Hinds-Radix Reflects on Historic Tenure as Corporation Counsel

Rumors of Hinds-Radix’s departure had been circulating for weeks, special after news emerged that Randy Mastro, a controversial attorney, was being considered as her replacement. Mastros appointment would require city council approval, which was met with resistance from several council members.

In her farewell email obtained by the Brooklyn EagleHinds-Radix expressed no bitterness, despite widespread speculation about it she was expelled due to disagreements with Mayor Adams and his senior advisors.

Instead, Hinds-Radix praised her colleagues, saying: “I thank you for your exceptional contributions, which have helped the Legal Department remain a beacon of public service.” She also reflected on her historic role as the first Caribbean-born woman and the second woman of color to serve as Corporation Counsel.

Hinds-Radix, a former Appellate Division judge, highlighted several accomplishments during her tenure, including securing salary and merit increases to address recruitment and retention issues, successfully implementing a bar exam retake program and creating of new legal departments for Ethics and Compliance and Risk Management. She noticed that her team Efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and the migrant crisis, with nearly 200,000 migrants arriving since spring 2022, have had a particularly high impact.

Her departure comes as mayor Adams’ The government is facing multiple legal investigations. Federal investigators are looking into the links between Adams’ campaign and Turkey, resulting in the seizure of his mobile phones. The Manhattan district Lawyer office has charged the former buildings commissioner in an ongoing investigation, and city The Ministry of Investigation is investigating top assistants Winnie Greco and Tim Pearson.

Adams didn’t do that accused of any misconduct in connection with these investigations. However, the investigation has cast a shadow over his government Hinds-Radix’s exit and the possible appointment of Mastro even more important.

said during a press conference Tuesday Adams’ chief adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin claimed the government had delayed Mastros lecture “out of respect” for the city council, which is currently focused on the budget negotiations. However, several newspaper reports show that the mayor team has private meeting with councilors to discuss Mastros potential nomination. Council Vice President Diana Ayala and others have reportedly refused these meetings.

Hinds-Radix praised the department efforts in various legal battles, including securing housing for migrants, defending the city budget, and supporting economic development projects.

She concluded her email by expressing her pride in the law Department work, stating, “Every day, we helped the city achieve its most important mission: promoting public safety, safeguarding taxpayer dollars, rebuilding our economy and improving the quality of life for New Yorkers.”

Hinds-Radix has had a distinguished career in the New York State Judiciary.

Appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in November 2012she served as Associate Justice of the New York State Appellate Division, Second Department. Previously, she served as an administrative law judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, civil term, from May 2009 to November 2012, and was elected as a judge of the New York State Supreme Court in 2004, with re-election in 2018. Hinds-Radix also served as judge in the civil and criminal courts of New York City from 2002 to 2004.

Prior to her appointment as judge, she worked extensively in various capacities at District Council 37, including as lead advisor for the Immigration Program. a graduated from Howard University School of Law, she has been admitted to practice in the New York State Bar and federal courts since 1985.

Hinds-Radix has received numerous awards, including the Gold Crown of Merit from the Governor General of Barbados and the New York State Bar Association Prize for pioneer in the field of diversity. She has been an active member of numerous professional and community organizations.

Muriel Goode-Trufant: Acting New York City Corporate Counsel

Goode-Trufant’s tenure in the New York City Law Department began in 1991, where she began as an attorney in the General Litigation Division. Over the years, she has held several important positions, including assistant division chief and agency EEO officer. She became head of the Special Federal Litigation Division before being appointed managing attorney in 2015, a position she held until February 2023.

In February 2023, Goode-Trufant was appointed First Assistant Corporation Counsel by then-Corporate Counsel Hinds-Radix. In this capacity, she served as a key legal advisor to the company’s attorney, the mayor and other city officials, overseeing several legal departments and directing the activities of the agency’s 1,600-person legal team.

Goode-Trufant has been instrumental in litigating and resolving numerous class actions and high-profile cases. She was instrumental in establishing the Special Federal Litigation Division, which led to litigation successes for the city.

Before joining the city’s legal department, Goode-Trufant was an associate at the Philadelphia law firm of Cohen, Shapiro, Polisher, Shiekman & Cohen. A graduate of Temple University School of Law and the University of Pennsylvania, she has received numerous legal awards, including the law department’s highest honor, the Corporation Counsel’s Award for Distinguished Legal Service in 2011.