New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix Appoints Maxwell Leighton as Division Chief of the Labor and Employment Division
September 21, 2023
Maxwell LeightonNew York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix today announced the appointment of Maxwell Leighton as Division Chief of the Labor and Employment Division, the team responsible for representing the City in litigation arising out of the City’s role as the employer of more than a quarter-million workers.
Maxwell, who has been serving as Deputy Chief in the Labor and Employment Law Division since June 2020, joined the Law Department in 2007 after earning his degree from the CUNY School of Law. During his time in the Law Department, he has adeptly overseen a wide spectrum of litigated labor law and employment disputes while offering guidance and support to fellow Assistant Corporation Counsels (ACCs) in the division. As the Division Chief of Labor and Employment Law, Maxwell will assume leadership responsibilities, overseeing all aspects of litigation and providing legal counsel for matters pertaining to the City’s role as an employer.
“Maxwell’s promotion to Division Chief of Labor and Employment is not only well-deserved but also a testament to his exceptional leadership and legal acumen,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix. “Throughout his tenure, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to handle complex labor and employment matters with skill and precision, and I have every confidence he will excel in this new role, providing valuable guidance to his colleagues and delivering exemplary representation to the City.”
The Labor and Employment Law Division plays a pivotal role in representing the City in litigation arising from its role as the employer of an extensive workforce. With a steadfast commitment to advocating for the City’s interests, the division’s attorneys navigate a wide-spectrum of employment-related issues, addressing both individual and class action cases in State and federal courts as well as administrative proceedings. In addition to the legal issues it routinely handles, The Labor and Employment Division successfully defended the crucial COVID-19 vaccine mandates implemented by the City in 2021. The vaccine mandates for the municipal workforce led to a multitude of lawsuits, pushing the division’s attorneys to expand legal precedent and establish new areas of law, showcasing their commitment to protecting the City’s interests. As Division Chief of the Labor and Employment Division, Maxwell will lead this accomplished team in addressing the City’s myriad of employment-related challenges while upholding unwavering dedication to the City’s best interest in various legal venues.
“I am honored to be appointed by Corporation Counsel Hinds-Radix and deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead this division,” said Maxwell Leighton, Division Chief of the Labor and Employment Division. “Amidst the ever-evolving world of work, we are dedicated to providing sound legal guidance and responsible representation to the City of New York, one of the largest employers in the nation."
About Maxwell Leighton
Since joining the Law Department, Maxwell has been a pivotal member of the team, serving as Deputy Chief of the Labor and Employment Law Division since June 2020. Over the years, Maxwell has demonstrated his commitment to his work by supervising ACCs within the division and sharing his legal expertise as an adjunct law professor at Cardozo Law School, where he taught the Labor and Employment Law Clinic. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Maxwell received the 2013 Edith Spivack Special Recognition Award. Maxwell’s educational journey includes degrees from both the CUNY School of Law and Bowdoin College, showcasing his strong academic foundation.