After 30 years of working her way up within New York City’s Law Department, Muriel Goode-Trufant has now become the city’s top lawyer, overseeing the departments 850 lawyers.
“I have been given challenging roles, meaningful work, and that’s what’s kept me here at the law department,” Goode-Trufant told NY1, reflecting on being named corporation counsel. “We look to do justice; we look to make certain that people’s voices are heard.”
What You Need To Know
- After months of tension between the mayor’s office and City Council over who would become the next corporation counsel, New York City has a new top lawyer
- Earlier this month, Muriel Goode-Trufant was confirmed by city lawmakers with strong support
- She’s a mother, a church leader and she’s spent years defending the city in tough cases
This is only the second time in city history that a mayor has selected a career attorney from within the Law Department to take its top position.
The department’s wide-ranging work includes reviewing local legislation and contracts as well as representing the city against claims in court.
“There are times where justice may dictate that we pursue a particular defense vigorously, and other times, justice may require a very early settlement,” Goode-Trufant explained.
Goode-Trufant is stepping into her new role after months of turmoil at the top of the Law Department.
The last corporation counsel left the role in May after a reported disagreement with the mayor of whether the city should represent Mayor Eric Adams in a sex assault lawsuit, a case where the mayor denies wrongdoing.
Adams’ next pick, Randy Mastro, withdrew his nomination after a combative confirmation hearing with the City Council where his ethics, background and legal tactics were questioned.
Uniting both sides of City Hall, Goode-Trufant was confirmed by the Council with overwhelming support.
“I have been in the Law Department for some decades, and we represent the mayor’s office, we represent members of Council individually and collectively, and we have worked collaboratively with all of our clients, and so I was a known entity, and I was known to be a person of my word,” Goode-Trufant said.
With the Law Department now facing several high-profile cases, Goode-Trufant told NY1 she’ll tackle the next challenges by leaning on the lessons she’s learned in 30 years of service to New York City.
“I am not one who believes that every day is going to be easy or that things will never be difficult, but that if I persevere and if I maintain my faith, I can push through those difficult days,” she said.