Assistant Corporation Counsel

City of New York•New York City, NY

About The Position

The New York City Law Department is accepting applications from applicants who graduated law school in December 2024 or will graduate in 2025 for entry level Assistant Corporation Counsel positions to start in the Fall of 2025. These attorneys will perform basic legal tasks appropriate to their level of education and experience and, until admitted to the Bar of the State of New York, in a manner consistent with the Appellate Division practice orders. Depending upon the division to which they are assigned, they will draft briefs, pleadings, and motions, perform legal research, take depositions, interview witnesses, draft contracts, draft legislation, and make court and administrative agency appearances. Applicants may be placed in any division of the Law Department based on needs of the Law Department. Applicants selected to be in the Tort or Family Court Divisions may be placed in offices located in any of the five New York City Boroughs. The great majority of our entry level attorneys will be assigned to our Tort Division, which defends the City of New York in personal injury and property damage cases primarily in State Court. Tort has entry-level Assistant Corporation Counsel positions in the Pre-Trial Unit or SLED Unit of the division. Pre-Trial Unit: Pre-trial attorneys handle cases while they are in discovery. They appear regularly in court to attend discovery or other status conferences and argue motions. Attorneys take and defend depositions, request and exchange discovery, engage in settlement negotiations, and write and argue substantive and procedural motions. Once they are experienced pre-trial attorneys, they also may serve as a 1st or 2nd chair of a trial, in addition to their pre-trial case responsibilities. State Law Enforcement Defense (SLED) Unit: Attorneys assigned to the SLED Unit represent police officers in cases involving claims of misconduct. Similar to the Pre-Trial Unit, attorneys in SLED are assigned to handle pre-trial matters on a variety of different cases. To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter as one document under “resume.” ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL - 30112

Requirements

Applicants must have graduated from an ABA approved law school in December 2024 or in 2025.
Applicants must sit for the first available administration of the Uniform Bar Exam, New York Law Exam, and Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam following graduation or have passed these exams during law school.
Candidates should be committed to public service, pursuing justice, and serving the common good.

Nice To Haves

Experience in moot court, trial advocacy, debate, public speaking, or litigation/mediation clinics or internships.
The Law Department seeks individuals from a variety of backgrounds who can bring different perspectives to contribute to the work of the office.
The Law Department also seeks candidates who want to contribute to a work environment that values teamwork, inclusion, and respect.

Responsibilities

Draft briefs, pleadings, and motions
Perform legal research
Take depositions
Interview witnesses
Draft contracts
Draft legislation
Make court and administrative agency appearances
Handle cases while they are in discovery
Appear regularly in court to attend discovery or other status conferences and argue motions
Take and defend depositions
Request and exchange discovery
Engage in settlement negotiations
Write and argue substantive and procedural motions
Serve as a 1st or 2nd chair of a trial, in addition to their pre-trial case responsibilities (for experienced pre-trial attorneys)
Handle pre-trial matters on a variety of different cases (SLED Unit)