The nomination of Randy Mastro as New York City's Corporation Counsel by Mayor Eric Adams is facing significant opposition. Mastro, a lawyer from King & Spalding with a history of defending conservative causes and clients such as Chevron, is criticized for his potential conflicts of interest, including representing the Turkish government and his track record on human rights. The city's 34-member Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, comprising 34 of the 51 City Council members, has expressed firm opposition, citing Mastro's unsuitability for the role. This resistance is compounded by concerns that Mastro's appointment could replace Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix, who is seen as more aligned with the city's interests. Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg has defended Mastro, highlighting his pro bono work and referencing John Adams, but skepticism remains high.
.@NYCMayor & his counsel praising Randy Mastro in anticipation of nominating him for Corp Counsel. That post needs @NYCCouncil approval, & it sounds like his nomination is dead before arrival.
Without, technically, admitting they want to hire Randy Mastro, Adams says it's a slippery slope to go after a lawyer based on the clients they represent. And Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg defends Mastro at length, highlighting that he also did pro bono work, and Legal Aid.
First question on today's Off Topic Tuesday is about Randy Mastro, a likely pick to replace Judge Sylvia Hinds Radix. We're getting a full-throated defense of Mastro by chief counsel Lisa Zornberg, going all the way back to John Adams (no relation to the mayor)
Opposition growing to @Chevron lawyer Randy Mastro's appointment as New York City's lawyer. Mastro is a serial human rights violator who orchestrated my arbitrary detention and whose attacks on Amazon Indigenous peoples have resulted in numerous deaths. ⬇️ https://t.co/vW39v1wNzU
It’s not just lefties opposed to Mastro, as we reported last week - there’s widespread opposition in the council. And it might not help with BLAC that Black woman Judge Hinds-Radix is the one being replaced. https://t.co/IJNFP2kQyN
The city council’s 34-member Black, Latino and Asian caucus opposes Mayor Eric Adams’ push to name Randy Mastro as corporation counsel: https://t.co/YYzqvg6OdB
Inbox: The City Council's Black, Latino & Asian Caucus — which comprises 34 of its 51 members — says the caucus is "firm in its opposition" to Mayor Adams' expected nomination of Randy Mastro as NYC's next corp counsel. "Mastro is unfit to serve," statement says. https://t.co/ZU4XBMkLFY
NEW: Statement from the BLAC rejecting @NYCMayor's nomination of Randy Mastro for Corporation Counsel. "We deserve better than someone who has fought for the interests of top-earners, abusive corporations, and vindictive politicians." 🔗⤵️ https://t.co/9Z96vwuMAA
Adams’ pick for corp counsel, Randy Mastro, works at King & Spalding — which represents the Turkish government. That could help the mayor, *if* he’s appointed and *if* this federal investigation goes a specific way. So Mastro may recuse. First in Playbook: https://t.co/Rqz5V7WXz1 https://t.co/TgZyiVCTUu
Randy Mastro's track record for defending conservatives and their causes may sink his chances of being approved as the city’s new top lawyer before he’s even been officially nominated, according to lawmakers. https://t.co/PFICD6JbhU
With Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix, even in disagreement, you always got the sense she had the city's best interest in mind. She rightly viewed herself as NYC's attorney Randy Mastro will most certainly be the mayor's attorney We should be concerned. https://t.co/NYHGmlBAUJ