Solo Practice 2010-present
Small boutique practice focusing on mediation and public interest litigation. Member of Supreme Court New York, Commercial Mediation Panel; Member of Southern District of New York, Federal Mediation Panel.
Executive Director: New York City Charter Revision Commission 4/2010-11/2010
Coordinated a review of the New York City Charter and developed proposals overwhelmingly approved by the voters in the areas of term limits, campaign finance, ballot access, conflicts of interest, environmental justice, and consolidation of administrative tribunals. Oversaw 20 public hearings in the City’s five boroughs and organized five expert forums on Charter related topics.
Nassau County Attorney 2002-2010
Deployed 108 lawyers in nine specialized bureaus covering areas including civil rights, labor and employment, real estate transactions, contracts, tax certiorari, family law, torts, commercial litigation.
Supervised the reorganization and revitalization of the County’s museums and historic properties; negotiated agreements with “Friends” groups; executed legal work for the restoration of Nassau County’s historic courthouse.
Performed the analytical and legal work which resulted in 11 bond upgrades, the ability of the County to go to the credit markets on its own, the curtailment of supervision by NIFA, the creation of reserves and the reduction of borrowing to pay tax certiorari refunds.
- Reduced judgments and settlements against the County on average by over 50%.
- Reduced reliance on outside counsel and recruited highly motivated staff with specialized legal skills based solely on merit.
- Managed legal relationship with County Legislature, Comptroller, Clerk, Nassau Health Care Corporation, Board of Elections, and Nassau Community College.
Assistant Corporation Counsel: New York City Law Department 1976-2001
Member of the executive staff; handled all press relations for the Department initiated and led the Affirmative Litigation Division.
Challenged the U.S. Census in 1990 and 2000 to correct the urban undercount and provide for fairer representation and allocation of monies to large urban centers.
Brought the largest CERCLA case in the Country at the time against Exxon and other major corporations to clean up the toxic waste generated by them and illegally disposed of in the City’s landfills.
Challenged the elimination of federal benefits for legal immigrants.
Targeted discrimination in the construction trades and by real estate brokers and employment agencies.
Sought restitution for the costs of asbestos and lead paint abatement as well as the expenditures associated with containment of the illegal secondary gun market.
Brought first case challenging State under-funding of public education.
Brought first suit in State against tobacco companies resulting in a settlement that has providedNew York Citywith approximately $260 million a year.
Associate Attorney: Silberfield, Danziger & Bangser 1975-1976