Associate Counsel - VID 225966

State of New York; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 66,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) seeks an Associate Counsel reporting to a Deputy Counsel to support licensing, compliance, and enforcement efforts. The role provides legal support to OCM’s portfolios, drafts legislation and regulations, and supervises attorneys and legal assistants.

This position involves meetings, clear communication, and adapting to Cannabis Law developments; travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar and four years of professional legal experience.
• Resumes must include month and year for start and end dates.
• If any experience is less than full time, indicate the average hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Support licensing, compliance, and enforcement efforts for OCM.
• Provide legal support to OCM’s portfolios as directed by Deputy Counsel.
• Draft and review legislation and regulations; supervise attorneys and staff.
• Attend meetings, communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties assigned by General Counsel or deputies.

Job description

Reporting to a Deputy Counsel, the Associate Counsel will support the Office of General Counsel’s (OGC) licensing, compliance, and/or enforcement efforts. The Associate Counsel will be responsible for legal support to OCM’s assigned portfolios, as directed by the Deputy Counsel, assisting with the review and drafting of legislation and regulations, and managing those assigned portfolios. The Associate Counsel will be responsible for supervising attorneys and legal assistants within OGC in furtherance of these responsibilities. The Associate Counsel will also be expected to attend meetings as needed, communicate well internally and externally, and be comfortable in the evolving field of Cannabis Law. Other duties may be assigned as appropriate.

• $57.70/hour

Duties

Reporting to a Deputy Counsel, the Associate Counsel will support the Office of General Counsel’s (OGC) licensing, compliance, and/or enforcement efforts. The Associate Counsel will be responsible for legal support to OCM’s assigned portfolios, as directed by the Deputy Counsel, assisting with the review and drafting of legislation and regulations, and managing those assigned portfolios. The Associate Counsel will be responsible for supervising attorneys and legal assistants within OGC in furtherance of these responsibilities. The Associate Counsel will also be expected to attend meetings as needed, communicate well internally and externally, and be comfortable in the evolving field of Cannabis Law. Other duties may be assigned as appropriate.

Duties include but may not be limited to:

• Work in conjunction with attorneys, paralegals, and administration to create a framework and streamline administrative processes.
• Represent OCM in administrative hearings concerning compliance and licensing matters.
• Train Senior Attorneys or Assistant Counsels, as needed, to represent OCM in administrative hearings.
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda with opinions, citations, and legal precedents in support of OCM and Cannabis Control Board (CCB) programs.
• Provide legal counsel, advice, and strategies in support of OCM and CCB.
• Respond to requests arising from interaction with the public, including reviewing and developing FAQ’s and other guidance affecting licensees and related stakeholders.
• Draft formal and informal comments on licensing, compliance, and enforcement legislation affecting OCM.
• Recommend revisions to existing laws and regulations affecting licensing and compliance matters in particular.
• Assist as necessary with preparation and finalization of rules and regulations in support of OCM’s and CCB’s business units, including processing in accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act.
• Full range of supervisory function and responsibility, including reviewing/approving timecards, conducting performance reviews, and providing guidance and mentorship to subordinate staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel, the First Deputy Counsel, or the supervising Deputy Counsel.

Salary

• $57.70/hour

Qualifications

Admission to, and member in good standing of, the New York State Bar and four years of subsequent professional legal experience.

NOTE: IN ORDER TO AWARD THE PROPER CREDIT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE, RESUMES MUST INCLUDE MONTH AND YEAR FOR START AND END DATES. IF ANY OF THIS EXPERIENCE IS LESS THAN FULL TIME YOU MUST INDICATE THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED PER WEEK.

Other Information

NOTE:

• Travel may be required (approximately 10%), including during evening and weekends, depending on mission and assignment.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Driver’s License issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicle is required or otherwise demonstrate the capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job.

Please note: these positions are part-time in nature, anticipated 20-25 hours per week. Specific schedule questions can be discussed at the time of interview.

The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is an equal opportunity employer, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants from all communities to apply. For a full version of OCM’s EEO/AA statement and benefits of joining OCM, please visit: About | Office of Cannabis Management (ny.gov). NYS Office of Cannabis Management does not participate in E-Verify and does not sponsor visa applications.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.