Assistant Corporation Counsel, Tort Division

City of New York•New York City, NY

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The New York City Law Department’s Tort Division represents the City, its agencies, and employees acting within the scope of their duties in tort claims brought in State court. The Division manages a high-volume caseload through investigation, defense, settlement when appropriate, and trial. Attorneys in the city-wide Borough Units handle statutory hearings and depositions; draft pleadings, motions, and discovery responses; manage document discovery; and appear at preliminary, compliance, settlement, and TAP conferences and oral arguments on motions. Attorneys also take part in the trial rotation program and second-chair opportunities, handling trial investigation and preparation, factual and legal research, evidence, trial strategy, witness preparation, trial-related drafting, and settlement negotiations. Following orientation, attorneys may elect to participate in one of two remote work programs: Flexible Remote Work, which allows limited, irregular work-from-home days, or the Citywide Pilot Program, which allows remote work on two set days per week subject to Division approval and staffing needs. Participants must maintain a single designated remote work location, and in-person obligations take precedence over scheduled remote days. The pilot is being tested across City agencies and is not yet permanent. New-attorney salaries are set according to post-law-school legal experience. The listed ranges are: 0–5 years, $87,737–$122,300; 5–10 years, $122,300–$137,188; 10–15 years, $137,188–$159,521; 15–20 years, $159,521–$180,791; and 20+ years, $180,791–$188,235. Candidates with highly specialized experience may qualify for salaries slightly above these ranges when the role requires that expertise or is considered hard to fill.

Requirements

At least one year of civil litigation experience after graduating from an ABA-accredited law school.
Admission to and good standing with the New York State Bar.
Strong interpersonal and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

Represent the City, its agencies, and City employees acting within the scope of their duties in tort claims brought in State court.
Investigate and vigorously defend tort claims, and pursue settlement or trial when appropriate.
Conduct statutory hearings and depositions.
Draft pleadings, affirmative and responsive motions, and discovery responses.
Manage document discovery.
Appear at preliminary, compliance, settlement, and TAP conferences, and present oral arguments on motions.
Participate in the Division’s trial rotation program and second-chair opportunities.
Investigate and prepare all aspects of trials, including conducting factual and legal research, securing evidence, developing trial strategy, and interviewing and preparing witnesses.
Draft motions, jury charges, trial submissions, and post-trial submissions.
Negotiate settlements.