Litigation Attorney

City of New York • New York, NY

22d • $85,000 - $95,000

About The Position

The New York City Comptroller’s Office promotes the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of City government. Through the Bureau of Law and Adjustment (BLA), the Comptroller negotiates and approves monetary settlements of claims and lawsuits involving New York City. BLA investigates pre-litigation claims, seeks fair and lawful resolutions that protect the City’s fiscal interests, reviews requests to settle litigated cases, administers disputes arising from City contracts, and coordinates with the Law Department and City agencies on public fiscal and safety matters.

The Litigation Attorney reports directly to a Senior Attorney and indirectly to the Deputy Director. The attorney uses independent judgment and applies appropriate legal standards to evaluate, negotiate, and resolve claims against the City and its agencies, and to review Law Department requests for settlement authority. The role also involves preparing legal memoranda, participating in settlement negotiations, attending certain hearings, and assisting with intergovernmental risk management initiatives and special projects.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar and continued membership in good standing throughout employment.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience after admission to any state bar, or six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
• For Assignment Level II: one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience after bar admission in areas related to the assignment.
• For Assignment Level III: two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience after bar admission in areas related to the assignment.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, negotiate, and resolve personal injury, civil rights/police, labor and employment, and other tort claims against the City and its agencies before litigation begins.
• Approve, deny, or otherwise act appropriately on Law Department requests for settlement authority.
• Prepare memoranda on pre-litigation claims and pending litigation handled by the Law Department or outside counsel, evaluating liability, risk, and damages and seeking settlement authority beyond individually delegated authority when needed.
• Participate in settlement negotiations in state and federal courts, alternative dispute resolution forums, out-of-court discussions at the Law Department, and direct communications with counsel.
• Attend 50-h hearings on high-profile and media-sensitive matters as necessary.
• Assist Senior Attorneys and Directors with intergovernmental risk management initiatives involving highly confidential or media-sensitive matters.
• Perform other related assignments and special projects as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed