Associate General Counsel

Justia, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Justia, Inc. in New York City seeks an Associate General Counsel to provide litigation and general legal support, interpret laws, and assist with administrative proceedings. The role requires NYS bar admission and 3–5+ years of legal experience.

The candidate should demonstrate a commitment to public service, excellent research and communication skills, and knowledge of NYC government structures. Immigration law experience and English/Spanish bilingualism are a plus.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of legal experience.
• Commitment to public service and the Public Advocate's mission.
• Excellent research, organizational, analytical, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of NYC government structure and NYS/NYC government matters; familiarity with NYC Charter, Administrative Code and Rules.
• Ability to prioritize and exercise good judgment in confidential matters.
• Experience working with diverse communities.
• Reliable, conscientious and a team player.
• Prior experience in Immigration law preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide litigation and general legal support to the Deputy and General Counsel.
• Research and interpret laws, statutes, rules, regulations.
• Respond to legal inquiries from staff on NYC local and administrative law.
• Assist with administrative proceedings.
• Research and monitor legal issues affecting NYC residents on federal, state and city matters.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on legal and policy matters related to education, opportunity, housing equity, immigration, infrastructure and environmental justice, and public safety.
• Serve as FOIL Officer and manage FOIL requests.
• Handle other matters in the General Counsel’s Office as assigned.

Skills

Legal research

Organizational skills

Analytical abilities

Written and verbal communication

Public service mindset

Team player

Knowledge of NYC government

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Admitted NYS Bar

Job description

Job Description

The Public Advocate, an independently elected public official, serves as a direct link between city government and residents, acting as a 'watchdog' for New Yorkers. The Public Advocate is a non-voting member of the New York City Council, an ex officio member of all Council committees and introduces and co-sponsors legislation. The Public Advocate serves on various City committees and appoints members to several boards and commissions. The Office of the New York City Public Advocate reviews and investigates residents’ complaints about City services and administrative actions, assists people having difficulty receiving City services, assesses whether City agencies are responsive to the public, and recommends legislative or policy proposals to address identified service deficiencies.

The Office of the New York City Public Advocate is seeking to fill an Associate General Counsel position in its Office of the General Counsel. Applicants must be admitted to the New York State bar.

Principal Duties:

• -Providing litigation and general legal support to the Deputy and General Counsel;
• -Researching and interpreting laws, statutes, rules, regulations;
• -Responding to legal inquiries from staff on New York City local and administrative law;
• -Assisting with administrative proceedings;
• -Researching and monitoring a wide variety of legal issues relating to Federal, New York State and New York City legal and legislative matters that seek to address critical issues impacting NYC residents;
• -Consulting and collaborating with internal and external partners, including advocates, experts, government officials, and others on legal and policy matters relating to - education and opportunity, employment, healthy equity, housing equity, immigration, infrastructure and environmental justice, and justice and public safety;
• -Serving as Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Officer, which includes managing and responding to FOIL requests;
• -Handling other matters in the General Counsel’s Office as may be assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

• -3 - 5+ years of legal experience.
• -Demonstrated commitment to public service and to the mission and vision of the Public Advocate.
• -Excellent research, organizational, analytical, written and verbal communication skills.
• -Strong knowledge about New York City government structure and its agencies and NYS/NYC state/local government matters. Familiarity with the New York City Charter, Administrative Code and Rules of New York City.
• -Ability to rapidly prioritize as well as execute while demonstrating good judgment in confidential and complex matters.
• -Experience working with diverse communities.
• -Reliable, conscientious and a team player.
• -Ability to establish effective working relationships.
• -Prior experience in Immigration law is preferred for this position.
• -Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency is a plus.

LEGAL COUNSEL - 30166

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.