AGENC Y OVERVIE W
I N T R O D U CT I O N
ABOUT THE L AW DEPARTMENT
The New York City Law Department is responsible for
all of New York City’s legal affairs. The Corporation
Counsel heads the Law Department and acts as legal
counsel for the Mayor, elected of?cials, the City, and
its agencies. Attorneys represent New York City on
af?rmative and defensive civil litigation, legislative and
legal issues, the criminal prosecution of juveniles in
Family Court, and Administrative Code enforcement
proceedings brought in Criminal Court.
With of?ces in all ?ve boroughs and Kingston, New York,
the Law Department handles an active caseload of over
80,000 lawsuits and legal matters each year. In addition
to litigation, attorneys draft and review local and State
legislation; approve leases, contracts, and ?nancial
instruments for the sale of municipal bonds; negotiate
and structure business transactions; and provide legal
counsel to City of?cials on a wide range of issues, such
as immigration, education, judicial selection reform, and
environmental policy.
E X ECU TIVE STA FF
Standing from left to right:
Seated from left to right:
MANAGING ATTORNEY
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITY OFFICER
G. Foster Mills
Every day, our millions of residents and visitors
rely on the extraordinary dedication and expertise
of the New York City Law Department. Whether
our attorneys are working in the courtroom, at the
negotiating table, or in the of?ce, they are integral to
keeping our City moving forward.
The Law Department is always looking for smarter
and more streamlined ways of doing things. Over
the past decade, its professionals have successfully
reduced the City’s tort caseload, saved taxpayers
money, and spurred economic development. They
have done it by respecting and protecting New
Yorkers’ rights, drafting innovative legislation, and
pioneering problem-solving strategies in areas from
juvenile justice to pensions to public health.
The 2011 Annual Report provides a look at another
remarkable year for the Law Department. Together
with Michael A. Cardozo, the longest-serving
Corporation Counsel in our City’s modern history, I am
proud to commend our tremendous team of lawyers,
administrators, and operations staff. New Yorkers
truly appreciate their service, and we look forward to
their continued success.
I am pleased to present the New York City Law
Department’s 2011 Annual Report. Our Of?ce strives
for excellence in every regard, and we look with pride
on the past year’s many accomplishments.
CHIEF LITIGATING
ASSISTANT CORPORATION
COUNSEL
Lawrence Kahn
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
CORPORATION COUNSEL
FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
Leonard Koerner
1
CORPORATION COUNSEL
Celeste Koeleveld
Chief
Assistant
Corporation
Counsel
Administrative
Law
Appeals
General
Litigation
Executive
Assistant
Corporation
Counsel
Labor &
Employment
Law
Pensions
Tax &
Bankruptcy
Litigation
Family
Court
Special
Federal
Litigation
Af?rmative
Litgation
Contracts &
Real Estate
Chief
Litigating
Assistant
Corporation
Counsel
Commercial
& Real
Estate
Litigation
Tort
Managing
Attorney
Administration
Operations
Executive
Assistant
Corporation
Counsel for
Public Safety
CORPORATION
COUNSEL
First
Assistant
Corporation
Counsel
Economic
Development
Environmental
Law
Information
Technology
Workers’
Compensation
Legal
Counsel
Municipal
Finance
Michael A. Cardozo
MAYOR
CORPORATION COUNSEL
CHIEF ASSISTANT
CORPORATION COUNSEL
EEO Of?cer
Michael R. Bloomberg
Jeffrey Friedlander
Michael Cardozo
Our many 2011 achievements include defending new
City health initiatives, rigorously pursuing money owed
to the City, drafting and negotiating the transactions
that underlie the latest development projects,
strengthening the City’s criminal justice efforts, and
working to safeguard the environment.
I am privileged to work alongside the ?nest attorneys
and staff as we help build the New York of tomorrow.
The Department’s 17 legal divisions are assisted by
three support divisions, a law library, and Litigation
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