Process, Powers, and Lessons for the Future: 25 Years of New York City Charter Revisions

Chairpersons and counsel to NYC Charter Revision Commissions from the past 25 years will comment on the process of revising the Charter; how process affects substance; the legacies of their Commissions for future Charter revision efforts; and, looking ahead, the potential role of Charter revisions in further improving the structure and operations of NYC government. 1.5 Transitional CLE credits in Areas of Professional Practice will be available with this panel. Mitchell Moss, Moderator — Henry Hart Rice Professor of Urban Policy & Planning, New York University Ester Fuchs — Professor of International and Public Affairs and Political Science, Columbia University, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs; Chair, 2005 NYC Charter Revision Commission Randy M. Mastro — Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Chair, 1999 and 2001 NYC Charter Revision Commissions Frederick (Rick) P. Schaffer — General Counsel and Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, The City University of New York; General Counsel to the 2010 NYC Charter Revision Commission; formerly Counsel to NYC Mayor Ed Koch Frederick (Fritz) A.O. Schwarz, Jr. — Chief Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice; Senior Counsel, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP; Chair, 1989 NYC Charter Revision Commission.

The 1989 Charter revisions reshaped the allocation of powers among the City Council, Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate (formerly known as the City Council President), and Borough Presidents, among others. Panelists will discuss the balance of powers and its implications, including: how and why these actors have exercised, or refrained from exercising, the powers granted under the Charter since 1989; how they have tested the limits of those powers with respect to each other and other participants in city government (including community decisionmakers); and what we can learn from how they have variously worked in cooperation and in conflict in defining their roles and achieving their objectives. Finally, looking to the future, what remains to be clarified and where are the potential tensions and opportunities? 1.5 Transitional CLE credits in Areas of Professional Practice will be available with this panel. John Avlon, Moderator — Senior Political Columnist, Newsweek and the Daily Beast; CNN Contributor Anthony W. Crowell, Dean & President, New York Law School Dick Dadey — Executive Director, Citizens Union of the City of New York Elizabeth Fine — General Counsel, New York City Council David Yassky — Chairman, NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission; NYC Council Member 2002-2009

Welcome and Recognition Honoring Dr. Frank Macchiarola and NYC Mayor Edward I. Koch — Anthony W. Crowell, Dean & President, New York Law School Keynote — Michael A. Cardozo, NYC Corporation Counsel