Associate General Counsel

City of New York•New York, NY

27d•Hybrid

About The Position

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Associate General Counsel in its General Counsel Division (GCD). The Associate General Counsel reports to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement and oversees one of the GCD’s litigation and enforcement units. The role leads attorneys who research, investigate, and prosecute illegal, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices by individual businesses and industries, with a focus on emerging deceptive and unconscionable pricing issues. The Associate General Counsel oversees affirmative litigation and enforcement matters, including investigations and proceedings concerning deceptive junk fees, the hotel junk fee rule, the click-to-cancel rule, the Truth in Pricing Law, the Consumer Protection Law, and other laws within DCWP’s jurisdiction addressing dynamic and surveillance pricing. The role manages investigative and trial work, supports cases from investigation through settlement or trial, develops litigation strategies, and trains legal and investigative staff. The position also oversees enforcement of the Safe Hotels Act and laws regulating funeral homes and automated employment decision-making tools. Duties include leading enforcement actions before the City’s administrative tribunal and in New York State court, conducting compliance initiatives, overseeing trials, reviewing and drafting legal documents, and supporting the New York City Law Department in litigation related to licensed categories. The Associate General Counsel leads DCWP’s strategy for enforcing the modernized Truth in Pricing Law, including restrictions on dynamic and surveillance pricing, and directs research into best practices for consumer protection. The role monitors market supply fluctuations and implements DCWP’s Price Gouging Rule during States of Emergency. It also provides legal advice to other divisions on licensing laws and rules, legislation, enforcement priorities, communications, and external affairs matters. The position supervises and develops a team of attorneys, ensuring work is accurate and efficient, policies and procedures are followed, and professional development goals are met. The ideal candidate has significant supervisory and managerial experience, strong writing skills, strategic-planning experience, and experience using technology and data to advance legal goals. The role requires an attorney who is self-motivated, comfortable with substantial responsibility, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar.
Four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar.
At least 18 months of experience supervising other attorneys in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
Must remain a Member of the New York State Bar in good standing throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Significant supervisory and managerial experience.
Superb writing skills.
Experience with strategic planning.
Experience using technology and data to further legal goals.
Experience overseeing litigation and enforcement work involving consumer and worker protection laws.

Responsibilities

Oversee a unit of GCD affirmative litigation and enforcement attorneys investigating and prosecuting illegal, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices.
Manage the team’s investigative and trial work, including proceedings before OATH and in State court as needed.
Support matters from investigation through settlement or trial and keep them progressing to meet deadlines.
Work with GCD senior management to develop strategies for identifying and prosecuting affirmative litigation cases.
Train legal and investigative staff in skills needed to advance GCD litigation goals.
Oversee enforcement of the Safe Hotels Act and laws regulating funeral homes and automated employment decision-making tools.
Serve as lead counsel as necessary in enforcement actions before the City’s administrative tribunal and in New York State court.
Conduct industry-wide compliance initiatives and coordinate targeted enforcement efforts.
Oversee and participate in trials, and review and assist in drafting summonses, petitions, motions, briefs, subpoenas, Consent Orders, discovery documents, correspondence, and other legal documents.
Support the New York City Law Department with litigation related to licensed categories.
Lead DCWP’s strategy to enforce the modernized Truth in Pricing Law, including restrictions on dynamic and surveillance pricing.
Manage and direct research into best practices for protecting consumers from surveillance pricing, coordinating with other GCD attorneys and DCWP divisions.
Monitor market supply fluctuations and implement DCWP’s Price Gouging Rule during States of Emergency.
Provide legal counseling to other divisions on licensed categories, including interpretation of licensing laws and rules.
Assist with review and drafting of legislation and rules implementing legislation.
Review and revise Licensing and Enforcement Division tools and documents for compliance and consistency with laws and rules.
Advise on drafting and reviewing enforcement and licensing documents and assessing enforcement priorities.
Work with the Communications Division to frame legal issues and answer questions.
Work with External Affairs on elected-official inquiries, responses, and preparation for public hearings concerning potential new Agency responsibilities.
Supervise and oversee attorneys to ensure efficient and accurate work, adherence to policies and procedures, and progress toward professional development goals.