Biography
Bennett Liebman is a Government Lawyer in Residence at Albany Law School and an adjunct professor of law.
He worked for Mario Cuomo while Cuomo was Secretary of State and served as his Counsel when he was Lieutenant Governor When Cuomo was elected governor in 1982, Bennett became his Special Deputy Counsel handling ethics matters, Freedom of Information Law questions, and many other issues. Beginning in 1988, he served as a member of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for more than a decade, including a term as its Acting Co-Chair. He concluded his government service in 2014 after three years as Deputy Secretary to the Governor for Gaming and Racing. At Albany Law School from 2001-2011, he worked at the Government Law Center as the Coordinator of its Program on Racing and Wagering Law and as the Center’s executive director.
In 2016, he came out of retirement to serve as the interim director of the Center. He has written hundreds of articles on horse racing, gambling and New York State government. From 2008-2011, he was a regular blogger for the New York Times Rail Blog authoring over 100 articles. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Union College and a cum laude graduate of New York University School of Law.
In 1997, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program and was the recipient of the Excellence in Public Service Award in 2010 from the New York State Bar Association.
In the News
Government Lawyer in Residence Bennett M. Liebman was quoted in the Business Insider story, “A 'frictionless' gold rush: How online sports betting swept the nation in less than 4 years,” on March 4, 2022.
Government Lawyer in Residence Bennett M. Liebman was quoted in the Bloodhorse webstory, “Judge Hears Arguments on HISA's Constitutionality,” on Feb. 16, 2022.
Interim Director of the Government Law Center Bennett Liebman was quoted in the Paulick Report story, “When It Comes To HISA, Much Of What We Know Is How Much We Don’t Know,” on August 17, 2021.
Interim Director of the Government Law Center Bennett Liebman was quoted in the Daily Racing Form story, “FTC attorneys ask court to dismiss challenge to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act,” on August 17, 2021.
Interim Director of the Government Law Center Bennett Liebman was quoted in the Daily Racing Form story, “Racing-law expert predicts long legal fight over Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority,” on August 16, 2021.
Interim Director of the Government Law Center Bennett Liebman was quoted in the Thoroughbred Daily News story, “Spirited Debate On HISA Highlights Saratoga Conference,” on August 16, 2021.
Interim Director of the Government Law Center Bennett Liebman was quoted in the Albany Times Union story, “To impeach Cuomo, here's what must happen,” on August 9, 2021.
Interim Director of the Government Law Center Bennett Liebman was quoted in the Thoroughbred Daily News story, “Legal Expert Bennett Liebman on Who Won, Who Lost in Baffert Decision,” on July 20, 2021.
Interim Director of the Government Law Center Bennett Liebman was featured in the WGY radio story, “New Era of Horse Racing,” on June 7, 2021.
Interim Director of the Government Law Center Bennett Liebman was featured in The Economist story, “Horseracing, the sport of kings, needs more punters and fewer drugs,” on June 5, 2021.