Agency Attorney

City of New York • New York City, NY

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The New York City Police Department Legal Bureau provides legal guidance to the Department, advises members on legal matters, monitors the Department’s relationship with the criminal justice system, supports interpretation and enforcement of laws, helps ensure Department policies and practices are lawful and fairly applied, and develops legislation related to Department needs and public safety. The Bureau’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Unit analyzes and responds to public and media requests for Department records, policies, statistics, and procedures. Unit personnel identify, locate, redact, and produce Department records, including sensitive and confidential materials.

The Agency Attorney II reports directly to the Records Access Officer and the Director, FOIL Matters. The position analyzes and processes FOIL requests, retrieves and reviews responsive records, applies legally required redactions, liaises with agency executives on significant or newsworthy requests, and represents the Department in certain New York State Supreme Court proceedings. The attorney also assists with unit supervision, reviews unit work, and covers for other legal staff in emergencies.

The role is based at 375 Pearl Street in New York, New York, during business hours. Candidates must be admitted to the New York State Bar and remain in good standing throughout employment, and must meet the specified legal experience requirements for their assignment level.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar and continued membership in good standing for the duration of employment.
• At least one year of satisfactory United States legal experience after admission to any state bar, or six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne.
• For Assignment Level II, one year of Assignment Level I experience or two years of comparable legal experience after admission to the bar in areas related to the assignment.
• For Assignment Level III, two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience after admission to the bar in areas related to the assignment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and intake FOIL requests from the public, including law firms, media outlets, research students, advocacy groups, and nonprofit organizations, for NYPD records and data.
• Retrieve records from Department databases and various NYPD commands.
• Examine responsive records and apply appropriate redactions in accordance with applicable laws.
• Act as a liaison with agency executives concerning significant or newsworthy requests.
• Represent the Department in special proceedings in New York State Supreme Court in which petitioners seek to compel disclosure of records exempt under the Freedom of Information Law.
• Assist with overall unit supervision, including covering for other legal staff in emergencies and reviewing the Unit’s work.

Benefits

• Health insurance for the employee and eligible spouse or domestic partner and unemancipated children under age 26.
• Union benefits, including dental and vision coverage.
• Paid annual leave and sick leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Pension.
• Optional savings and pre-tax programs, including Deferred Compensation, IRA, and a flexible spending account.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed