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Helen M. Blackwood, a native of Mount Vernon, joined the Corporation Counsel's office in February 2002 as First Assistant Corporation Counsel. She was appointed Corporation Counsel in October 2002.

Ms. Blackwood attended Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and entered New York Law School. Helen received her Juris Doctor in 1982 and a Masters in Taxation from New York University School of Law in 1983.

Admitted to the New York State bar in 1983, she began her career as a tax attorney with the then Big 8 accounting firm, Coopers and Lybrand. In 1986 she joined the corporate tax department of Merrill Lynch and Co. Inc. where she provided tax advice to the corporate, retail and investment banking divisions. While at Merrill Lynch, she received the Harlem YMCA Black Achievers Award. In 1990, Helen joined Viacom Inc. where she rose to the level of Vice President, Tax Counsel.

Ms. Blackwood currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Westchester County Health Care Corporation, a founding member of the Mount Vernon Public Library Foundation and first vice president of the Westchester Black Bar Association.