Part of Mayoral Reform

Goldin to Oversee City Law Judges

By REUVEN BLAU

Mayor Bloomberg Aug. 17 appointed David B. Goldin as the city's first Administrative Justice Coordinator, who will help develop and draft a uniform code of ethics for the hundreds of city Administrative Law Judges.

Photo Credit: Spencer Tucker DAVID B. GOLDIN: Developing new ethics code.

"The appointment of an Administrative Justice Coordinator is a much-needed step towards strengthening the city's administrative judicial system," Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement.

Past City Experience

Mr. Goldin most recently served as Chief Litigating Deputy County Attorney in the Nassau County Attorney's Office. Prior to that he was the Counsel to the former city Board of Education, where he oversaw the Office of Impartial Hearings. He also has worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Law Department.

"He will be an asset to ensuring that the City's tribunals - the place where New Yorkers go to challenge fines, parking tickets or building code violations - are not only efficient, but serve the people of New York with the highest integrity," Mr. Bloomberg said. "The administration of justice should be fair and transparent, and I know that David will ensure that the law is applied fairly and equally as Administrative Justice Coordinator."

The city employs approximately 500 lawyers who work as Administrative Law Judges and hearing officers at 19 different tribunals tied to various departments and agencies. They adjudicate parking violation complaints, property tax assessment appeals, and grievances against cab drivers. They also handle city employee disciplinary matters.

'Improve Fairness'

On Jan. 30, the Mayor signed Executive Order 84 establishing the position based on a recommendation by last year's Charter Revision Commission, which was assigned to review the broad issue of judicial reform. The new justice coordinator will help "improve the workings of tribunals so that all New Yorkers are treated fairly and justly," Mayor Bloomberg said during his State of the City address Jan. 26.

Carol Robles-Roman, the Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs, has spearheaded the initiative. The new code of conduct, she said, will aim to avoid the appearance of impropriety, ensure that ALJs perform the duties of the office impartially, and set proper courtroom demeanor. Many ALJs currently follow the New York State Code of Judicial Conduct, but there is no consistent set of ethics.

The new plan also calls for Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings to develop and deliver training programs for all the city's ALJs. Those ongoing courses will likely include instruction on courtroom practice, legal writing, and substantive areas of the law.

A People's Tribunal

Mr. Goldin's duties will also include advising the Mayor on policies, plans, procedures and operations used by the city's various administrative tribunals. The new position will mirror the city's Criminal Justice Coordinator's post, which serves as the Mayor's primary liaison with the criminal court system and the five District Attorney Offices.

Mr. Goldin said he was "honored" by the appointment. "The City's administrative tribunals are often the only forums where citizens have any significant interaction with city government," he said in a statement. "Commitment to justice requires that all New Yorkers who appear before a tribunal be treated fairly, impartially and consistently."

Ms. Robles-Roman noted that Mr. Goldin's appointment marks the culmination of three years of study and two Charter Revision Commissions. "We hope that this new approach to meeting the needs of our tribunals and the citizens they serve will be a national model for reform across the country," she said.