top to bottom" investigation into all legal and factual aspects of the 'Bridgegate' matter.  He reached conclusions that ultimately stood the test of time, because three subsequent government investigations reached the same factual conclusions, and the U.S.

Supreme Court reached the same legal conclusions. Knowing his work would be controversial, no matter what conclusions he reached, Randy put politics to the side, and followed the facts and the law.  If New York City wants a fearless and brilliant advocate of impeccable integrity as its corporation counsel, it would be wise to choose Randy Mastro.”
 

###