Mamdani’s Legal Chief Pick Pledges to Defend NYC Against Trump

Former Paul Weiss pro bono chief Steve Banks, tapped to head New York City’s legal office, told the City Council Wednesday he would defend sanctuary city laws, fight the federal government’s immigration enforcement actions, and bolster the city’s law department if chosen to lead the agency.

“The city needs strong, creative, effective law department now more than ever,” Banks said during his confirmation hearing for corporation counsel leading the New York City Law Department.

While Banks declined to provide details about how he would fight back against the federal government, he emphasized he’ll be a “vigorous advocate” for the city’s decades-old sanctuary city laws that limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The Trump administration sued the city in July saying its policies are unconstitutional and make it harder for federal immigration officers to do their jobs. The Adams administration moved to dismiss the suit late last year.

“As the chief legal officer in the city, if I’m confirmed, that it’s my obligation to defend that law that was duly enacted, and which I think was enacted for the right reasons,” Banks said.

Banks, who Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) nominated in December, would be the first public service lawyer to serve in the role that oversees more than 850 attorneys for the city. He was formerly CEO of the Legal Aid Society and commissioner of the city Department of Social Services under former Mayor Bill de Blasio (D).

Paul Weiss

Banks left Paul Weiss in April, weeks after it struck an agreement with President Donald Trump to dedicate $40 million in pro bono legal services to support the administration’s goals. That agreement got Paul Weiss out of an executive order against the firm.

His commitment to the rules of professional conduct is “one of the reasons why I left Paul Weiss,” he said at least twice during the hearing.

“I thought the president’s executive order would have prevented me from adhering to the rules of professional conduct as I saw them,” Banks said.

Banks has already been working with the agency as pro bono counsel, including arguing on behalf of the city to stop real estate investment firm Summit Properties USA from purchasing apartments placed into bankruptcy in May by Pinnacle Group LLC. A federal bankruptcy judge last month rejected the city’s arguments and approved the $451 million purchase.

“I wanted to make sure I could hit the ground running and to be able to work with the Law Department lawyers,” he said.

‘A Fresh Start’

Council members expressed concern about disagreements and lack of communication with former Mayor Eric Adams’ (D) administration, including over Adams’ refusal to expand the City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement rental assistance program and his attempt to open an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Rikers Island.

“I know there’s overhang from the last four years, but I want a fresh start,” Banks said.

He reassured council members that he hopes to settle a lawsuit over expansion of the CityFHEPS program. A Manhattan appellate court in July ruled in favor of the city council, saying it’s allowed to administer the program using city funds and that the mayor’s office must enforce the council’s plan.

Banks also said he would like to make the Law Department more efficient, including by prioritizing judgments and claims brought against the city that could be affecting the budget, as well as hiring more lawyers.

“I think one thing to focus on is risk mitigation. That’s a role the law department can play to evaluate what lawsuits are being brought against city, what are the causes of action that are being asserted, which ones are being brought over and over again,” he said.

If confirmed, Banks would succeed Muriel Goode-Trufant, who Adams picked to lead the department in 2024. Adams’ first pick, Randy Mastro, withdrew from consideration after a contentious confirmation hearing during which council members expressed numerous concerns with his background, including his work in former Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s (R) administration. Adams later tapped Mastro to be First Deputy Mayor.