Staff Counsel

Overview

The General Counsel Division at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Staff Counsel in the Legal Counsel Unit. The Legal Counsel Unit provides advice and counsel to DCWP divisions, supports the implementation of new laws, advises on complex multi-stakeholder license categories, and drafts DCWP contracts and agreements. The Staff Counsel reports to the Associate General Counsel and will work independently or as part of a team of attorneys and non-attorneys.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and guidance to DCWP staff and management on new and existing laws and regulations.
• Assist with implementing new and amended laws, including drafting rules per the City's rulemaking process and drafting DCWP charges, checklists, and penalty schedules necessary to implement and enforce such laws.
• Serve as DCWP's subject matter expert on issues related to specific industries regulated by DCWP.
• Address legal issues arising from DCWP's licensing, collections, and enforcement work.
• Draft memoranda, correspondence, and other legal documents as necessary.
• Communicate with external parties, including licensees, complainants, stakeholders, and sister agencies.
• As needed, assist with other assignments within the General Counsel Division, which may include drafting contracts.

As needed, the Staff Counsel may occasionally bring charges against businesses at the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and / or draft denial or revocation letters for applicants or licensees in certain license categories. The Staff Counsel may negotiate and draft settlement agreements for civil penalties and consumer restitution.

The Staff Counsel should have excellent communication skills and be able to work independently, as well as in teams comprised of attorneys and non-attorneys. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, experienced attorney with strong analytical skills who wishes to provide advice and counsel in a fast-paced, sometimes high-pressured environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Additional Qualification Requirements

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.

Preferred Skills

Additional Information

Public Service Loan Forgiveness : As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https : / / studentaid.gov / pslf / .

Residency Requirement : New York City residency is not required for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity : The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment based on legally protected status or protected characteristics.

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