New York City Council
Committee on Rules, Privileges and Elections
Nov 20, 2024
·
10:00 AM
1 hr 21 min
Summary
A hearing on the nomination of Muriel Goode-Trufant for the position of Corporation Counsel.
The hearing focused on Goode-Trufant's qualifications, her vision for the Law Department, and her approach to various legal issues facing the city.
Discussions included:
- Attorney-client privilege
- Handling conflicts between the mayor and council
- Use of emergency executive orders
- Strategies for recruiting attorneys
- Approach to proactive litigation.
Features testimony from Muriel Goode-Trufant, the nominee for Corporation Counsel, and the public, including former city workers affected by vaccine mandates.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Speaker Adams addresses the importance of the nomination process
Speaker Adrienne E. Adams emphasizes the significance of the transparent nomination process for the Corporation Counsel position and expresses her anticipation for the upcoming discussion with the nominee, Muriel Goode-Trufant. …
0:00:00
·
26 sec
Council Member Keith Powers introduces the Corporation Counsel role and nominee Muriel Goode-Trufant
Council Member Keith Powers provides an overview of the Corporation Counsel position, including its powers and duties as defined by the New York City Charter. He then introduces the nominee, …
0:00:28
·
104 sec
Opening remarks and expressions of gratitude
Muriel Goode-Trufant opens her testimony with formal greetings and expressions of gratitude to the City Council and the administration for considering her nomination as the 82nd Corporation Counsel of New …
0:02:36
·
21 sec
Goode-Trufant's 33-year career at the NYC Law Department
Muriel Goode-Trufant details her extensive 33-year career at the New York City Law Department, highlighting her commitment to public service and the various roles she has held. - Emphasizes her …
0:02:59
·
87 sec
Scope and impact of the NYC Law Department's work
Goode-Trufant provides an overview of the extensive work and significant impact of the New York City Law Department across various areas of municipal governance. - Mentions approximately 70,000 active matters …
0:04:26
·
84 sec
Vision, mission, and future goals of the NYC Law Department
Goode-Trufant outlines the vision and mission of the New York City Law Department, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and support for staff to meet these goals. - States the …
0:05:51
·
74 sec
Goode-Trufant's commitment and aspirations as Corporation Counsel
Muriel Goode-Trufant expresses her strong commitment to the role of Corporation Counsel and her aspirations for serving in this position. - Reflects on her experience serving under nine former corporation …
0:07:06
·
48 sec
Council Member Keith Powers sets the stage for Corporation Counsel nomination hearing
Council Member Keith Powers opens the hearing for the Corporation Counsel nominee, Muriel Goode-Trufant. He emphasizes that the purpose of the hearing is to assess the nominee's commitment to advancing …
0:07:55
·
86 sec
Attorney-client privilege and confidentiality between Law Department and City Council
Speaker Adrienne E. Adams questions Corporation Counsel nominee Muriel Goode-Trufant about the Law Department's ethical obligations regarding attorney-client privilege and confidentiality when representing the City Council. Goode-Trufant confirms the department's …
0:09:22
·
54 sec
Law Department's representation and confidentiality during bill drafting process
Speaker Adams questions Goode-Trufant about the Law Department's obligations during the bill drafting process, particularly regarding disclosure of representation and handling of sensitive information. Goode-Trufant explains the department's approach to …
0:10:16
·
78 sec
Mayor's obligation to enforce local laws and seeking judicial intervention
Speaker Adams questions Goode-Trufant about the mayor's obligation to enforce local laws, even if believed to be unlawful, and the process of seeking judicial intervention. Goode-Trufant emphasizes the need for …
0:11:35
·
92 sec
Mayor's veto of proposed local laws and stating legal infirmities
Speaker Adams asks Goode-Trufant about her commitment to advising the mayor to state all legal infirmities in writing when vetoing a proposed local law. Goode-Trufant agrees to this commitment. - …
0:13:09
·
28 sec
Standard for challenging validity of local laws
Speaker Adams and Goode-Trufant discuss the legal standard for challenging the validity of local laws, referencing specific cases and the Law Department's previous arguments. Goode-Trufant commits to using a 'beyond …
0:13:41
·
154 sec
Staying enforcement of local laws opposed by the mayor
Speaker Adams questions Goode-Trufant about the Law Department's practice of requesting stays of enforcement for local laws opposed by the mayor. Goode-Trufant explains a past situation where such a request …
0:16:16
·
64 sec
Use of emergency executive orders by the mayor
Speaker Adams and Goode-Trufant discuss the use of emergency executive orders by the mayor, including the legal requirements, limitations, and recent applications. Goode-Trufant explains the conditions under which such orders …
0:17:21
·
3 min
Defunding of Brooklyn Museum during Giuliani administration
Speaker Adams questions Goode-Trufant about the Giuliani administration's attempt to defund the Brooklyn Museum over objectionable exhibits, which was ruled a First Amendment violation. Goode-Trufant clarifies her previous statement about …
0:20:37
·
99 sec
Hypothetical scenario of withholding funding based on political opinions
Speaker Adams presents a hypothetical scenario where Mayor Adams might withhold funding from an organization based on political disagreements, and asks if Goode-Trufant would defend such a decision. Goode-Trufant states …
0:22:17
·
48 sec
Goode-Trufant's career choices and commitment to public service
Speaker Adams contrasts Goode-Trufant's long career in the Law Department with Randy Mastro's reasons for leaving city employment. Goode-Trufant explains her commitment to public service and the fulfillment she finds …
0:23:05
·
67 sec
Characterization of the committee and fairness of the nomination process
Speaker Adams addresses the Daily News's characterization of the committee as a 'kangaroo court' and questions Goode-Trufant about her perception of the nomination process and the hearing. Goode-Trufant affirms the …
0:24:15
·
106 sec
Council Member Hudson questions Goode-Trufant on maintaining integrity under pressure
Council Member Crystal Hudson questions Corporation Counsel nominee Muriel Goode-Trufant about maintaining integrity and managing pressures in the role. Goode-Trufant emphasizes the importance of personal integrity, building a strong team, …
0:26:02
·
177 sec
Council Member Brooks-Powers Questions Nominee on Conflict Resolution and Charter Revision
Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers questions Corporation Counsel nominee Muriel Goode-Trufant on handling potential conflicts between the mayor and the council, and the mayor's intervention in the Charter Revision Commission. …
0:29:06
·
141 sec
Majority Leader Farías questions the use of emergency powers to stay enforcement of local laws
Majority Leader Amanda Farías questions Corporation Counsel Nominee Muriel Goode-Trufant about the mayor's use of emergency powers to stay enforcement of a ban on solitary confinement. Goode-Trufant explains the challenges …
0:31:35
·
113 sec
Council Member Diana Ayala expresses support for Muriel Goode-Trufant's nomination
Council Member Diana Ayala expresses her support and admiration for Muriel Goode-Trufant's nomination as Corporation Counsel. She emphasizes the importance of experience, education, and having a good moral compass in …
0:33:37
·
65 sec
Discussion on mayor's zoning overrides and their appropriate use
Council Member Gale A. Brewer inquires about Muriel Goode-Trufant's position on the use of mayoral zoning overrides. Goode-Trufant explains that such overrides are typically used for schools or public housing …
0:34:57
·
84 sec
Addressing the challenges of Carter cases in education
Council Member Gale A. Brewer inquires about Muriel Goode-Trufant's approach to addressing the long-standing Carter cases. Goode-Trufant acknowledges the challenge and emphasizes the need for a range of resources to …
0:36:22
·
74 sec
Addressing conflicts in unlicensed cannabis enforcement
Council Member Gale A. Brewer raises concerns about conflicting decisions between OATH lawyers and the sheriff's office regarding the closure of unlicensed cannabis establishments. Muriel Goode-Trufant responds that the current …
0:37:36
·
89 sec
Discussion on releasing 9/11 toxins records to the public
Council Member Gale A. Brewer inquires about Muriel Goode-Trufant's position on releasing records related to 9/11 toxins to the public. Goode-Trufant expresses support for releasing the information to the extent …
0:39:05
·
63 sec
Strategies for reducing police-related lawsuits
Council Member Gale A. Brewer inquires about strategies to reduce the number of police-related lawsuits against the city. Muriel Goode-Trufant emphasizes ongoing collaboration with the police department, particularly focusing on …
0:40:08
·
68 sec
Council member Ariola addresses inequities in vaccine mandate cases
Council Member Ariola raises concerns about inequities in the Law Department's handling of vaccine mandate cases, particularly regarding city workers who were terminated or left their jobs due to the …
0:41:33
·
133 sec
Clarification on vaccine mandate concerns and specific examples
Nominee Muriel Goode-Trufant asks for clarification on whether the question is specifically about the vaccine mandate, and Council Member Ariola provides more detailed examples of the issues she's addressing. - …
0:43:46
·
54 sec
Nominee explains Law Department's approach to vaccine mandate cases
Muriel Goode-Trufant explains the Law Department's approach to vaccine mandate cases, highlighting the complexities and different classifications of employees involved. - She mentions recent cases pursued to the Court of …
0:44:41
·
75 sec
