Assistant Counsel

Justia; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of New York invites applications for Executive Agency Counsel – 95005 in the Mayor’s Office. The role supports senior policymakers by researching laws, providing legal analysis, and guiding transparency initiatives to uphold integrity and efficiency across city agencies.

You’ll manage a large portfolio, draft and negotiate contracts, and advise on employment and ethics matters. NY Bar admission and 4+ years in a high‑stakes legal role are typical prerequisites; excellence in analytical

Qualifications

• Attorney admitted to the New York State Bar.
• 1+ years of relevant legal experience in civil rights, government service, private practice, or prosecution.
• Experience or demonstrated ability in policy, ethics, or transparency work is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Researching local, state, and federal laws, court decisions, legal authorities, and other legal documents.
• Providing policy guidance and legal analysis to City Hall staff to advance mayoral initiatives.
• Working with senior administration officials on transparency projects, including compliance with FOIL.
• Analyzing conflicts, ethics, and privacy questions for the Mayor’s Office, including outside activities and gift requests.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, releases, licenses, and other agreements for the Mayor’s Office.
• Providing legal analysis to the Mayor’s Office staff in employment, EEO, and conflict matters.
• Acting as a City Hall policy advisor to agencies reporting to the Chief Counsel.
• Reviewing and making legal judgments about sensitive material.

Skills

Analytical ability

Strong communication

Team player

Public service commitment

Job description

The Agency You’ll Join:

The New York City Mayor’s Office is responsible for overseeing city services throughout the five boroughs, coordinating public agencies and departments, and managing public property. The administration is leading the fight in making the city more affordable, reducing inequality, improving public safety, ensuring delivery of efficient and effective services, and working to make New York City’s economy stronger. We value leadership, transparency, fairness, and efficiency as we actively seek diverse talents from various sectors to join our team.

The Team You’ll Work With:

The Office of the Chief Counsel to the Mayor and City Hall provides legal and strategic guidance to the Mayor and senior policymakers in City Hall on a broad range of matters, including policy, planning, litigation, legislation, compliance, ethics, and transparency. Alongside several other initiatives and functions, the Chief Counsel to the Mayor also supervises and coordinates the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (including the Environmental Control Board), the Mayor’s Office of Risk Management and Compliance, and the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary, in addition to liaising with and reviewing the activities of the Conflicts of Interest Board.

The Problems You’ll Solve:

The Office of the Chief Counsel to the Mayor and City Hall is seeking a dynamic, public service-minded attorney to work closely with senior policymakers. The Assistant Counsel will report to the Chief of Staff and the Chief Counsel.

Key tasks will include:

• Researching local, state, and federal laws, court decisions, legal authorities, and other legal documents.
• Providing policy guidance and legal analysis to City Hall staff to advance mayoral initiatives.
• Working with senior administration officials on various transparency projects, including compliance with the Freedom of Information Law.
• Analyzing conflicts, ethics, and privacy questions for the Mayor’s Office, including outside activities and gift requests.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, releases, licenses, and other agreements on behalf of the Mayor’s Office.
• Providing legal analysis to the Mayor’s Office staff in employment, EEO, and conflict matters.
• Acting as a City Hall policy advisor to the agencies reporting to the Chief Counsel.
• Reviewing and making legal judgments about sensitive material.

About You:

• You have excellent analytical ability and practical judgment.
• You can independently manage a large portfolio of work while balancing many simultaneous priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• You have strong and concise communication skills.
• You have commitment to public service.
• You can demonstrate the ability to be a team player in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• You have a dedication to client service and a willingness to be responsive.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• You are an attorney admitted to the New York State Bar.
• 1+ years of relevant legal experience, including, but not limited to, civil rights, criminal defense, government service, private practice, and/or prosecutorial experience.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

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

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.