Senior Staff Counsel

City of New York • New York City, NY

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position may be eligible for remote work for up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program. The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses nearly 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The General Counsel Division is seeking an experienced attorney with a strong sense of justice and bold and creative ideas on how to utilize our authority to seek it.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
• Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
• Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
• To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
• To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

Nice To Haves

• The ideal candidate will be capable of working in teams, with both attorney and non-attorney staff, and will perform ad hoc tasks as required.
• The ideal candidate will also have substantive litigation experience, an interest in consumer protection and an ability to use inventive and creative approaches to impactful litigation.

Responsibilities

• Make initial determinations as to whether matters should be investigated; determine legal theories and plans for investigations and carry them out; and review completed investigations or compliance reports for legal sufficiency.
• Assist in investigating matters and preparing cases for trial by securing and preparing evidence, conferring with witnesses, participating in conferences, examining and cross-examining witnesses, conducting oral arguments before the New York State Supreme Court or OATH, and drafting legal documents needed during the various stages of litigation.
• Engage in communications with consumers, opposing counsel, and regulated businesses in order to advance investigations, enforce regulations, and resolve violations and litigation via settlement.
• Recommend whether cases should be filed and litigated in Supreme Court or OATH, resolved informally or through settlements; and negotiate settlements as appropriate.
• Try cases before appropriate adjudicatory bodies.
• Confer with other government agencies and Agency divisions.
• Participate in enforcing a variety of consumer-related laws within the agency’s jurisdiction.
• Supervise more junior attorneys and legal support staff, as necessary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees