James Maisano, District 11 Minority Whip

Legislator James (Jim) Maisano has lived in New Rochelle since 1964, when his family moved from Brooklyn, NY. In 2005, Jim was elected to his fifth term on the Westchester County Board of Legislators, where he represents approximately 53,000 people in the City of New Rochelle and Town of Pelham.

Since first being elected to the Board of Legislators in 1997, Jim has held various leadership positions, including: Republican Minority Leader (2003); Republican Minority Whip (2002); Co-Chair, Rules Committee (2003); Chair, Public Works Committee (2000-2001); and Chair, Intergovernmental Relations Committee (2004-2005). He has also been a member of the Committees on Legislation, Environment, Families and Labor during his service as a County Legislator.

A regional leader on environmental protection issues, Jim has greatly enjoyed his service over the past decade as the Chair of the Subcommittee on the Long Island Sound. Jim has worked diligently to protect the water quality of the Sound and preserve open space and public access on the Sound’s waterfront. Recently, while serving as Chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Jim oversaw initiatives to improve the working relations between Westchester County and the federal, state and local governments. With Jim’s leadership, this committee took action that helped stop the closing of the New Rochelle Family Court.

Jim’s legislative priorities include controlling taxes while maintaining high quality services, protecting the quality of life of the neighborhoods in New Rochelle and Pelham, ensuring clean air and clean water while preserving open space, and promoting open and responsible government with expanded citizen participation.

Jim is a member of many civic and professional organizations, including: the New Rochelle Lions Club, Bronx-New Rochelle Elks Lodge #756, Marine Corps League, Irish Benevolent Society, Adirondack Mountain Club, Westchester Bar Association, and New Rochelle Bar Association. He is also a coach in the New Rochelle Little League.

Jim is a counsel with the New York office of the prominent international law firm of Crowell & Moring LLP. He is a member of the firm's litigation group, and also practices in the area of government relations. Jim has been a member of the Bar of the State of New York since 1992.

Jim earned his B.A. in History and Political Science from the City University of New York at Hunter College in 1989. In 1992, Jim received his J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law and was chosen to make the student commencement address at his law school graduation.

One of his proudest accomplishments was from 1984 to 1988, when Jim served in the United States Marine Corps. He worked as a landing support specialist in embarkation and logistics, organizing the loading and unloading of helicopters, airplanes and ships. Jim also served as platoon sergeant and supervised and trained a platoon of Marines. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant.

Married since 1996, Jim and his wife, Jean, live in New Rochelle with their son, Michael and dog, Oakley. Jean works as a fundraising and communications consultant for various nonprofit agencies in Westchester County and also does freelance writing for local newspapers.

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