Deputy General Counsel for the Landlord Tenant Litigation Division

City of New York•New York City, NY

14h

About The Position

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation Development (HPD) promotes quality and affordability in the city's housing, and diversity and strength in the city’s neighborhoods because every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love. We maintain building and resident safety and health We create opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability We engage New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity. Your Team: Within HPD’s Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) the Landlord Tenant Litigation Division (LTLD) handles legal issues relating to Landlord Tenant litigation representing the City of New York as owner for residential and commercial properties managed by HPD. Your Role: You will supervise and manage legal work in Housing and Civil Court in properties under HPD’s jurisdiction. As a Deputy General Counsel (DGC), you will be a senior legal advisor to the agency on landlord tenant issues and related matters. You will lead, support, and train executive agency counsel and support staff. You will provide legal advice and strategic guidance to senior agency staff. You will report to the General Counsel. Your Responsibilities: The DGC for LTLD handles legal issues relating to landlord tenant law including summary proceedings in the various boroughs of New York. Additionally, the DGC is responsible for and supervises an attorney and support staff who are responsible for the following: - Review, analyze and prepare cases for Housing Court litigation and for the filing of petitions and notices of petition for holdover and non-payment summary proceedings. - Make court appearances on behalf of HPD as counsel for the petitioner in Housing Court in the various boroughs. - Draft and file pleadings on NYSCEF and review and draft legal briefs and memoranda on landlord tenant issues impacting the agency’s management of City owned property. - Supervise staff charged with the responsibility of the acceptance of service of process made upon HPD including subpoenas, summons and complaints, and other legal papers to insure they are properly sent to the appropriate divisions within the agency and to the Corporation Counsel’s office as necessary. - Act as HPD’s Records Access Appeals Officer and in that capacity is responsible for determining appeals and challenges to responses to requests made to the agency under the Freedom of Information Law. - Assist in the negotiation of relocation claims of tenants from City Assisted Urban Renewal Sites under City and Federal regulations. - Advise the New York City Law Department on case law and litigation strategies on landlord tenant and other real estate matters impacting HPD. - Research relevant statutes, rules, regulations, and relevant case law to resolve problems and issues and properly prepare for litigation. - Advise agency personnel on landlord tenant matters which impact the development and improvement of city owned properties through a variety of programs including the Tenant Interim Lease Program (TIL) and Affordable Neighborhood Cooperative Program (ANCP). - Respond to inquiries and advise the NYC Office of the Comptroller relating to notices of claim made against the City of New York or HPD. - Research relevant statutes, rules, regulations, and relevant case law to resolve problems and issues and properly prepare for litigation. - Review and analyze relevant legislation that may impact the agency in the areas overseen by LTLD.

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, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position.

Nice To Haves

Substantial landlord tenant law experience representing petitioners in holdover and non-payment proceedings.
Ability to handle summary proceedings from commencement through trial.
Extensive knowledge of landlord tenant law including the Real Property and Proceedings Law, and Real Property Law.
Excellent writing, legal research, and analytic skills, and attention to detail.
Experience managing and supervising attorneys and other professionals.
Ability to review and analyze proposed legislation and rules and digest impacts on the agency
Ability to liaise with the New York City Law Department on litigation.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Familiarity and experience with Federal, State and City laws and rules relating to Housing Law.
Ability to work independently or as a part of a team.

Responsibilities

Review, analyze and prepare cases for Housing Court litigation and for the filing of petitions and notices of petition for holdover and non-payment summary proceedings.
Make court appearances on behalf of HPD as counsel for the petitioner in Housing Court in the various boroughs.
Draft and file pleadings on NYSCEF and review and draft legal briefs and memoranda on landlord tenant issues impacting the agency’s management of City owned property.
Supervise staff charged with the responsibility of the acceptance of service of process made upon HPD including subpoenas, summons and complaints, and other legal papers to insure they are properly sent to the appropriate divisions within the agency and to the Corporation Counsel’s office as necessary.
Act as HPD’s Records Access Appeals Officer and in that capacity is responsible for determining appeals and challenges to responses to requests made to the agency under the Freedom of Information Law.
Assist in the negotiation of relocation claims of tenants from City Assisted Urban Renewal Sites under City and Federal regulations.
Advise the New York City Law Department on case law and litigation strategies on landlord tenant and other real estate matters impacting HPD.
Research relevant statutes, rules, regulations, and relevant case law to resolve problems and issues and properly prepare for litigation.
Advise agency personnel on landlord tenant matters which impact the development and improvement of city owned properties through a variety of programs including the Tenant Interim Lease Program (TIL) and Affordable Neighborhood Cooperative Program (ANCP).
Respond to inquiries and advise the NYC Office of the Comptroller relating to notices of claim made against the City of New York or HPD.
Research relevant statutes, rules, regulations, and relevant case law to resolve problems and issues and properly prepare for litigation.
Review and analyze relevant legislation that may impact the agency in the areas overseen by LTLD.