Mayor’s top aide markets law firm using city official photos, sparking ethics debate

Ali Najmi, who chairs the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary, appeared in a February Instagram video promoting personal-injury firm Liukas Law, PC, and the clip displayed photographs of Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Councilwoman Crystal Hudson at a food-distribution gathering. Najmi claimed the firm’s success stems from a "deep network" across New York City, prompting criticism from governance experts who warned public officials should avoid any appearance of leveraging their positions for private gain.

While reviewers noted the content might not outright violate the city’s conflict-of-interest code, they called for the advisory committee to disclose its recusal policies. City Hall said it had no role in producing the video and was unaware of it when it was released. Najmi defended his actions, citing clearance from the city’s Conflict of Interest Board, and both Liukas Law and Councilwoman Hudson defended his integrity. The episode revives debate over the propriety of city officials engaging in private-sector promotion.