NEW YORK, December 31, 2025 – Mayor-elect Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the appointment of civil rights attorney and CUNY Law professor Ramzi Kassem as Chief Counsel to the Mayor, a key role advising City Hall on legal matters, policy, and compliance. The announcement, posted on X with the slogan “A New Era for New York City,” has drawn sharp criticism from conservative outlets and commentators over Kassem’s past representation of high-profile clients.
In his post, Mamdani praised Kassem, an immigrant and Harlem resident, for his work co-directing the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) project at CUNY Law. The clinic has provided legal support to individuals targeted in national security cases, including students detained by ICE. Kassem previously served as a senior policy advisor on immigration in the Biden administration from 2022-2024.
Mamdani described the appointment as part of a broader vision for using law “as a critical tool in the fight for working people and to protect their safety and fundamental freedoms.” Kassem responded by calling it a “privilege and duty” to serve, emphasizing defense of civil rights against potential federal overreach.
However, the pick has sparked backlash, primarily focusing on Kassem’s legal history. Critics highlight his representation of Ahmed al-Darbi, an al-Qaeda operative convicted in 2017 for plotting a 2002 attack on an oil tanker, as well as his defense of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist detained by ICE in 2025 amid campus protests. Conservative media, including Fox News and the Washington Examiner, labeled Kassem “controversial” and accused the appointment of prioritizing ideology over security concerns.
Supporters counter that Kassem’s work upholds the principle of legal representation for all, regardless of allegations, and point to his successful arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts on civil liberties issues.
The appointment comes alongside others, including Steven Banks as Corporation Counsel. Mamdani is set to be sworn in on January 1, 2026, marking a shift in city leadership.
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