Council member Ariola requests commitment to review inconsistent cases
Council Member Ariola responds to the nominee's explanation, emphasizing the need for consistency in handling vaccine mandate cases and requesting a commitment to review specific cases. - Ariola points out …
0:45:57
·
97 sec
Council Member Restler congratulates Goode-Trufant on her appointment
Council Member Lincoln Restler congratulates Muriel Goode-Trufant on her appointment as Corporation Counsel and expresses his support for her nomination. He acknowledges her long tenure at the Law Department and …
0:47:39
·
34 sec
Discussion on Law Department staffing concerns
Council Member Restler raises concerns about the significant reduction in attorney headcount at the Law Department and its impact on city government operations. Goode-Trufant acknowledges the staffing issues and mentions …
0:48:13
·
89 sec
Questions on juvenile justice and diversion rates
Council Member Restler expresses concerns about the high number of minors in juvenile justice facilities and asks about strategies to increase diversion rates. Goode-Trufant discusses the need for community support …
0:49:42
·
132 sec
Discussion on affirmative impact litigation priorities
Council Member Restler inquires about Goode-Trufant's priorities for affirmative impact litigation, particularly in environmental and housing issues. Goode-Trufant outlines the Law Department's current efforts and future plans in this area. …
0:51:54
·
144 sec
Goode-Trufant's outside appointments and COIB clearance
Council Member Powers inquires about Muriel Goode-Trufant's outside appointments and commitments, focusing on her roles with the tourism board and magistrate selection panel. Goode-Trufant explains that she has received clearance …
0:54:20
·
131 sec
Strategies for recruiting and rebuilding the Law Department
Council Member Powers inquires about strategies to recruit talent and rebuild the Law Department's workforce. Muriel Goode-Trufant outlines several approaches to attract and retain legal professionals. - Competitive attorney salaries …
0:56:31
·
3 min
Law Department's budget and staffing adequacy
Council Member Powers inquires about the Law Department's budget adequacy for fulfilling its mission, recruiting talent, and maintaining appropriate staffing levels. Muriel Goode-Trufant provides a diplomatic response. - Goode-Trufant states …
0:59:52
·
29 sec
Past proactive litigation efforts by the Law Department
Council Member Powers asks about the Law Department's role in proactive litigation to defend New York City's interests. Muriel Goode-Trufant provides examples of past proactive litigation efforts. - The department …
1:00:22
·
173 sec
Future areas for proactive litigation and inter-city collaboration
Council Member Powers inquires about potential future areas for proactive litigation. Muriel Goode-Trufant discusses the Law Department's approach to future challenges and inter-city collaboration. - Goode-Trufant emphasizes the importance of …
1:03:16
·
86 sec
Council Member Sanchez inquires about confidential legal advice during legislative negotiations
Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez asks Corporation Counsel nominee Muriel Goode-Trufant about the process for obtaining confidential legal advice from the Law Department during legislative negotiations, separate from ongoing discussions …
1:04:45
·
131 sec
Testimony by Jack Wei Lin, Former EMT from New York Fire Department (FDNY)
Jack Wei Lin, a former EMT with 14 years of service at FDNY, testified in opposition to Muriel Goode-Trufant's appointment as Corporation Counsel and urged support for Resolution 5 to …
1:08:31
·
151 sec
Testimony by Tim Heaton, Former Lieutenant of New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
Tim Heaton, a former FDNY lieutenant, testified against the nomination of Muriel Goode-Trufant for Corporation Counsel. He shared his experience of being terminated due to not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine …
1:11:08
·
3 min
Council Member Ariola urges support for Resolution 5 to reinstate first responders
Council Member Joann Ariola makes a statement urging her colleagues to support Resolution 5, which would allow the state to decide on reinstating first responders who were terminated due to …
1:14:24
·
25 sec
Testimony by Christopher Leon Johnson, Member of the Public
Christopher Leon Johnson provides his perspective on the hearing for Muriel Goode-Trufant's nomination as Corporation Counsel, arguing that the process is a formality and the nomination will be approved. He …
1:15:11
·
3 min
Testimony by Raul Rivera, TLC Driver and Advocate
Raul Rivera, a TLC driver and advocate, testified against the vaccine mandate and criticized City Council members for their lack of support for unvaccinated workers. He expressed frustration with the …
1:18:24
·
82 sec
Council member addresses disrespectful testimony
Council Member Keith Powers responds to the previous testimony by reminding everyone of their responsibility to be respectful in the chamber. He emphasizes the importance of being respectful towards both …
1:19:46
·
40 sec
