Assistant Unit Chief, Special Litigation Unit, Tort Division

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 122,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of New York’s Law Department seeks an Assistant Unit Chief for the Tort Division's Special Litigation Unit. The role emphasizes training, supervision, and evaluation of attorneys, support staff, and interns. You will oversee meetings, court appearances, deadlines, and calendars across all five boroughs and beyond, with opportunities to handle a small caseload.

Candidates should have a J.D. from an ABA-accredited school and be admitted to NYS, SDNY, and EDNY in good standing.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and admission in good standing with NYS Bar, SDNY, and EDNY.
• Municipal-tort related legal experience and strong organizational, managerial, and supervisory abilities.
• Strong legal analytical skills, knowledge of municipal tort law, CPLR, evidentiary issues, and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Train, supervise, and evaluate attorneys, staff, interns, and programs.
• Appear at in-person meetings and virtual court appearances across 5 boroughs and outside NYC as needed.
• Draft papers, manage deadlines, and maintain calendars and reports.
• Identify expert witnesses and assist with settlements and communications with court personnel and agencies.
• Utilize calendaring and Law Department tools; possibly handle a small caseload to develop supervisory and litigation skills.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Legal research and analysis

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Tools

Electronic calendaring

Management programs

Case management software

Job description

Job Description

The New York City Law Department is seeking applicants for the position of Assistant Unit Chief in the Tort Division’s Special Litigation Unit. The Special Litigation Unit handles tort cases that present the most high-profile and highest-financial exposure to the City. The Assistant Unit Chief is responsible for the training, supervision, and evaluation of attorneys, support staff, interns, and programs. They oversee and appear at in-person meetings and virtual court appearances in all 5 boroughs, SDNY, EDNY, and courts outside the City of New York, as necessary. They also draft papers, ensure timely compliance with deadlines and appearances, and prepare and maintain various calendars, reports, databases, and more. The Assistant Unit Chief regularly evaluates office processes and recommends and implements changes to promote efficiency, productivity, and quality. They also identify and retain expert witnesses, assist with recommendations for settlements, and communicate with senior court personnel, Comptroller’s representatives, City agencies, and other agencies. Assistant Unit Chiefs also learn and utilize electronic calendaring, management programs, and all pertinent Law Department tools and technology. The Assistant Unit Chief may handle a small caseload through all phases of litigation. This position provides attorneys with opportunities to develop their supervisory and litigation skills. The role is particularly suited for attorneys seeking meaningful public service, particularly while supervising others in state and federal practice on high profile matters.

Salary Information

• For 0–5 years of legal experience: $ 87,737–$122,300
• For 5-10 years of legal experience: $122,300-137,188
• For 10-15 years of legal experience: $137,188-$159,521
• For 15-20 years of legal experience: $159,521-$180,791
• For 20+ years of legal experience: $180,791-$188,235

Work From Home Options

1. Flexible Remote Work: Allows limited, irregular work from home days.
2. Citywide Pilot Program: Allows attorneys to work remotely on two set days per week, subject to Division approval and staffing needs. Participants must maintain a single designated remote work location, and in person obligations take precedence over scheduled remote days. This pilot is currently being tested across City agencies and is not yet permanent.

Qualifications

The Tort Division is dedicated to providing outstanding legal advocacy. Accordingly, candidates must have a J.D. from an ABA accredited law school and be admitted and in good standing with the New York State Bar, Southern District of New York, and Eastern District of New York. Applicants should have substantial municipal-tort-related legal experience, demonstrated exceptional organizational, managerial, and supervisory abilities, strong legal analytical skills, solid knowledge of municipal tort law, the CPLR, and evidentiary issues, knowledge of and experience in personal-injury-case evaluation and valuation of injuries, strong negotiation skills, and excellent interpersonal skills and judgment. Assistant Unit Chiefs also learn and utilize electronic calendaring, management programs, and all pertinent Law Department tools and technology.

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.