Assistant Counsel

New York State Gaming Commission; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 98,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York State Gaming Commission seeks an Assistant Counsel to support its mission by handling adjudicatory proceedings, collaborating with the AG's office, and advising staff on gaming law issues.

Reporting to the Deputy Counsel, the role provides training through mentoring, opportunities to draft contracts, legislation, and policies, and exposure to diverse regulatory areas within gaming and pari-mutuel wagering.

Qualifications

• Admitted to, and a member in good standing of, the New York State Bar
• At least two years of experience in the practice of law
• Excellent legal analysis, research, and writing skills
• Strong organizational, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills
• Comfort with and experience using technology to complete legal work, including knowledge of and experience with PC applications, such as Microsoft Office, and legal research platforms (currently using LEXIS)
• Meticulous attention to detail and quality control

Responsibilities

• Represent the Commission in adjudicatory proceedings and litigation
• Collaborate with AG's Office, local DAs, and outside counsel on civil actions, criminal prosecutions, and IP
• Assist with investigations and special projects for Counsel’s Office or the Commission
• Advise staff and the Commission on legal and topical issues in regulated gaming
• Draft contracts, agreements, and memoranda
• Analyze and draft legislation, rules, regulations, and policies
• Examine compliance with Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law, SAPA, Tax Law, GBL, GML, and Commission regs
• Assist with FOIL responses

Skills

Legal analysis

Research

Writing

Organizational skills

Interpersonal communication

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Technology proficiency

Education

Juris Doctorate degree

Tools

LEXIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)

Salary Range From $ 97,874 to $123715 Annually

Employment TypeFull-Time

Appointment Type: Temporary

Internship: No

Jurisdictional Class: Exempt Class

Travel Percentage: 5%

Looking for a change in pace from the ordinary and mundane? The New York State Gaming Commission seeks a skilled and motivated Assistant Counsel to actively support the Commission’s exciting and important mission to ensure that all lawful gaming and horse racing activity conducted in this State is of the highest integrity, credibility, and quality. The Commission is the State’s regulatory body over all forms of gaming conducted within the State, with varied responsibilities including operation of the $10 billion-per-year New York Lottery and regulation of commercial casinos, mobile sports wagering, Indian casinos, video lottery gaming, interactive fantasy sports, charitable gaming, and horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering in New York State.

Prior experience in general litigation is ideal, but prior work in the gaming industry is not required, as substantive training in this interesting, robust, and dynamic area of law is provided to new Assistant Counsels through mentoring and hands‑on experience. Reporting to the Deputy Counsel, the Assistant Counsel will perform the following duties and tasks as part of the team in Counsel’s Office:

• Represent the Commission in adjudicatory proceedings and litigation;
• Work with the Office of the New York State Attorney General, local District Attorneys, and outside counsel on various issues including civil actions, criminal prosecutions, and intellectual property;
• Assist with investigations and special projects for Counsel’s Office or the Commission;
• Advise Commission staff and the Commission on general legal and topical issues, best practices, and other matters related to all areas of legal gaming that are regulated by the Commission;
• Draft contracts, agreements, and memoranda;
• Analyze and draft legislation, rules, regulations, and policies;
• Examine compliance with the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law, State Administrative Procedure Act, Tax Law, General Business Law, General Municipal Law, and Commission regulations; and
• Assist with responses to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests submitted to the Commission.

Minimum Qualifications

• Admitted to, and a member in good standing of, the New York State Bar
• At least two years of experience in the practice of law
• Excellent legal analysis, research, and writing skills
• Strong organizational, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills
• Comfort with and experience using technology to complete legal work, including knowledge of and experience with PC applications, such as Microsoft Office, and legal research platforms (currently using LEXIS)
• Meticulous attention to detail and quality control

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school
• Strong background in litigation
• Strong analytical and writing skills

Additional Comments: Prohibition against Playing and Wagering:

Commission employees and family members residing in their households are prohibited from purchasing Lottery tickets or claiming Lottery prizes. Commission employees are prohibited from wagering upon any horse racing, commercial gaming, video lottery gaming, Indian gaming, charitable gaming activities, interactive fantasy sports, and mobile sports wagering within the State. To avoid any appearance of impropriety of conflict of interest, Commission employees will be prohibited from all aspects of promoting, operating, and playing in any charitable gaming, which includes bingo and games of chance such as raffles, whether the organization conducting the game is required to be licensed by the Commission. The prohibition placed upon each Commission employee from assisting with any charitable gaming does not apply to the employee's family unless the employee thinks it presents a conflict of interest related to his or her job duties. Commission employees must also avoid any outside activities that could interfere or be perceived to interfere with their job duties.

Pre-Employment Restrictions

The law that established the Commission (specifically, Section 107 or the Racing, Pari-mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law) prohibits any person from being employed by the Commission if, during the period commencing three years prior to employment, such person held any interest in, or employment by, any corporation, association or person engaged in gaming activity with the State.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The NYS Gaming Commission is an equal opportunity employer, does not tolerate discrimination in employment, programs, or activities on any basis protected by federal or state law, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants from all communities to apply. Please direct inquiries to the Office for Equal Opportunity at [e-mail].

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance to fully participate in the application and interview process for the position sought, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will be happy to assist you.