Third Round Of Spitzer Appointments Enhances Regional Offices

Attorney General Spitzer today announced a third round of staff appointments designed to enhance the legal skills and capabilities of the regional offices of the New York State Department of Law.

Spitzer named six individuals who have been either leading state or federal prosecutors, or top-level litigators in private practice to head regional offices in Nassau, Rochester, Poughkeepsie, White Plains, Binghamton and Syracuse.

"Our regional offices form the front lines in the battle to elevate the Department of Law as the premier public interest law organization in the nation," Spitzer said. "Each of the individuals selected to head a regional office is an outstanding litigator who could walk into court immediately and do an outstanding job on behalf of the people of New York."

The latest appointments and their recent positions are as follows:

• Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Nassau County office: Suzan Radin Flamm, former Executive Counsel, Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation, New York City School District; and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of New York;
• Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Rochester office: Marian W. Payson, former Counsel, Public Interest Law Office of Rochester; and former Deputy Chief Appellate Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District;
• Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Poughkeepsie office: Mary B. Kavaney, sole practioner specializing in family court and criminal defense litigation; and former Assistant District Attorney, Orange County;
• Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the White Plains office: Gary S. Brown, former Executive Director, Fund and Committee for Modern Courts; and former Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Westchester regional office;
• Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Binghamton office: Dennis McCabe, litigation partner, Levine, Gouldin & Thompson in Vestal; former Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Binghamton office;
• Acting Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Syracuse office: Wintrop H. Thurlow, litigation partner Martin, Martin & Woodard in Syracuse; and former associate Hancock & Estabrook.

In conjunction with the announcement of the regional office heads, Spitzer named former Cortland County Attorney, former City of Cortland Mayor and municipal law expert Martin Mack as a Deputy Attorney General in Charge of Regional Offices.

Spitzer said Mack's legal credentials, broad administrative experience and comprehensive knowledge of the state make him an excellent addition to the staff. In addition, Spitzer identified a specific challenge for Mack, who is a former co-chair of the State Democratic Party:

"I have asked Marty to deliver the message to local political leaders that partisanship will no longer play a role in operation and management of regional offices," Spitzer said.

Spitzer acknowledged that his non-partisan staffing policy has not been well-received by some political leaders and elected officials. In fact, it has prompted complaints from those who were critical to Spitzer's narrow election victory.

"I have not sought to alienate those who helped elect me," Spitzer said. "At the same time, party leaders and all others must understand my strong commitment to de-politicize the Department of Law."

"For too long, the regional offices in particular have been known for patronage and not the finest in public interest lawyering," he said. "We are committed to changing that."

Mack was responsible for advancing the names of the six individuals selected to head the regional offices. He will be involved in ongoing efforts to bolster the regional offices with highly qualified, non-partisan attorneys.

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