Committee on Rules, Privileges, Elections, Standards and Ethics meeting
February 4, 2026, 1:00 PM
The Committee on Rules, Privileges, Elections, Standards and Ethics held an initial hearing on the nomination of Steven Banks for Corporation Counsel of the City of New York.
What was discussed
- Chair opens the confirmation hearing for Corporation Counsel Chairperson Sandra Ung opened the Rules Committee hearing on Mayor Mamdani's nomination of Steven Banks for Corporation Counsel, summarized the office's powers and duties, and Speaker Julie Menin welcomed the nominee before he was sworn in.
- Steven Banks's opening statement to the committee Nominee Steven Banks told the committee he sought the position because the Corporation Counsel is the lawyer for the City of New York — not for the Mayor personally — and recounted his decades helping New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, framing his approach to the role.
- Will the Law Department serve the whole city, and can it be rebuilt after staffing cuts? Speaker Julie Menin asked how Banks views the Law Department's function within the executive branch and about the Mayor's pledge to hire hundreds of new lawyers amid fiscal constraints. Banks said the department serves the city as a whole, said he had worked through hard economic times before, and
- Will the Law Department drop the CityFHEPS appeal, release the 9/11 files, and reconsider representing Timothy Pearson? Speaker Julie Menin pressed on the CityFHEPS voucher litigation, releasing September 11th files ahead of the 25th anniversary, and the Law Department's representation of former Adams aide Timothy Pearson. Banks, who said he helped create CityFHEPS as DSS Commissioner, said a settlement would likely
- How will the Law Department handle conflicts between the Council and the administration? Chairperson Sandra Ung questioned Banks on the ethical walls when Law Department attorneys advise both the Council and the administration, whether the department would use Council-shared documents against it in adverse litigation, whether the Mayor's objections to bills would be stated in writing
- Attorney General endorses the nominee State Attorney General Letitia James addressed the committee mid-hearing with a statement in support of Steven Banks's nomination.
- On the presumption of validity of local laws and the use of emergency powers Deputy Speaker Nantasha M. Williams and Majority Leader Shaun Abreu questioned Banks on defending the presumption of validity of local legislative enactments and on the past administration's use of emergency executive powers under Section 24 of the state Executive Law. Banks agreed local laws carry
- On sanctuary-city immigration litigation and the right to shelter Minority Leader David M. Carr questioned Banks on litigation with the federal government over immigration enforcement and on the right to shelter. Banks said the city would continue to vigorously defend its sanctuary provisions in ongoing litigation despite their disagreement, and credited the right
- On public-interest lawyering, navigating conflicts, and first-100-days priorities Council Members Shekar Krishnan and Kevin C. Riley asked Banks, a fellow public-interest lawyer, how he would navigate conflicts and what he would prioritize early on. Banks likened the role to his time leading an agency, cited evacuating clients at the start of COVID as an example of navigating
- On Council relationships and the Law Department's role in the Mayor's agenda Council Members Pierina Ana Sanchez and Crystal Hudson asked about working relationships on bill drafting and how Banks views the department's role in advancing the Mayor's policy agenda. Banks emphasized keeping a focus on the people affected and described the Law Department as a key part of
- On rebuilding Law Department staffing, the 9/11 health bill, and FOIL transparency Council Members Lincoln Restler and Gale A. Brewer pressed on the hollowing-out of Law Department headcount, support for Brewer's 9/11 health legislation and continued DOI research, and FOIL transparency. Banks said the Mayor has been clear about the damage of understaffing, voiced support for
- On the David Leviton vendor questions and switching sides to defend the city Council Members Phil Wong and Lynn C. Schulman questioned Banks about New York Post reporting on DHS spending and vendor David Leviton, about moving from suing the city to defending it, and about the Mayor's pledge to hire roughly 200 lawyers. Banks disputed the Post's account, said his agency
- On tort settlements, the risk-assessment unit, and NYPD litigation Council Members Kayla Santosuosso and Tiffany L. Cabán questioned Banks on the tort division and the value of early settlement and assessment, the phasing-out of the risk-assessment unit, fraudulent claims against the city, NYPD practices around unlawful arrests and sealed youth records, and Rikers.
- On the right to shelter for migrants, encampment policy, and the anti-BDS order Council Member Inna Vernikov questioned Banks on whether undocumented migrants have a right to shelter, whether reversing the encampment take-down policy exposes the city to liability, and whether the city may impose a boycott of Israel or repeal the anti-BDS executive order. Banks explained the
- Supporters and a disruption close out the nomination hearing Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Chief and CEO of the Legal Aid Society, and Brendan McGuire, a partner at WilmerHale, testified in support of the nomination, McGuire calling Banks the kind of principled lawyer the city needs as Corporation Counsel. Towaki Komatsu, testifying for himself, referenced his
Agenda
1 item
- M 0027-2026 Communication from the Mayor - Submitting the name Steven Banks to the Council for its advice and consent regarding his appointment to be the Corporation Counsel, pursuant to Section 31 of the City Charter. Hearing Held by Committee