FOIL Records Access Counsel – Open Records Expert

Office-of-the-Comptroller; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Comptroller’s Office seeks an Agency Attorney Interne/Attorney specializing in FOIL. This role sits in the Office of General Counsel and advises on FOIL, open records, and related legal matters for the City’s agencies.

Responsibilities include gathering records, reviewing FOIL requests, performing legal research, and advising senior stakeholders on record collection and processing systems. NYS Bar admission is required to qualify for this civil service position.

Qualifications

• Admitted to the New York State Bar; and either one year of U.S. legal experience after admission or six months as Agency Attorney Interne.
• Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
• To be assigned to Assignment Level II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience after admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
• To be assigned to Assignment Level III, candidates must have two years of experience at Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience after admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

Responsibilities

• Identify custodians and collect records in response to FOIL requests; assess and gather responsive documentation
• Review FOIL requests and responses; accurate redaction of exempt information
• Perform legal research; draft well-reasoned legal guidance related to FOIL issues
• Proactively track and comply with statutory deadlines; maintain FOIL spreadsheet; highlight FOILs of interest for Press
• Prepare regular reports of FOIL request traffic
• Serve as advisor on technical needs of FOIL processes including evaluation of processing systems and advising on potential new technology to maintain best in class FOIL compliance
• Provide guidance and direction to FOIL liaisons for purposes of document collection; serve as principal advisor/analyst to senior level stakeholders on matters involving collection of records
• Perform other related duties as may be required

Skills

FOIL knowledge

FOIA experience

Legal research

Attention to detail

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Tools

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Purview

Westlaw

Lexis

Job description

The New York City Comptroller’s Office seeks an Agency Attorney Interne/Attorney specializing in FOIL. This role sits in the Office of General Counsel and advises on FOIL, open records, and related legal matters for the City’s agencies.

Responsibilities include gathering records, reviewing FOIL requests, performing legal research, and advising senior stakeholders on record collection and processing systems. NYS Bar admission is required to qualify for this civil service position.