218 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine SOCIAL SERVICES AND NONPROFIT as a civil legal services staff attorney, line attorney supervisor, legal program manager and senior law reform litigator until 2004. He worked with numerous entities to lead The Legal Aid Society through an out-of-court financial restructuring that saved the organization from bankruptcy. Likewise, he collaborated with legal staff to increase the employment of staff attorneys of color. For his efforts, he was recognized by the New York City Bar Association as a Diversity Champion. Mr. Banks has been named among the Top 45 Lawyers and recognized as One of the Most Influential People by New York Magazine. In 2020, he was listed in New York City Power 100, and the New York University School of Law bestowed upon him an honorary degree. Mr. Banks holds a BA, magna cum laude, from Brown University and a JD from the New York University School of Law. Looking toward the future, he intends to continue making a difference in the lives of lowincome families and individuals. Since 2014, Steven Banks has excelled as the commissioner for the New York City Department of Social Services. In his role, he is responsible for all aspects of the department’s operations, with an annual budget of $12 billion and approximately 16,000 staff members serving more than three million New Yorkers per year. Mr. Banks is notable for developing, implementing and managing the first right-to-counsel program for low-income tenants in Housing Court in the nation, which reduced eviction rates by 41%. Additionally, he managed the reforms to reverse 20 years’ worth of punitive public benefit policies during the Giuliani and Bloomberg administrations, and developed new social services rental assistance and rehousing programs that have enabled 150,000 children and adults to secure permanent housing. Previously, Mr. Banks served as attorney-inchief of The Legal Aid Society between 2004 and 2014, which annually handles over 300,000 legal matters with a staff of 1,900, including over 1,100 lawyers. He was responsible for all aspects of the legal practice and operations of their criminal, juvenile rights and civil programs in NewYork City. Beginning as a legal intern in 1980, he then served STEVEN BANKS COMMISSIONER New York City Department of Social Services Brooklyn, NY
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