Associate Counsel

NYC Campaign Finance Board; New York (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYC Campaign Finance Board seeks an Agency Attorney to enforce New York City campaign finance laws, provide legal research, analysis, and writing for the general counsel’s office, and support enforcement actions against campaigns and independent spenders.

You will draft rules and advisory opinions, represent the agency in hearings and investigations, and advise on records retention, FOIL, privacy, procurement, and contracting matters. Strong written and oral advocacy are required.

Qualifications

• Law degree and admission to the New York state bar required (candidates with pending admission status may be considered).
• One year of legal experience.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute enforcement actions against campaigns and independent spenders.
• Appear before the Campaign Finance Board regarding complaints and investigations; draft determinations; issue penalty recommendations.
• Represent the agency in administrative hearings, collection actions, and Article 78 proceedings.
• Draft and analyze rules, legislation, and advisory opinions.
• Conduct legal research and draft memoranda; advise on records retention, FOIL, privacy, and contracting procedures.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Oral advocacy

multitask and time management

Professional communication

Education

Juris Doctor / Law degree

Admission to NY State Bar

Job description

About The Campaign Finance Board

The Campaign Finance Board is a nonpartisan, independent city agency that empowers New Yorkers to have a greater impact on their elections. Our mission is to make local democracy more open, transparent, and equitable by removing barriers to participation.

We make it easier for New Yorkers to vote, meaningfully support candidates for city office, and run for office themselves. NYC Votes, our voter engagement initiative, meets people where they are to share trustworthy election information and help New Yorkers make a plan to vote. We publish the citywide Voter Guide, which delivers information about candidates directly to voters’ doors. Our public matching funds program ensures small contributions can make a big difference, allowing regular people to run for office by relying on the support of other regular people, not just wealthy donors and special interests. And we lift the veil on how candidates raise and spend money, increasing transparency and accountability in local government.

We believe that when every New Yorker is empowered to participate meaningfully in elections, candidates will better reflect the communities they serve, elected leaders will be more accountable to the public, and New Yorkers will have a democracy they can truly trust.

About The Unit

The Legal unit's staff advise on campaign finance law, election law, employment and labor law, contracting and procurement law, conflict of interest laws, and litigation involving the CFB. They engage in work including but not limited to administrative law enforcement, litigation, and policy development. The unit serves as legal representation of the agency in litigation and employment matters, and as legal advisors supporting the agency’s programmatic work.

Job Description

This role is primarily focused on enforcement of New York City’s campaign finance laws and rules, and includes opportunities for legal research, analysis, and writing related to the functions of the general counsel’s office.

The responsibilities and tasks to be completed in this role include, but are not limited to:

• Prosecuting enforcement actions against campaigns and independent spenders;


• Appear before the 5-member Campaign Finance Board regarding formal and informal complaints and/or investigations, which includes the review and analysis of all submissions by adversaries; draft administrative determinations; issue recommendations on civil penalties and other appropriate enforcement actions; meet and correspond with campaigns regarding enforcement matters;


• Representing the agency in administrative hearings, collection actions, and Article 78 proceedings;


• Drafting and analyzing rules, legislation, and advisory opinions;


• Conducting research and drafting memoranda in response to legal inquiries; and


• Providing legal counsel to the agency on matters relating to records retention, freedom of information, privacy and identifying information compliance, procurement and contracting procedures, and other areas of law as needed.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER BEHAVIORS (KSAOs)

We’re seeking individuals eager to make an impact, even if they don’t tick every box on our job description. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives and the unique blend of lived experiences, non-traditional education pathways, practical know-how, and a variety of skills and abilities that each candidate brings to the table. If you’re ready to learn and grow with us, we encourage you to apply and be part of our dynamic team.

Knowledge

• Law degree and admission to the New York state bar required (candidates with pending admission status may be considered);


• One year of legal experience.

Skills

• Excellent legal research, legal writing, and analytical skills;


• Excellent oral communication and advocacy;


• Ability to multitask, organize, prioritize, and manage time effectively;


• Ability to engage with external parties in a professional and empathetic manner;


• Diligence and attention to detail;


• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a small team.

Abilities

• Prosecute enforcement actions against campaigns and independent spenders;


• Make presentations before the 5-member Campaign Finance Board regarding formal and informal complaints and/or investigations, which includes the review and analysis of all submissions by adversaries; draft administrative determinations; issue recommendations on civil penalties and other appropriate enforcement actions; meet and correspond with campaigns regarding enforcement matters;


• Represent the agency in administrative hearings, collection actions, Article 78 proceedings, and other litigation matters as necessary;


• Draft and analyze rules, legislation, and advisory opinions;


• Conduct research and draft memoranda regarding the law and policy; and


• Provide legal counsel to the agency on matters relating to records retention, privacy and identifying information compliance, procurement and contracting procedures, employment law, freedom of information law, conflicts of interest, and other areas as necessary.

Other Characteristics

• Ability to present detailed legal arguments in an administrative hearing;


• Creativity, teamwork, and empathy;


• Demonstrated interest in public service and commitment to the CFB’s mission.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Minimum Qualifications

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


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


• 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.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in NYC government, election law, campaign finance or a related field


• Experience in administrative law and/or regulatory enforcement


• Experience in legislation and regulation

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 https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

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.