Staff Counsel

City of New York•New York, NY

2d•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 negotiated resolution. The attorney works with other attorneys and collaborates with investigators, inspectors, agency leadership, and other divisions to develop cases and enforcement strategies, and may become a subject matter expert in one or more industries licensed and regulated by the Department. The role includes affirmative consumer protection litigation and enforcement, regulatory issues, and work with data scientists and economists to inform agency priorities. Staff Counsel 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 for the City. The position also involves agency outreach, training, public education, and participation in policy, legislative, and rulemaking processes. The position may be eligible for remote work up to two days per week under the Flexible Work Pilot Program. The City describes itself as an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment based on legally protected status or characteristics.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar and membership in good standing for the duration of 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 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 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 agency work and increase its impact.
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 when needed.