General Counsel

City of New York•New York City, NY

25d

About The Position

The General Counsel serves as the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice’s chief legal officer and a member of its Executive Team, providing strategic legal guidance across the agency’s portfolios and exercising a high level of independent judgment. The role also serves as Administrative Justice Coordinator, overseeing the Office’s City administrative matters, case matters, and legal-status tracking to ensure legal strategy aligns with City administrative requirements and agency operations. The General Counsel collaborates with senior leadership on strategic priorities and operational effectiveness and serves as the Office’s primary liaison to the New York City Law Department and other legal partners. The successful candidate is solutions-oriented and able to execute quickly in a fast-paced government environment. The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice develops solutions to public-safety challenges, reduces crime and incarceration, and creates programs intended to improve lives, strengthen community stability, and support healthy and safe New York City neighborhoods. It works with community and institutional stakeholders to improve efficiency, accountability, and fairness in the justice system. Candidates must submit a resume and a cover letter explaining their interest in this specific position. The position is Executive Agency Counsel, title code 95005. The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment based on legally protected status or characteristics.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar.
Four years of recent, full-time, responsible, relevant, and satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar.
At least 18 months of the required experience must have involved 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.
Submit a resume and cover letter explaining interest in this specific position.

Responsibilities

Provide legal oversight and strategic guidance on the Office’s legal, compliance, and policy matters.
Oversee agency contracting activity, including reviewing complex agreements, memoranda of understanding, and procurement instruments, and advising leadership on legal and compliance implications.
Oversee internal disciplinary investigations and coordinate with external contracted investigation entities and review teams.
Supervise and support legal staff through guidance, mentorship, and review of work product.
Serve as Administrative Justice Coordinator by coordinating and monitoring City administrative matters, case matters, and legal-status reporting, including tracking litigation, legal inquiries, and matters requiring coordination with the Law Department.
Liaise with Mayor’s Counsel and the NYC Law Department on litigation support, legislative matters, and legal strategy involving criminal justice policy.
Liaise with the Conflicts of Interest Board and guide agency staff on compliance with the Conflicts of Interest Law.
Liaise with federal, State, and City investigative agencies, including the Department of Investigation, to ensure appropriate responses to investigative and related matters.
Serve as the agency’s Records Appeals Officer and oversee compliance with the Freedom of Information Law.
Work with the New York State Office of Court Administration, the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services, and indigent defense providers on indigent defense policy, funding, legal compliance, and operational coordination.
Advise the Director and Executive Team on legal risk, regulatory compliance, and policy implications of agency initiatives.
Review legal work product and provide feedback to support attorney development and consistent legal standards.
Collaborate with agency leadership on policy development, operational procedures, and governance matters.
Represent the Office before City Council, at community meetings, and in interagency forums, as needed.
Work closely with Human Resources on confidential personnel matters.
Support legislative analysis and coordination with Intergovernmental Affairs.
Provide legal guidance on criminal justice, labor, procurement, privacy, and administrative law.