Steven Banks, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s choice to head the city’s Law Department, promised the New York City Council at his Wednesday confirmation hearing he’d be a “lawyer for the entire city” — not solely, or even primarily, an adviser to the mayor. 

Banks, who served as the city’s “homelessness czar” under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, emphasized he plans to be readily accessible to council members and answer legal questions on bills they’re looking to pass — something members, including Speaker Julie Menin, said was lacking in former Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.