8 months ago
Mamdani Appoints Controversial Lawyer Ramzi Kassem as Chief Counsel
Zohran Mamdani, who will be the next mayor of New York City, has chosen two lawyers to help him with legal matters.
One of them, Ramzi Kassem, has a lot of experience in law and has helped people in difficult situations.
He has also defended people who have been accused of serious crimes, like someone linked to a terrorist attack.
The other lawyer, Steven Banks, has worked for many years to help people who are homeless and to make sure laws are fair.
Some people are surprised by these choices because of the controversial cases Kassem has worked on, but Mamdani believes they will do a good job.
Zohran Mamdani, the New York City Mayor-elect, has appointed Ramzi Kassem as the city’s chief counsel and Steven Banks as corporation counsel.
Kassem has a history of defending high-profile clients, including Ahmed al-Darbi, who was linked to an al-Qaeda attack, and Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel activist.
Kassem previously served as a senior policy advisor for immigration on the White House Domestic Policy Council under former President Joe Biden.
Banks has 40 years of legal experience and previously served as homeless services director under Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Mamdani praised both appointments for their commitment to defending working people and ensuring justice in the city.
- Who
- Ramzi Kassem, a lawyer with a history of defending controversial clients, and Steven Banks, a social justice attorney.
- What
- Zohran Mamdani, the New York City Mayor-elect, has appointed Kassem as chief counsel and Banks as corporation counsel.
- Where
- New York City.
- When
- The appointments were announced on Tuesday, with Mamdani set to take office on January 1, 2026.
- Why
- Mamdani praised the appointments for their commitment to defending working people and ensuring justice in the city.
Key facts
- Appointment Date
- January 1, 2026
- Ramzi Kassem's Previous Role
- Senior Policy Advisor for Immigration, White House Domestic Policy Council
- Ahmed al-Darbi's Conviction
- 2017
- Mahmoud Khalil's Arrest
- 2025
- CLEAR Clinic Focus
- Supporting Muslim and targeted communities in New York
- Steven Banks' Experience
- 40 years as a public interest social justice attorney
- Banks' Previous Role
- Homeless Services Director under Mayor Bill de Blasio
Quotes
Zohran Mamdani
Mayor-elect of New York City
“I will turn to Ramzi for his remarkable experience and his commitment to defending those too often abandoned by our legal system. City Hall will be stronger with him in it, and our work of building a more prosperous city for all will have a powerful advocate.”
NDTV
“Welcome to A New Era, Ramzi Kassem!”
NDTV
Ramzi Kassem
Controversial lawyer and newly appointed top attorney of New York City
“This is a call of duty to serve the city I consider home and the city that embraced me. I grew up in war-torn countries in the Middle East, authoritarian regimes, and New York City was really my first stable and permanent home. This is an opportunity for me to repay that debt. I've been trying to repay that debt ever since I came to this country, ever since I immigrated.”
NDTV
