Mamdani Names Ramzi Kassem NYC Chief Counsel, Sparks Debate Over Past Cases

• Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appointed Ramzi Kassem as New York City's chief counsel and Steven Banks as corporation counsel.
• Ramzi Kassem, a CUNY law professor, is known for representing controversial clients, including Al-Qaeda-linked Ahmed al-Darbi and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil.
• Kassem founded the CLEAR law clinic, providing legal support to Muslim communities, immigrants, and those facing federal scrutiny.
• Steven Banks, a former de Blasio official, was named corporation counsel, recognized for his work on the city's "right to shelter" framework.
• Kassem's appointment has drawn sharp criticism from conservative and some Jewish advocacy groups, though Mamdani defends the picks as vital for civil rights and social justice.

Why It Matters: Ramzi Kassem's appointment as NYC chief counsel by Mamdani sparks debate over his controversial client representations.