John Burns, Anthony Crowell, Stanley Brezenoff, and Ross Sandler at the 161st CityLaw Breakfast and Fifth Annual Civic Fame Awards.

At this morning’s 161st CityLaw Breakfast and Fifth Annual Civic Fame Award Presentation, we honored Stanley Brezenoff and OATH.  The Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and Brezenoff have played a large role in the City and are both celebrating  40 years of service to the City this year. The Breakfast began with introductory remarks from New York Law School Dean Anthony Crowell, with awards presented by Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law.  

OATH, which began in July 1979, has achieved “continuous progress toward its goal of fairness, equity, and independence.” The award was accepted on behalf of OATH by John Burns, the Supervising Administrative Law Judge and First Deputy Commissioner. Burns stated that going into OATH’s 50th decade of service, “ALJs and hearing officers and staff at OATH are strongly committed to OATH’s founding principles of fairness, independence, professionalism and above all – transparency.”

Brezenoff, who has worn many hats throughout his 40 years of service to the City including as First Deputy Mayor during the Koch Administration, spoke about the various administrations in the City’s history including how the City handled a fiscal crisis, and shifts in agenda that shaped the City’s approach to social issues. He addressed the business requirements needed to achieve these social agendas, discussed the current government administration, and spoke about the future.

Brezenoff also commented on the current City Council Charter Revision Commission, expressing concern over the possible shift in power, noting that the City requires a strong executive branch.

To watch the event, click here or watch the video below.

VIDEO:

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