New York City Law Department Announces Two Key Executive Staff Appointments

January 23, 2023

Appoints Eric Eichenholtz as Managing Attorney

Appoints Justice Ruth Shillingford (Ret.) as Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel for Criminal Justice

New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix today announced the appointment of Eric Eichenholtz as the Law Department's new Managing Attorney and Justice Ruth Shillingford (Ret.) to the newly-created position of Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel for Criminal Justice. Both individuals are dedicated public servants who bring decades of legal experience to City government. Eichenholtz started his career at the Law Department in 2001 as a Summer Honors Intern and rose to become a member of the office's executive team overseeing litigating divisions, including the Labor & Employment Division, which handles lawsuits brought by employees, and advises on Citywide labor issues. As Managing Attorney, he will continue to oversee this Division as well as direct the operations of the Law Department, which has 850 lawyers and 750 support staff.

As Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel for Criminal Justice, Justice Shillingford will oversee the Law Department's Family Court Division which prosecutes juvenile delinquency cases and handles interstate child support matters in Family Court across the five boroughs. As the Law Department's chief liaison to the various public law enforcement agencies, including the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice and District Attorneys, Justice Shillingford will ensure the interactions with these agencies are coordinated to advance the interests of the City.

"Eric Eichenholtz and Justice Ruth Shillingford are two passionate public servants who bring a wealth of experience and institutional knowledge to their new roles. They will be an asset to the Law Department as we work to protect the interests of the City and New Yorkers," said New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix. "Eric has helped the City through some of its most challenging labor cases and responded to the novel labor issues and legal questions raised during the pandemic. I am confident his skills will be put to excellent use as managing attorney. As a distinguished member of the judiciary and through her work as a prosecutor, Justice Shillingford has demonstrated intelligence, compassion, and a lifelong commitment to justice, values that will guide her work in this position coordinating with law enforcement agencies that serve our communities.  I am extremely proud to have these two dedicated public servants join the Law Department in these key executive positions."

"I thank Corporation Counsel Hinds-Radix for entrusting me with such an important leadership role in one of the finest public law offices in the country," said Managing Attorney Eric Eichenholtz. "My guiding principles in every decision I make will be to further the interests of the City and uphold its  values of excellence, integrity, and professionalism that have been the longstanding hallmarks of this office."

"Public service is an important part of my life and I am truly honored to be able to continue serving the people of this City," said Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel for Criminal Justice, Hon. Ruth Shillingford. "I  appreciate Corporation Counsel Hinds-Radix for having the confidence in me to manage  this important position at this critical time for our City, and I look forward to working with the talented professionals of the Law Department."

About Eric Eichenholtz

Eric Eichenholtz was formerly the Chief Assistant for Employment and Policy Litigation of the New York City Law Department. In this role, he oversaw the Affirmative Litigation, E-Discovery, Labor and Employment Law and Workers' Compensation Divisions. Before joining the Law Department's Executive staff, Eric was the Chief of the Labor and Employment Law Division, where he handled a wide variety of labor cases. Prior to that he was a deputy in the division. He joined the Law Department in 2001 as a Summer Honors Intern in the General Litigation Division. Eric was the recipient of the 2020 Corporation Counsel's Award for Distinguished Legal Service and the 2019 New York County Lawyers Association Public Service Award. He is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and Binghamton University.

About Justice Ruth Shillingford

Justice Ruth Shillingford brings decades of legal experience, including criminal court judge and prosecutor, to City government. She served 12 years as an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, Kings County, where she handled a range of felony hearings and trials and served as a backup Youth Part Judge. Prior to that role, she was Assistant Deputy Chief Court Attorney at the Appellate Division, First Department; a Unit Chief with the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor with the New York County District Attorney's Office; and an attorney in private practice.  Justice Shillingford has served on a variety of boards and associations. She is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Lincoln University (PA).