Local Legend: NY's Top Lawyer Tish James Talks Clinton Hill

NEW YORK — When she's not suing the Trump administration or fishing with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, state Attorney General Letitia James might be grabbing a slice or a donut in Clinton Hill.

James says the diversity of the Brooklyn neighborhood she's called home for nearly two decades has a big influence on her work as New York's top lawyer.

The Democratic official represented Clinton Hill and other Central Brooklyn neighborhoods on the City Council before being elected New York City's public advocate, a job she gave up last year for her current post in Albany.

But James, whom many New Yorkers know as Tish, says she still walks the streets hearing her neighbors' concerns about issues such as education, affordable housing and cycling safety.

The newly minted AG spoke with Patch as part of our Local Legends series, where people who make New York City great discuss the neighborhoods they call home.

Last week we interviewed music producer Martin Bisi about his Gowanus mutation and next week we'll talk Queens eats with acclaimed food writer Joe DiStefano.

Here's what James had to say about Clinton Hill.

Describe Clinton Hill in three words.

Diverse, neighborly, artsy.

Describe your perfect day in Clinton Hill.

First, going to Church at Emanuel Baptist Church on Lafayette, then walking over to Urban Vintage for coffee, walking to Dough for a donut, and then ending up at Choice (Market) and sitting outside, talking to my neighbors.

What food does Clinton Hill do best? Where do you find it?

Pizza from Luigi’s (The 3 Luigis) on Grand and Lafayette avenues. This has been a staple in the community for a long time and can beat any other NYC pizza.

What’s your best quintessential Clinton Hill story?

When there was a blackout in the early 1990s and we all sat on our stoops eating ice cream and I had to get up from eating my ice cream and had to serve as a traffic cop.

How does Clinton Hill influence your work?

Clinton Hill is a deeply diverse neighborhood that is home to seniors, young people, people of all religions and races, public housing, brownstones, public schools, and everything in between. I spend a lot of time walking around my neighborhood, talking to residents, and listening to their concerns — so Clinton Hill greatly influences my work and I take every issue I hear about very seriously.

Across the street from where I live is a NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Center), where a significant number of the residents are seniors, and they talk to me about issues in the neighborhood and city. Down the block is public housing — Lafayette Gardens — and I speak to individuals about issues in public housing. Around the corner are individuals in brownstones who talk to me about their housing concerns, and on Clinton Avenue and Washington Avenue, I hear from residents who are living in Mitchell-Lama buildings who are also concerned about the crisis in affordable housing.

Down the block, we have P.S. 11, P.S. 270 and several other public schools — and I know parents and the teachers there who talk to me about education issues. Lastly, because we have a bike lane on Lafayette Avenue, I hear from cyclists all the time about their concerns and the need, especially today, to protect cyclists in the city.

What makes Clinton Hill New York’s best neighborhood?

I am the former Council Member of the 35th Council District, which includes Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, and parts of Bed-Stuy, and those are the best neighborhoods in the entire city.

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• Gastor Almonte Says Great Comedy Starts In East NY

This interview was lightly edited for clarity and style.