Steven Banks, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s nominee for New York Metropolis Company Counsel, tesitfied earlier than Metropolis Council on Feb. 4. Photograph by John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit
Steven Banks, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s alternative to go the town’s Legislation Division, promised the New York Metropolis Council at his Wednesday affirmation listening to he’d be a “lawyer for the entire city” — not solely, and even primarily, an adviser to the mayor.
Banks, who served as the town’s “homelessness czar” below former Mayor Invoice de Blasio, emphasised he plans to be readily accessible to council members and reply authorized questions on payments they’re seeking to move — one thing members, together with Speaker Julie Menin, mentioned was missing in former Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.
Menin and others additionally questioned Banks on whether or not he and his attorneys would supply actually confidential authorized recommendation to members and the way he’d strategy disagreements on legal guidelines between the council and the mayor — for instance, if the council handed a legislation the mayor disagreed with, would Banks assist the mayor block its implementation?
Banks mentioned his Legislation Division’s aim could be to make sure main disagreements like that don’t occur, pledging to give attention to working with all events concerned all through your complete legislative writing course of to place ahead legal guidelines that accomplish the objectives of the council, are in the most effective curiosity of the town and are legally sound.
When pressed on what he’d do if a disagreement did come up, Banks mentioned he’d look to behave in the most effective curiosity of New Yorkers and the town at giant.
“I look forward to representing the whole city, and I look forward to doing what I’ve always done when I’ve had clients that have different points of view: try to reconcile those points of view and ultimately represent the … proper point of view under the law,” Banks mentioned. “I’m not beholden to any institution, any particular elected official. My fidelity is to the rule of law and making sure that the best interests of the city of York are served, regardless of what part of the city is advancing a particular point of view.”
Banks, a former legal professional in chief for the Authorized Assist Society, was an architect within the landmark McCain v. Koch settlement, which established the everlasting and enforceable proper to shelter for households experiencing homelessness in New York Metropolis.
Banks mentioned he’s dedicated to upholding each the appropriate to shelter and sanctuary metropolis protections, bringing a “unique perspective” to the division as somebody who spent 33 years litigating in opposition to it whereas on the Authorized Assist Society.
Members grilled Banks on how he’d deal with the division’s present fits, too, like its protection of former Adams aide Timothy Pearson in misconduct fits and litigation in opposition to CityFHEPS, the town’s rental help program.
Acknowledging that the reply is probably not “the most satisfying,” to members, Banks mentioned he would assessment and reevaluate all present litigation and actions the division is taking.
Banks mentioned he’ll try to establish commonalities among the many lawsuits in opposition to the town with the aim of addressing underlying liabilities prompting folks to sue and hopes to scale back metropolis attorneys’ caseloads.
New York Legal professional Normal Letitia James spoke in assist of Banks’ nomination. She instructed council members she’d stay up for working with him in authorized fights in opposition to the Trump administration and would “coordinate efforts” to guard New Yorkers.
“Given his decades of commitment to public service, he embodies the law as a source of common good for all of us,” James mentioned at Wednesday’s assembly. “For his entire career, no matter the stakes or personal consequence, he has pursued justice for the most vulnerable in the city.”
The council will vote on whether or not to verify Banks at a later date.
