The incoming mayor named a former de Blasio administration official to run the city’s legal operation and elevated a Queens hospital executive to oversee health and human services
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced additional senior appointments Tuesday, naming new leadership for the New York City’s legal operation and a hospital executive to oversee health and human services as he continues to assemble his administration ahead of inauguration.
Mamdani selected Steve Banks as corporation counsel, the city’s top lawyer, and appointed Ramzi Kassem as chief counsel, a senior advisory position that does not require City Council approval. Banks’ appointment as corporation counsel must be approved by the council.
Meanwhile……..
Mamdani has appointed Ramzi Kassem who defended al Qaeda terrorist Ahmed al-Darbi in court, to be city’s chief council. 🤦🏼♀️ pic.twitter.com/5VvzCPng8P
— Spitfire (@RealSpitfire) December 31, 2025
Banks previously served as commissioner of New York City’s Department of Social Services under former Mayor Bill de Blasio and later led the Legal Aid Society. As corporation counsel, he would direct the Law Department, which represents the city and its agencies in litigation and provides legal guidance to City Hall.
Kassem is a law professor known for civil rights and constitutional litigation and has served in advisory roles at both the city and federal levels. As chief counsel, he will advise the mayor on legal strategy and policy matters but will not manage day-to-day litigation. Some critics have zeroed in on Mamdani’s choice of Kassem as chief counsel-they argue the pick implicates an “ideological” approach to the city’s legal leadership. One local critic via The NY Post said the appointment sends a message that “America haters … have a place in his City Hall.”
In a separate announcement, Mamdani named Helen Arteaga, chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, as Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services.
New: Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is appointing de Blasio administration veteran Steve Banks as NYC’s next corporation counsel.
He’s also tapping Elmhurst Hospital CEO Helen Arteaga as his deputy mayor for health and human services. https://t.co/dgRYy8v2pD
— Chris Sommerfeldt (@C_Sommerfeldt) December 30, 2025
Arteaga has led Elmhurst Hospital, a major safety net and “ethnically-diverse” facility in Queens, since before the COVID-19 pandemic. In her new role, Arteaga will oversee agencies responsible for public health, hospitals, mental health services and social support programs.
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Mamdani said the appointments reflect his priorities heading into office, and additional senior positions remain unfilled as the transition continues. The Mayor-elect is scheduled to be sworn in at the start of the new year.
Lauren Conlin
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