New York City Mayor Eric Adams appointed Allison Stoddart as chief counsel on Tuesday, October 1st. Stoddart, who has been integral to the administration since its inception as chief of staff in the Office of the Chief Counsel, will immediately assume her new role.
From the start of the Adams administration, Stoddart has been instrumental in shaping the city’s legal strategies. She led the New York City Legal Fellows Program, bringing junior private law firm attorneys into public service. She also contributed to critical initiatives such as expanding paid family leave and removing sidewalk sheds across the city.
Reflecting on her appointment, Mayor Adams praised Stoddart’s dedication to public service. “It is my honor to announce Allison Stoddart as City Hall’s next chief counsel, where she will serve New Yorkers every day. Allison has been part of our administration since day one, and during this time, has become an integral part of the legal team at City Hall. I have no doubt that she is the right person to lead this office at this time, and that her intelligence and drive to serve everyday New Yorkers will benefit our entire city,” said Mayor Adams.
Upon accepting the role, Stoddart emphasized her commitment to public service and the legal community. “I’ve always believed that the law and public service go hand-in-hand, and serving in the Office of the Chief Counsel to the mayor and City Hall has been a defining privilege of my career. I’ve been proud to serve as a chief of staff, and now, as chief counsel, to serve New York City. In this role, I will continue to collaborate with the many committed public servants who work so hard every day to shape the future of our city. I look forward to continuing to work closely with newly-nominated Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant and the other members of the Law Department,” she stated.
Stoddart’s new role includes overseeing legal matters for ten key city agencies: the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary, the Office of Labor Relations, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, the Mayor’s Office of Risk Management and Compliance, the New York City Business Integrity Commission, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the New York City Department of Records and Information Services, the Office of the Administrative Justice Coordinator, and the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. This broad scope reflects the importance of her leadership in managing critical legal and policy issues that affect millions of New Yorkers daily.
Several key figures in the Adams administration expressed their support for Stoddart’s appointment. Chief Advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin remarked, “Allison has been an integral part of our team for the past two years. City Hall has a deep roster of talent, and I am thrilled to elevate one of our best and brightest to lead the chief counsel’s team and continue to deliver for New Yorkers.”
Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy also praised Stoddart’s leadership, saying, “Allison has served our city tirelessly and devoted herself to implementing the law in a way that supports 8.3 million New Yorkers. She’s smart, dedicated, and has impeccable judgment — and there is no one we’d rather see serve as City Hall’s top lawyer. We are extremely lucky to have such an immensely talented person serve as our next chief counsel.”
As Stoddart assumes her new role, the city looks to her leadership to navigate the complex legal and policy challenges ahead, ensuring that New Yorkers benefit from sound legal oversight and public service.
