Staff Counsel

City of New York•New York City, NY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. The Office of Labor Policy & Standards (“OLPS”) enforces the City’s worker protection laws, including the Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek scheduling laws that protect fast food and retail workers, and Delivery Worker Laws that protect delivery workers classified as independent contractors. OLPS settles and litigates dozens of large cases a year on behalf of classes of workers who have experienced violations of pay or scheduling rights. We have recovered over $120 million for workers through enforcement and raised pay by over $1 billion via the minimum pay rate for delivery workers classified as independent contractors. We also administer the Freelance Isn’t Free Act (FIFA) program, which assists freelance workers who have experienced wage theft and other violations, and we bring pattern and practice litigation on behalf of freelancers against repeat violators. Under all laws we enforce, OLPS obtains monetary compensation for workers for violations and brings companies into compliance. Working closely with outside stakeholders, OLPS also advocates for new laws, performs research and data analysis to make policy recommendations, and conducts outreach and education to workers, employers, and the general public. DCWP’s worker protection enforcement staff is rapidly expanding from a staff of 45 to 75 in 2026, with further expansion planned in future years.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar
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
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
Two or more years of litigation experience and interest in issues affecting low-wage workers.

Nice To Haves

Strong attention to detail
Excellent time management and organizational skills
Enjoys the challenge of performing complex legal research
Collaborating with diverse teams
Working with both attorneys and non-attorneys
Tackling novel legal and policy questions creatively

Responsibilities

Lead complex investigations to develop evidence suited to litigation, in collaboration with investigation teams of data scientists and investigators.
Review investigators' reports and evaluate the strength of evidence for litigation.
Litigate enforcement actions to obtain monetary relief for employees who experience workplace violations. This includes drafting pleadings and motions, managing discovery, interviewing witnesses, preparing witnesses to testify, developing damages calculations, advocating for DCWP at settlement conferences and other appearances, and trying cases.
Edit and draft Consent Orders and negotiate settlement terms with employers to resolve enforcement matters.
Perform legal research to support OLPS enforcement and policy work.
Write letters, legal briefs, and legal research memos on matters related to enforcement and policy.
Write public-facing materials about the laws OLPS enforces.