About the Law Department

As one of the oldest, most dynamic legal firms in the world, the New York City Law Department ranks among the City’s largest law offices and is the country’s largest municipal law office. From its modest origins, the Law Department – also called the Office of the Corporation Counsel – grew to meet a growing City’s ever-evolving needs.

Muriel Goode-Trufant, as the 82nd Corporation Counsel, leads over 760 attorneys and 685 support professionals in 24 varied legal and non-legal divisions, and  as New York City’s chief attorney oversees a vast array of City cases while serving the public.

As part of its work, the Law Department handles many unique, complicated legal issues. The Law Department’s “clients” include the City as a municipal corporation, the Mayor, the City Council, as well as the numerous City agencies and employees in all affirmative and defensive civil litigation

It also acts as the presentment agency in juvenile prosecutions in the New York Family Court, and through advising on legislative and transactional matters. Its work impacts nearly every day-to-day aspect of New York City, including education, housing, environmental protection, transportation, juvenile justice and civil rights, among others. 

Many people have contributed to the storied history of the Law Department:

James D. Carr, who in 1904 became the first African-American Assistant Corporation Counsel.

Georgia Pestana, who in 2021, became the first of now three successive female Corporation Counsels.

Jane M. Bolan, the first African American woman to join the Law Department, also was the first African American woman to be sworn in as a Judge .

Martin J. Devine, who in 1906 started in the Law Department as an “Office Boy” and became New York City’s longest serving employee, spanning over 77 years to 1983.

Edith I. Spivack, who in 1934, joined the Law Department as one of New York City’s first female attorneys and retired after a 60 plus years career.