Q&A
Discussion on Law Department staffing concerns
0:48:13
·
89 sec
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 ongoing efforts to address them.
- Restler notes a nearly 20% reduction in attorney headcount since pre-pandemic levels
- Goode-Trufant confirms the estimate and mentions working with the Office of Management and Budget on staffing needs
- Restler expresses his commitment to advocating for necessary resources for the Law Department
Lincoln Restler
0:48:13
I'm deeply concerned about the staffing in the law department.
0:48:19
Since the pre pandemic levels when we had well over 900 attorneys, I think that what was reported at, pre at in the budget hearings to us earlier this year was we were down, I believe, 765.
0:48:34
So we had seen nearly a 20%, approximately a 20% reduction in headcount of attorneys at the law department.
0:48:40
And when the law department shrinks, it slows down everything in city government and agencies can't do their jobs.
0:48:46
And so, a, could you just give us an update?
0:48:48
Where are we currently on staffing levels?
0:48:50
And and from your vantage point, what is the necessary staffing level for attorneys at the law department for law to be able to function at the level that that you think appropriate?
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:49:02
Your your estimate is is is about right.
0:49:05
We, continue, to work with the office of management and budget on our needs and, we're hopeful that in, future cycles we'll be able to supplement our staff.
Lincoln Restler
0:49:22
Okay.
0:49:23
I I look, we do our best in this council under the speaker's leadership to fight for our city agencies as chair of gov ops.
0:49:29
I look forward to working with you to advocate for the law department to have the resources that are needed.
0:49:35
I think this is a big problem, and I think we need to work on it together.
0:49:38
So I look forward to, to hopefully having some success with you there.
0:49:42
I'd also like to ask you about juvenile justice.
