Associate General Counsel

City of New York•New York City, NY

About The Position

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Associate General Counsel (AGC) in its General Counsel Division. The AGC oversees one of the division’s litigation and enforcement units, whose attorneys research, investigate, and prosecute illegal, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices. The portfolio includes emerging deceptive and unconscionable pricing issues, including junk fees, the hotel junk fee rule, the click-to-cancel rule, the Truth in Pricing Law, the Consumer Protection Law, and laws regulating dynamic and surveillance pricing. The AGC also oversees enforcement of laws concerning the Safe Hotels Act, funeral homes, and automated employment decision-making tools. The role includes leading or overseeing enforcement actions before the City’s administrative tribunal and in New York State court, compliance initiatives, targeted enforcement efforts, and trials. The AGC leads DCWP’s strategy for enforcing the modernized Truth in Pricing Law, researches practices to protect consumers from surveillance pricing, monitors market supply fluctuations, and implements DCWP’s Price Gouging Rule during States of Emergency. The position provides legal counseling to other divisions on licensed categories, licensing laws and rules, legislation, enforcement priorities, and related documents and communications. The AGC supervises a team of attorneys, ensuring efficient and accurate work, compliance with policies and procedures, and progress toward professional development goals. The position reports to the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement. It may be eligible for remote work up to two days per week under the Flexible Work Pilot Program.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar and maintenance of good standing for the duration of employment.
Four years of recent, full-time, responsible, relevant, 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.
Significant supervisory and managerial experience.
Superb writing skills.
Experience with strategic planning and using technology and data to further legal goals.
Self-motivated and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment while handling substantial responsibility.

Responsibilities

Oversee a unit of affirmative litigation and enforcement attorneys researching, investigating, and prosecuting illegal, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices, with a focus on emerging pricing issues.
Manage the team’s investigative and trial work, including proceedings before OATH and in State court as necessary.
Support cases from investigation through settlement or trial and keep matters moving 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 meet litigation goals.
Oversee enforcement of laws concerning the Safe Hotels Act, funeral homes, and automated employment decision-making tools; serve as lead counsel when necessary.
Oversee and participate in enforcement actions, industry-wide compliance initiatives, targeted enforcement efforts, and trials.
Review and assist with drafting summonses, petitions, motions, briefs, subpoenas, Consent Orders, discovery documents, correspondence, and other legal documents.
Provide litigation support to the New York City Law Department concerning licensed categories.
Lead DCWP strategy for enforcing the modernized Truth in Pricing Law, including restrictions on dynamic and surveillance pricing.
Direct research into best practices for protecting consumers from surveillance pricing in coordination with GCD attorneys and DCWP divisions.
Monitor market supply fluctuations and implement DCWP’s Price Gouging Rule during States of Emergency.
Provide legal advice to other divisions about licensed categories and the interpretation of licensing laws and rules.
Assist with reviewing and drafting legislation and rules implementing legislation.
Review and revise Licensing and Enforcement Division tools and documents for consistency with laws and rules; advise on enforcement and licensing documents and enforcement priorities.
Work with Communications on legal issues and questions, and with External Affairs on elected inquiries and public-hearing preparation.
Supervise attorneys, ensuring work is efficient and accurate, policies and procedures are followed, and professional development goals are met.