Cardozo is a partner at the law firm Proskauer Rose, and a former president of the New York City Bar Association.
His great grandfather's first cousin was United States Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo.
[citation needed] In 1967, he joined the law firm of Proskauer Rose and became a member of the Litigation Department.
He held that role for 12 years for the full 3-term tenure of the Mayor, the longest anyone has served in that capacity since the Office was created in the mid-19th century.
Under his direction, the Law Department brought successful suits concerning the illegal use of guns and the improper sale of cigarettes, and defended a major class action discrimination suit against the Fire Department, numerous challenges to the health care initiatives of Mayor Bloomberg, and steps taken in connection with the Occupy Wall Street and Republican National Convention demonstrations.
He also successfully represented long time felon Judith Clark, the getaway driver in the infamous Brinks robbery, in seeking parole after having served 39 years in prison.