Michael Best
Michael Best, Counselor to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, was appointed in May 2012, replacing Anthony Crowell, now Dean of New York Law School. Best serves as General Counsel in the mayor’s office and is one of the mayor’s senior management and policy advisors, helping to coordinate and oversee City agencies, boards, and committees. Best has served in City government since 1991, having worked as General Counsel to the City’s Criminal Justice Coordinator, Director of the Office of Contracts, Deputy Counsel to Mayor Bloomberg, and General Counsel of the New York City Department of Education. Best began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan.
Gearing up for Hurricane Sandy. On Friday, October 26, 2012, Mayor Bloomberg issued his public announcement concerning the City’s preparations to respond to fast-approaching Hurricane Sandy. As Counselor to the Mayor, Best was behind the scenes helping to turn those preparations into a reality. Best is no stranger to City crises; he worked in the Office of Contracts in Rudolph W. Giuliani’s administration during the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and was responsible for overseeing emergency contracts to help the City recover following the terrorist attack. When Mayor Bloomberg took office in January 2002, Best joined the City Hall team as Deputy Counsel. The City was still in a state of emergency and Best helped with mayoral emergency orders related to traffic and safety issues around the World Trade Center site. During Hurricane Sandy, Best drew on his past emergency experience as well as the knowledgeable team of lawyers who had previously handled the City’s response to Hurricane Irene in 2011.
