Assistant Corporation Counsel/Senior Counsel - Affirmative Litigation

City of New York • New York City, NY

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The New York City Law Department is hiring admitted attorneys for its Affirmative Litigation Division, which represents the City as plaintiff in cases advancing public health and safety, addressing significant policy issues with revenue or programmatic impact, and enforcing compliance with the law. The division handles matters across commercial disputes, securities litigation, hazardous product cases, civil racketeering, fraud and False Claims Act matters, public nuisance and restitution claims, code enforcement and tenant protection, intellectual property litigation, civil rights actions, and administrative, regulatory, constitutional, and other challenges affecting City funding and policy.

Attorneys independently manage their caseloads from inception through resolution. The position offers opportunities to develop litigation skills and is suited to attorneys interested in meaningful public service, particularly advocacy in the plaintiff role. Following orientation, attorneys may choose between limited, irregular work-from-home days or a pilot program permitting remote work on two set days per week, subject to Division approval and staffing needs. Participants in the pilot must maintain one designated remote work location, and in-person obligations take precedence. The pilot is being tested across City agencies and is not yet permanent.

Salary is based on post-law-school legal experience: $87,737–$122,300 for 0–5 years; $122,300–$137,188 for 5–10 years; $137,188–$159,521 for 10–15 years; $159,521–$180,791 for 15–20 years; and $180,791–$188,235 for 20 or more years. Candidates with highly specialized experience may qualify for salaries slightly above these ranges when that expertise is required or the position is considered hard to fill.

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume together in one document under “cover letter,” and a writing sample and three professional references with contact information together in one document under “resume.” The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment based on legally protected status or characteristics.

Requirements

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to and good standing with the New York State Bar.
• Creative problem-solving skills and initiative to move plaintiff-side cases toward resolution.
• Excellent interpersonal, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Substantial experience advising clients, negotiating settlements, and litigating in state and federal courts.
• Commitment to public service.

Nice To Haves

• Prior government experience is preferred.
• Highly specialized experience may qualify candidates for salary slightly above the stated ranges when the role requires such expertise or is considered hard to fill.

Responsibilities

• Represent the City as plaintiff in matters advancing public health and safety, addressing significant policy issues with revenue or programmatic impact, and enforcing compliance with the law.
• Independently handle assigned caseloads from inception to resolution.
• Litigate matters involving areas such as commercial disputes, securities, hazardous products, civil racketeering, fraud, False Claims Act claims, public nuisance, restitution, code enforcement, tenant protection, intellectual property, civil rights, and legal challenges affecting City funding and policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree