Associate General Counsel

City of New York•New York, NY

10d

About The Position

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s General Counsel Division seeks an experienced attorney to oversee a litigation and enforcement unit. The unit researches, investigates, and prosecutes illegal, deceptive, and fraudulent practices by individual businesses and industries, with a focus on emerging consumer-protection issues, including deceptive fees, cancellation rules, pricing practices, food-delivery regulation, and artificial intelligence-related laws. The Associate General Counsel reports to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement. The position leads affirmative litigation and enforcement, including investigative and trial work, proceedings before OATH and in state court, case management from investigation through settlement or trial, strategy development, and staff training. It also oversees enforcement of laws concerning third-party food delivery, truth in pricing, and automated employment decision-making tools; may serve as lead counsel; directs compliance initiatives; and reviews and drafts legal documents. The role leads DCWP’s strategy for enforcing the modernized Truth in Pricing Law, including restrictions on dynamic and surveillance pricing, monitors market supply fluctuations and implements the Price Gouging Rule during states of emergency, and develops collaboration with the Research and Analytics Division to support investigations, litigation, and consumer redress. The Associate General Counsel provides legal advice to other divisions on licensed categories, licensing laws and rules, legislation, enforcement priorities, and related documents and communications. The role supervises attorneys, ensuring effective and accurate work, compliance with policies and procedures, and progress toward professional-development goals. The ideal candidate has significant supervisory and managerial experience, strong writing skills, and experience in strategic planning and using technology and data to advance legal goals. The position involves substantial responsibility in a fast-paced environment. The position may be eligible for remote work up to two days per week through the Flexible Work Pilot Program.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar.
Four years of recent, full-time, responsible, relevant, and satisfactory legal experience after 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.
Excellent writing skills.
Experience with strategic planning.
Experience using technology and data to further legal goals.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and take on substantial responsibility.

Responsibilities

Oversee a unit of affirmative litigation and enforcement attorneys investigating and prosecuting illegal, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices.
Manage investigative and trial work, including proceedings before OATH and in New York State court as necessary.
Support cases from investigation through settlement or trial and keep matters on schedule to meet deadlines.
Develop strategies with GCD senior management to identify, investigate, and prosecute impactful affirmative litigation cases.
Train legal and investigative staff in skills needed to meet the division’s litigation and enforcement goals.
Oversee enforcement of laws concerning third-party food delivery licensing, truth in pricing, and automated employment decision-making tools.
Serve as lead counsel when necessary in administrative tribunal and state-court enforcement actions; conduct industry-wide compliance initiatives and coordinate targeted enforcement.
Oversee and participate in trials and review or assist with drafting summonses, petitions, motions, briefs, subpoenas, consent orders, discovery materials, correspondence, and other legal documents.
Support the New York City Law Department in litigation involving licensed categories.
Lead DCWP strategy to enforce the modernized Truth in Pricing Law, including restrictions on dynamic and surveillance pricing.
Direct research into best practices for protecting consumers from surveillance pricing, coordinating with GCD attorneys and DCWP divisions.
Monitor market supply fluctuations and implement DCWP’s Price Gouging Rule during states of emergency.
Develop work with the Research and Analytics Division to support investigations, litigation, and consumer redress.
Provide legal counseling to other divisions on licensed categories and the interpretation of licensing laws and rules.
Assist with reviewing and drafting legislation and rules and revise licensing and enforcement tools and documents for legal compliance and consistency.
Advise on drafting and reviewing division documents and assessing enforcement priorities.
Work with Communications and External Affairs on legal issues, inquiries from elected officials, public responses, and hearings concerning potential new Agency responsibilities.
Supervise attorneys to ensure efficient and accurate work, adherence to policies and procedures, and achievement of professional-development goals.