New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has appointed Ramzi Kassem as chief counsel and Steven Banks as corporation counsel, set to take office January 1, 2026. Mamdani described the appointments as crucial for defending working people and ensuring justice. However, Kassem's past representation of controversial clients, including Ahmed al-Darbi, who pleaded guilty to charges linked to an al-Qaeda attack, has drawn attention. Kassem previously served as a policy advisor for immigration on the White House Domestic Policy Council under President Joe Biden.