Lead Attorney – General Counsel

Internal Revenue Service; New York (NY); Remote; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Internal Revenue Service seeks a Lead Attorney to act as the General Counsel for the New York State Commission on Reparations. This role involves managing a legal team and providing strategic legal guidance in examining slavery's legacy and developing reparative policies. Candidates should hold a Juris Doctor and have extensive experience in civil rights law.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar is required.
• Minimum of 5 years in civil rights law, policy advocacy, or government affairs.
• Experience drafting legislation and navigating complex legal frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Commission’s General Counsel and lead all legal activities.
• Draft legal language for reparative policies and programs.
• Advise on the creation of frameworks for reparations.

Skills

Civil rights law

Legislative analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Drafting legislation

Policy advocacy

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Position Title:Lead Attorney – General Counsel
Engagement Type:Consulting (Contractor)
Location:Remote with travel across New York State as needed
Estimated Hours:500 hours over 12 months
Reports To:Executive Director

Role Summary:

The Lead Attorney will serve as the principal legal advisor to the NYSCCRR, managing the legal team and providing strategic legal guidance to support the Commission’s mission to examine the legacy of slavery in New York and recommend reparative policies. This role requires deep expertise in civil rights law, legislative analysis, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Commission’s General Counsel and lead all legal activities.
  
• Ensure compliance with NYS and federal legal frameworks.
  
• Draft legal language for reparative policies, programs, and proposed legislation.
  
• Analyze existing laws and identify legal barriers to implementation.
  
• Collaborate with historians, policy analysts, and economists to interpret findings.
  
• Advise on the creation of administrative or legislative frameworks for reparations.
  
• Represent the legal team in meetings with elected officials, agencies, and community stakeholders.
  
• Support public engagement efforts, including hearings and forums.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
  
• Admission to the New York State Bar.
  
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in civil rights law, policy advocacy, or government affairs.
  
• Demonstrated experience drafting legislation and navigating complex legal frameworks.
  
• Familiarity with reparative justice, systemic inequities, and the NYS Reparations Bill (S1163A).
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience advising commissions, task forces, or public bodies.
  
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.