He served as the New York State Senator from the 25th Senate District from February 1978 to December 2008. He was the Minority Leader of the New York State Senate from 1995 to 2002, the Minority Whip from 1982 to 1984, and the Assistant Minority Leader from 1985 to 1990 and again in 1994. He previously served in the Office of General Counsel, Xerox Corporation, and as an associate in the litigation department of White & Case.