Staff Counsel

City of New York • New York City, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is seeking an attorney for its General Counsel Division to litigate high-impact consumer protection and regulatory enforcement cases on behalf of New York City. Staff Counsel handles enforcement matters from identifying potential targets and developing investigations through litigation or settlement. The role involves working with attorneys and collaborating with investigators, inspectors, agency leadership, and other agency divisions to develop cases and enforcement strategies. The attorney may conduct investigations and discovery, take depositions, negotiate settlements, appear before the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and New York State courts, and try cases on behalf of the City.

Staff Counsel will serve on one of six units of litigation and regulatory enforcement attorneys, develop subject matter expertise in one or more industries licensed and regulated by the Department, and help advance consumer protection and affordability initiatives. The position also involves collaboration with data scientists and economists, and participation in outreach, training, public education, legislative, and rulemaking work.

The DCWP is a municipal enforcement agency focused on economic justice and protecting consumers and workers from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices. It licenses more than 45,000 businesses across more than 45 industries and provides services including free tax preparation and financial counseling. The position may be eligible for remote work up to two days per week under the Flexible Work Pilot Program. The role offers a hybrid schedule, City benefits, and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• At least 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).
• Remain a member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of employment.
• For Assignment Level II: one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience after bar admission in areas of law 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 of law related to the assignment.

Responsibilities

• Identify unlawful conduct and emerging enforcement issues, develop investigation plans and enforcement strategies, and support regulatory enforcement initiatives.
• Develop and litigate enforcement cases, including conducting legal research, drafting pleadings and motions, managing discovery, taking depositions, preparing witnesses, and appearing before OATH and New York State courts.
• Draft and negotiate settlement agreements and other resolutions that promote legal compliance and, where appropriate, provide relief to affected consumers.
• Collaborate with and advise other agency divisions on legal issues related to consumer protection and administrative enforcement.
• Work with data scientists and economists to inform and strengthen the impact of agency work.
• Participate in agency outreach, trainings, and public education efforts.
• Collaborate with attorneys on policy solutions and participate in legislative and rulemaking processes.
• Try cases on behalf of the City.

Benefits

• Strong City benefits.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Hybrid work schedule, with potential eligibility for remote work up to two days per week.

What This Job Offers

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