NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Pakistani-American attorney Ali Najmi as chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary, entrusting him with a key role in shaping the city’s judicial system.
The committee is responsible for evaluating and recommending candidates for judgeships in the city’s Family and Criminal Courts, as well as interim appointments to the Civil Court. The appointment places Najmi at the centre of a process that significantly influences the administration of justice in the city.
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Announcing the decision, Mayor Mamdani said his administration was committed to improving transparency and fairness in judicial appointments. He stressed that the goal was to ensure the judiciary reflects the diversity of New York City and applies the rule of law impartially. Mamdani described Najmi as uniquely qualified for the role, citing his decades-long commitment to the courtroom and public service.
Najmi and Mamdani share a long-standing personal and professional relationship. Both are residents of Queens and first met in 2015, when Mamdani volunteered on Najmi’s unsuccessful City Council campaign in eastern Queens. Since then, the two have remained close, with Najmi later serving as Mamdani’s attorney, advisor and mentor during his campaigns for the State Assembly and the mayoralty.
Over the course of his approximately 15-year legal career, Najmi has built a reputation as a civil rights and criminal defence attorney. He is also well known for his work in election and ballot-access law, representing numerous progressive and anti-establishment Democratic candidates. As recently as June, he represented at least 18 candidates in the Democratic primary.
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Speaking about his appointment, Najmi said it was an honour to chair the committee and contribute to strengthening public trust in the judiciary. He noted that many New Yorkers are unfamiliar with the judicial application process, which often fuels the perception that judgeships are limited to the well-connected. He said promoting transparency and public awareness would be a key priority.
Najmi is a member of the Muslim Bar Association and holds a Juris Doctor degree from the City University of New York School of Law.