Committee Members

Mayoral Appointees

Andrew Rendeiro
Chair
Andrew S. Rendeiro is an attorney concentrating his practice on criminal defense and civil rights litigation in both the state and federal courts. He is a past President of the Kings County Criminal Bar Association and a former member of the board of trustees of the Brooklyn Bar Association. Andrew also served on the state of New York Grievance Committee for the 2nd, 11th and 13th judicial districts. Currently, Andrew is also SVP and Chief Strategy Officer for Vital Strategies, a global public health organization working to strengthen public health systems in over 70 low and middle income countries.

Robert A. Gigante
Robert A. Gigante is a Global Security Executive at J.P. Morgan Chase where he has spent the last 10 years. Prior to that he spent over a decade with the New York City Department of Investigation where he served as the Inspector General for the Department of Correction, Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Business Integrity Commission and the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Additionally, Robert has worked as an attorney for the New York City Fire Department and practiced Business Litigation for a Manhattan law firm. Robert has a Juris Doctorate and a Masters of Business Administration from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College.

Bradley Gerstman
Brad Gerstman is a leading attorney, lobbyist, and government relations specialist with a diverse background in business, tech, energy, education, transportation, real estate and media. As both a personal donor and successful fundraiser, Brad has built a political career that spans all levels of government and encompasses pertinent figures from both sides of the political aisle.

Shana McCormick
Shana McCormick is a NYC native with a passion to ensure all who cross her path leave with a smile. She has a background in accounting and property management and spent over 11 years within that profession. It was during the pandemic when she volunteered to help with the rollout of a non-profit food relief program. Within the first few weeks of the program, she quickly became involved in the day to day activities, logistics and found herself deeply committed to the tasks at hand. Having grown up on public assistance and experienced food insecurity first hand, she felt a true responsibility to see that the program helps as many individuals as possible and creates a lasting impact. Shana currently serves as the Executive Director for the nonprofit and takes great pride in serving her NYC neighbors with dignity and grace. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, cycling and exploring all the City and State has to offer from trying new restaurants, checking out local farmers markets and discovering new hiking trails.

William G. Forero
William G. Forero is an attorney who lives and works in the Bronx. Will received his Juris Doctor from St. John's University, where he attended on a full academic scholarship. He is an associate at Pryor Law and specializes in personal injury litigation and real estate transactions.

Hasani Branford
Hasani Branford currently serves the community as an emergency medical technician and EMS educator.
Previously, he was a member of the FDNY and served as a New York City Fire Fighter and Fire Marshal. He is committed to continuing his work and dedication for our city as a committee member.

Law School Appointees

Michael B. Siller
Michael B. Siller is a Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Counsel for New York Law School, where he provides legal advice and counsel to the Dean and other high-level members of the School administration. He is also the School's Principal Designated School Official for Student Visa Affairs, and an Adjunct Professor. Before joining NYLS in February 2020, Michael had an almost 25-year career in New York State and New York City government. He spent over 17 years at the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), including as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel, and as an Inspector General. Before joining DOI, Michael served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York, Office of the Attorney General, working in the Litigation Bureau. Prior to joining the OAG, Michael spent several years in private practice in New York City as a commercial litigator, including for Seward & Kissel. Michael received his B.A. from Duke University, and his J.D. from Boston University.

Lindsey Rubinstein
Lindsey Rubinstein is an Associate at Ween & Kozek PLLC, a boutique Brooklyn-based law firm specializing in representing tenants all over the City in disputes over Loft Law coverage and legalization in addition to rent stabilization. Prior to Ween & Kozek, she worked as a Right to Counsel attorney in Bronx Housing Court with the Urban Justice Center – Safety Net Project. Before working in NYC tenant defense, she worked on class action cases protecting the rights of public school students in the South as a Law Fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Lindsey is a graduate of American University and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Richard Velasquez
Richard Velasquez is currently a Staff Attorney with the Goddard Riverside Law Project and represents low-income tenants in New York County Housing Court, Supreme Court and NYCHA proceedings. He has worked defending tenants' rights since 2016 beginning with his work as an organizer with RiseBoro, advocating on behalf of tenants in Brooklyn. He is a member of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and a recipient of the 2019 Dare to Dream Scholarship. He is a graduate of City University of New York ("CUNY") Baruch College and CUNY School of Law.

First Department Presiding Justice Appointees

Edda Santiago
Edda Santiago is currently Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at Covenant House International. Previously, she was an attorney at the Legal Aid Society where she defended low-income tenants in New York City. She began her legal career in the real estate group of an international law firm before joining a boutique firm where she advised clients on estate planning and tax matters and served as outside counsel to nonprofits and foundations. Ms. Santiago is a 2014 graduate from St. John's University School of Law where she was awarded the Ronald H. Brown Scholarship, the Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship, the Arent Fox Diversity Scholarship and the National Women Lawyers Association Award. In 2018, she completed an Advanced Professional Certificate in Taxation from New York University School of Law. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from Florida International University and completed graduate work at American University's School of International Service. Ms. Santiago serves on the Board of the Hispanic National Bar Association VIA Fund and previously served on her Community Board's Housing and Human Services Committee and St. John's Law School Alumni Association Board of Directors.

David DeStefano
David opened the Law Office of David DeStefano, PLLC in 2012 and represents a diverse client base spanning from those accused of murder to those launching small businesses. His practice includes high-profile federal criminal defense, including RICO and an array of both criminal and civil fraud cases. Mr. DeStefano defends clients against SEC investigations and federal matters across the country as well as defending small businesses against cases brought under The Americans with Disabilities Act. In 2023, he was selected by The National Trial Lawyers organization as a "Top 100" and "40 Under 40" attorney in New York and was added to the ranks of the Lawyers of Distinction for his work in criminal defense law.

Second Department Presiding Justice Appointees

Carl Forbes, Jr.
Carl Forbes Jr. is the founder and managing attorney of CFJ Law PLLC, which provides legal services focused on Real Estate, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, and Guardianship throughout New York. He is also a husband, father, brother, son, Jamaican citizen by heritage, and a first-generation American. Carl is the President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, New York State's largest predominantly Black bar association whose purpose, among other things, is to advance equality and excellence in the pursuit of justice. He is a former Adjunct Professor of Law at New York Law School and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Bronx Alumni Chapter). Carl received his B.A., cum laude, in Philosophy, Politics & Law from Binghamton University, and his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.

Sharifa Milena Nasser
Ms. Nasser runs a solo law practice in Queens, New York and concentrates in the areas of Matrimonial, Family and Criminal Law. Ms. Nasser also serves as a per diem Judicial Hearing Officer for the Office of Administrative Trials & Hearings (OATH) and an Impartial Hearing Officer for the New York State Department of Education, where she adjudicates claims arising under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). She is also on the Board of Managers for the Queens County Bar Association (QCBA). She has also served as a Committee Member for the Judicial Screening Committee and Member of the Attorney Grievance Committee for the QCBA. She is also a Delegate on behalf of the QCBA for the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) House of Delegates. Ms. Nasser is the Vice President (2nd) for the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County (LLAQC). She is a graduate of John Jay College and Albany Law School.

Erik Rubinstein
Erik Rubinstein is a commercial litigation attorney whose practice focuses on media law, First Amendment litigation, and regulatory and internal investigations. He worked as a Detective Squad Commander in the NYPD and has experience investigating financial crimes, fraud, hate crimes, special victims offenses, and public corruption. Erik has served as Secretary of the New York City Bar Association's Committee on New York City Affairs and as advisor to various community and philanthropic organizations. Erik has JD from New York Law School and a BA in Economics and Political Science from NYU.