Staff Counsel

City of New York • New York, NY

14h • $83,000 - $95,450

About The Position

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.

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. 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. In July 2026, we will begin enforcing Local Law 52 of 2026, which protects Uber and Lyft drivers from wrongful deactivation. 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 is seeking attorneys with experience and interest in issues affecting low-wage workers.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar
• 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

• Experience and interest in issues affecting low-wage workers

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

Benefits

• The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

What This Job Offers

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