After 10 years serving as a Commissioner for the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC), Nora Constance Marino, Esq. decided to step down in October. A long-time advocate for drivers and small business owners in her role as Commissioner, Ms. Marino was known for always standing up for what she thought was right and always seeking justice for the vulnerable and those who struggled to have their voices heard.
Well-respected by industry leaders and drivers alike, Ms. Marino says she always tried to listen to all sides of an issue, rather than be influenced by any one group, and that justice was always her goal.
“There are a lot of moving parts to the transportation industry in New York City; every decision, every choice can have unintended consequences that aren’t always readily apparent,” she explains. “It wasn’t an easy job, but I always tried to see the big picture, to do my best to help those who needed it.”
In recent years, she focused much of her energy on trying to help Yellow Taxi Medallion owners, who she feels were treated unfairly by the City of New York.
“When the City sold those Medallions, it created a contractual relationship to give medallion owners certain exclusive rights,” she said. “It appears that in some respect, that obligation was breached. I’m hoping that medallion owners will be sufficiently compensated in the months ahead. I say this, not just as a commissioner but also as a lawyer who has always sought justice.”
In addition to serving as a TLC Commissioner, Ms. Marino has run a private law practice for 25 years (Marino Justice), focusing on negligence, personal injury, constitutional law, among other areas of expertise.
In 2001-2002, she served her country with distinction as a First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the United States Army Reserve and received an Honorable Discharge. She also acted as a legal commentator numerous times on HLN’s “The Jane Velez-Mitchell Show.” In 2018, she received a New York State Senate “Women of Distinction” award, and in 2014, was named a “Top Woman in Business” by The Queens Courier. She received her education at New York University, and the City University School of Law at Queens College, and is a member of the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice, among others. She is admitted to practice law in New York State, Connecticut and Colorado, as well as Federal Court and the United States Supreme Court.
A prominent advocate for animals, Ms. Marino regularly works on issues related to animal cruelty. In 2014, she created a not-for-profit organization known as the Animal Cruelty Exposure Fund, whose mission is to expose animal cruelty through the media while promoting animal advocacy and education.
What’s next for Ms. Marino?
“I’m going to continue to run my private practice and use what I have learned over the past decade at the TLC to do more for those involved in the transportation industry,” she said. “At its core, law is supposed to be the pursuit of justice and I would like to use my litigation experience and industry expertise to help people who are struggling – and there are plenty of people struggling right now in New York City’s transportation industry.”
For more information, visit Marino Justice.
