Q&A
Concerns about Mastro's litigation against city policies and potential impact on the law department
3:08:46
·
143 sec
Council Member Restler raises concerns about Randy Mastro's litigation against city policies and questions how this might affect his potential role as head of the law department. Mastro defends his approach and expresses his vision for the role.
- Restler expresses concern about Mastro's recent filings against Local Law 97
- He questions whether Mastro's litigation put law department attorneys in a difficult position
- Restler mentions concerns from law department attorneys about Mastro's combative approach
- Mastro defends his professional relationships and respect for the law department
- He argues that his experience can help improve legislation and make it 'unassailable' in court
- Mastro expresses his vision for transforming the law department to focus on civil rights, constitutional rights, social justice, and public safety
Lincoln Restler
3:08:46
me, this isn't a laughing matter at all.
3:08:47
Please.
3:08:47
The future of our planet is at stake.
3:08:49
The future of our city is at stake.
3:08:50
Someone is the most consequential law that we have enacted in the New York City Council in many years, and it will dramatically drive down our carbon emissions.
3:08:58
And you have been the one working against it and fighting to overturn it.
3:09:02
So, you know, considering you've appeared in court multiple times since you've been mentioned as a potential nominee for this position against the law department, against the city's attorneys, Do you think that you put those attorneys, the law department, in a difficult position to have to argue against their potential future boss?
3:09:21
Furthermore, we've heard from many, several, I'll say, several attorneys of the law department that are concerned about the tactics you have used against the city.
3:09:29
They've noted that you're a win at all costs attorney or that's your mentality, and that they have found you to be highly combative.
3:09:38
Is this the type of approach that we should expect from you?
3:09:41
Should you be confirmed for this position at the helm of the law department?
Randy Mastro
3:09:46
I don't know that to be the case.
3:09:47
I have many friends in the law department.
3:09:49
I have enormous respect for them, but the fact of the matter is when you are litigating against the government, where the legal standards are overwhelmingly in the government's favor.
3:09:59
That, you know, those are always uphill climbs.
3:10:02
But the fact of the matter is I have more than one speed.
3:10:06
I recognize the difference in the roles, and, you know, I have great working relationships with lawyers in general.
3:10:14
So, no, I don't see it at all as an issue of lawyers in the law department fearing that, you know, I had a different position.
3:10:23
I was we're all professionals.
3:10:25
I was a I've been a lawyer representing clients in in private practice, in litigation.
3:10:32
I have great respect for the law department.
3:10:34
I think most members of the law department have great respect for me.
3:10:39
I wouldn't be pursuing this position if I didn't already appreciate and understand and value the lawyers of the law department, and all the law department can do and what more it can do for civil rights, constitutional rights, social justice and public safety.
3:10:59
We can do so much more.
3:11:00
This is a unique opportunity to transform the law department and to get it right.
3:11:07
Thank you.
3:11:08
Appreciate that.
Lincoln Restler
3:11:09
I'd like to just shift gears to another topic.