Michael A. Cardozo, Esteemed Proskauer Litigation Partner and Former NYC Corporation Counsel, Has Passed Away
The legal world is grieving the loss of Michael A. Cardozo, a distinguished litigation partner at Proskauer Rose LLP and former longest‑serving Corporation Counsel for New York City, who passed away on June 23, 2025, at the age of 83, following a brief illness.
🕊️ A Legacy of Legal Excellence and Public Service
Born on June 28, 1941, Michael A. Cardozo graduated from Brown University (1963) before earning his J.D. from Columbia Law School (1966), where he served as an editor of the Law Review. He began his storied legal career at Proskauer Rose in 1967, becoming a partner in 1974. Over more than four decades, he held multiple leadership roles, including co-chair of the firm’s Litigation Department and executive committee member .
From 2002 to 2013, Cardozo served as New York City’s Corporation Counsel, the longest tenure in the office’s modern history. During that time, he oversaw the city’s Law Department—counseling mayors, agencies, and city bodies—and earned a reputation for operational excellence, strategic litigation management, and cutting City legal expenditures by an estimated 14%.
He returned to Proskauer in 2014 and continued serving as a senior litigator, handling high-profile commercial and sports law matters—including representation of major professional leagues, corporate clients, and litigations against municipal entities.
💼 Professional Achievements and Civic Leadership
Over his career, Cardozo received numerous prestigious honors, including:
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The American Lawyer Lifetime Achievement Award
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The Federal Bar Council’s Emory Buckner Award for Outstanding Public Service
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Columbia Law School’s Lawrence Wien Prize for Social Responsibility
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The ADL Human Relations Award and Fund for Modern Courts Career Public Service Award
He also served as President of the New York City Bar Association (1996–1998) and held roles on numerous legal reform and ethics boards, including the NY State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government—appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022. His integrity, humility, and vision for the legal profession made him a mentor to many.
🌟 Remembering Michael — A Man Beyond the Law
Away from the courtroom, Michael Cardozo was deeply committed to public service. He was a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a board member of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and a strong advocate for court reform through the Fund for Modern Courts and similar organizations .
Colleagues remember him as a generous mentor, known for engaging with associates at every level, fostering growth, and championing legal ethics. As a loving husband and father, he is survived by his wife Nancy Caryn Cardozo, daughters Hedy and Sheryl, and grandchildren Lucy, Joshua, and Ellie.
🕯️ Community Mourns the Passing of a Legal Giant
Michael Cardozo’s passing has prompted heartfelt reflections from across the legal and civic landscape. One tribute captured his essence:
“A revered legal mind and civic leader whose integrity and dedication to justice shaped modern New York.”
Funeral services are set to take place on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Central Synagogue in New York City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Legal Outreach, The Fund for Modern Courts, or another charity of your choice .
📘 A Legacy That Endures
Michael A. Cardozo’s career bridged public and private sectors, always guided by values of compassion, fairness, and professional excellence. He influenced landmark litigation, shaped municipal legal policies, and exemplified a lawyer’s duty to serve the greater good.
As friends, colleagues, and community members remember his warmth and vision, his impact continues in the institutions he strengthened, the reforms he championed, and the lives he mentored.
May he rest in peace, his legacy forever illuminating the path for future generations of lawyers and public servants.