Agency Attorney

Justia, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision coverage

Paid annual leave

Paid sick leave

Pension

Deferred compensation

IRA

Flexible spending account

Job summary

Justia is representing the New York City Police Department in filling an Agency Attorney II role in the FOIL Unit. The position analyzes and responds to FOIL requests, retrieves records from department databases, and applies redactions in accordance with applicable laws.

Reporting to the Records Access Officer and Director, FOIL Matters, you will liaise with executives, participate in proceedings in New York State Supreme Court, and assist in supervising the unit, including coverage during

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• One year of US legal experience after admission or six months as Agency Attorney Intern (30086).
• Must remain a member of the NY State Bar in good standing for the duration.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and intake FOIL requests from the public, law firms, media, research students, advocacy groups, and other nonprofits.
• Retrieve records from Department databases and NYPD commands.
• Examine responsive records and apply redactions in accordance with applicable laws.
• Act as liaison with agency executives on significant and/or newsworthy requests.
• Represent the Department in special proceedings in NY State Supreme Court to compel disclosure of records exempt from disclosure.
• Assist in supervising the unit, including covering for other legal staff in emergencies and reviewing work.

Skills

NY State Bar

US legal experience

Job description

Job Description

The mission of the New York City Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in New York City by working in partnership with the community to enforce the law, preserve peace, protect the people, reduce fear, and maintain order. The New York City Police Department strives to foster a safe and fair city through the strategic deployment of resources, focusing on both crime prevention and addressing quality-of-life concerns while building lasting community relationships.

The Legal Bureau provides legal guidance to the Police Department and is responsible for advising all members of the Department on all legal matters affecting the Department, including major civil litigation and important judicial developments. The Bureau monitors and facilitates the relationship between the Department and the rest of the criminal justice system and assists members of the service in interpreting and enforcing state, federal, and local laws; ensures that the policies and practices of the department are lawful and are fairly applied; and develops legislation in accordance with the needs of the Department and public safety concerns.

The Legal Bureau's Freedom of Information Law ("FOIL") Unit Is responsible for analyzing and responding to FOIL requests from members of the public and media outlets for Department records, policies, statistics and procedures. The primary duties of personnel assigned to the FOIL Unit are to identify, locate, redact. and produce various Department records, including highly sensitive and confidential materials, in response to requests.

Reporting directly to the Records Access Officer and the Director, FOIL Matters, the Agency Attorney II will:

• Analyze and intake FOIL requests from the public. Including law firms, media outlets, research students. Advocacy groups, and other non-profit organizations, for NYPD records and data.
• Retrieve records from Department databases and various NYPD commands.
• Examine responsive records and apply appropriate redactions in accordance with all applicable laws.
• Act as liaison with executives within the agency concerning significant and/or newsworthy requests.
• Represent the Department's interests in special proceedings in New York State Supreme Court wherein petitioners seek to compel the Department to disclose records exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law.
• Assist in the overall supervision of the unit, including filling in for other legal staff in emergency situations, and reviewing work of the Unit.

Additional Information: In compliance with Federal Law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

The City of New York offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance for the employee and his or her spouse or domestic partner and unemancipated children under age 26, union benefits such as dental and vision coverage, paid annual leave and sick leave, paid holidays, a pension, and optional savings and pre-tax programs such as Deferred Compensation, IRA, and a flexible spending account.

Work Location: 375 Pearl Street, N.Y.

Hours/Shift: Business Hours

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Qualifications

1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.

2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or

3. 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.

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.

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.