Staff Counsel Jobs

***To Apply: Email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the Job ID number and Position Name in the subject line.***

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 more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and 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. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

DCWP is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as a Staff Counsel within the General Counsel Division, primarily focusing on investigation, enforcement, and litigation surrounding the City’s tobacco laws and initiatives. This individual will work closely with the Agency’s Licensing, Finance and Enforcement Divisions, and may serve as a point of contact with the office of the New York City Corporation Counsel, and other relevant agencies, as necessary. This position will also draft, edit and/or review tobacco-related laws and rules, and may help design and participate in outreach events.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review and edit Licensing and outreach materials; and
• Participate in agency outreach and trainings for business and public education.
• Oversee industry-wide regulatory compliance projects;
• Draft general correspondence and legal documents;
• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements;
• Review license applications and conduct arm’s length transaction analysis;
• Investigate and prosecute businesses engaged in illegal conduct;
• Draft orders authorizing the sealing of businesses engaged in illegal conduct related to the City’s tobacco laws;
• Develop and draft proposed agency rules;
• Draft summonses and complaints, and represent the Agency before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and in State Court in matters concerning the enforcement of the City’s tobacco laws;
• Undertake legal research and draft memorandum on legal issues facing the agency;

The ideal candidate will be responsible for these functions, as well as for special projects and assignments related to consumer or licensee issues or to DCWP’s operations. In addition, as part of these functions, the Staff Counsel is responsible for careful case project management and operational tasks necessary to support and effectuate this work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

In addition to meeting the minimum 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

• Project management experience or the desire to gain project management experience
• Demonstrated excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving and time management skills
• Proficient in conducting legal research and undertaking factual investigations, including reviewing documents and conducting witness interviews and depositions
• Able to effectively interact with multi-functional teams comprised of attorney and non-attorney staff
• References that can confirm legal skills.
• Litigation experience
• Comfort with data-driven analysis and strategic planning
• Able to effectively manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines and
• Demonstrated excellent legal research, writing skills and negotiation skills

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 a href="https://studentaid.gov/pslf/", target="_blank"u StudentAid.gov/PSLF/u/a.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

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.