David Yassky

Before his election to the NYC Council, Yassky had a distinguished career as a public servant, lawyer and educator. As Chief Counsel to the House Subcommittee on Crime under Chuck Schumer, he helped enact the Brady Law, the Assault Weapons Ban, the Violence Against Women Act, the 100,000 Cops on the Beat Law, and more than a dozen other significant anti-crime statutes. At the time, he was the youngest Committee or Subcommittee Chief Counsel in the House of Representatives. After serving under Representative Schumer, David joined the private sector, practicing corporate law and working with major financial institutions on complex regulatory and legal issues. He also served as a budget analyst for New York City’s Office of Management and Budget, where he developed a comprehensive understanding of the city’s intricate budgeting process and deep knowledge of how the City spends taxpayers’ money. Starting in April 2014, the Pace University law school will be led by David S. Yassky, who served as taxi commissioner under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Mr. Yassky’s appointment comes as law schools across the country grapple with fewer applicants and fewer jobs for graduates. David earned his B.A. at Princeton University, and his J.D. at Yale Law School. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Diana, and their daughters Susan and Margaret.