Debevoise & Plimpton LLP supported the New York City Bar Association on its “legal X-ray” of the policy proposals on which Mayor-Elect Eric Adams campaigned, a report which outlines campaign promise by campaign promise, what legal authority is needed to implement the Adams platform. The report takes the form of a user-friendly chart, using a photo of Mayor-Elect Adams to identify proposals where a mayor has legal power to implement change acting on his own authority.

Debevoise associates Kyle Buchoff, Frank Colleluori, Josie Dikkers, Matthew Forbes, Erik Rubinstein and Amy Zhang supported the preparation of the report for the City Bar’s Committee on New York City Affairs. Debevoise associate Erik Rubinstein (a former NYPD lieutenant) is the Committee’s secretary and Debevoise partner Jeremy Feigelson (a former mayoral aide) is the Committee’s chair.

The report was developed to help the new administration, other government actors, and the public understand how each of the Mayor-Elect’s major campaign proposal can be turned into reality. The City Bar urges that even where the new mayor will have legal authority to act alone, the path to successful reform will be paved by significant consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders ranging from the City Council and city agencies, other elected officials to the state and federal governments, and labor unions. Likewise, the report indicates that there are significant roles for the city’s business community and for its non-profit, community- and faith-based organizations and their leaders.

The Committee on New York City Affairs focuses on legal issues of particular relevance to New York City and its government. Their work covers areas ranging from legislative and other action at City Hall, to economic development, to legal and policy matters at the state and federal levels that have a direct effect on New York City. Members participate in the work of the committee as individual lawyers and not as representatives of their employers or clients.