Lisa Zornberg, the chief counsel for the City of New York and a key legal advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, has announced her sudden resignation, effective immediately. The announcement came late Saturday night, leaving city officials and political observers speculating about the timing and implications of her departure.
Lisa Zornberg, who was appointed by Mayor Adams in July 2023, expressed her gratitude in a formal statement: “I am deeply grateful to Mayor Adams for giving me the opportunity to serve the city, and I strongly support the work he has done and continues to do for New Yorkers.”
Her sudden resignation, however, raises questions that remain unanswered, as no further details were offered regarding the reasons behind her decision.
Mayor Adams publicly acknowledged Zornberg’s contributions, stating, “We appreciate all the work Lisa has done for our administration and, more importantly, the city over the past 13 months. These are hard jobs and we don’t expect anyone to stay in them forever. We wish Lisa all the best in her future endeavors.”
He assured the public that the senior members of the counsel’s team would continue to operate seamlessly, with plans to appoint an acting chief counsel in the coming days.
Zornberg’s role as chief counsel was pivotal, as she served not only the city but also provided legal and strategic advice directly to City Hall. Her presence was a fixture at the mayor’s weekly press briefings, where she addressed questions related to several ongoing federal investigations.
This backdrop adds a layer of complexity to her resignation, especially as it coincides with a period of heightened scrutiny of the Adams administration.
In recent weeks, federal investigators have intensified their focus, seizing devices from several senior officials within the administration. Despite this, Zornberg had previously assured the public, stating, “Investigators have not indicated to us the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation. As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has repeatedly made clear that all members of the team need to follow the law.”
Mayor Adams has consistently denied any allegations of wrongdoing, maintaining that he and his team are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigations. As of now, no charges have been filed, but Zornberg’s exit adds another layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative.
The city awaits further developments, as the administration navigates through this turbulent period with Zornberg’s unexpected departure, leaving many to wonder about the potential implications for the mayor and his team in the context of the ongoing federal probes.