Senior Counsel, Policy

OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice in New York City seeks a Senior Counsel to provide legal, policy, strategic, and operational guidance across MOCJ initiatives and programs. The role requires independent work and collaboration to identify issues, develop practical solutions, and manage legal risk in a fast-paced environment.

The Senior Counsel will analyze legislation, lead initiative development, coordinate with District Attorneys, the Department of Correction, Probation, and other partners,

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar and four years of recent legal experience following admission, including at least 18 months supervising other attorneys in admin/exec capacity.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate legal, policy, and operational issues affecting MOCJ and the public, including benefits, risks, and unintended consequences.
• Analyze pending criminal justice legislation for feasibility, impact, and potential consequences.
• Lead and support the development and operationalization of criminal justice initiatives aligned with the Administration’s agenda.
• Coordinate with District Attorneys, indigent defense providers, the Department of Correction, the Department of Probation, and other partners to implement citywide solutions.
• Analyze criminal case-processing and crime data to inform strategies for improving case processing and public safety.
• Provide senior-level legal, strategic, and operational support across MOCJ portfolios, especially on time-sensitive or sensitive matters.
• Research, develop, manage, and execute policy projects independently and collaboratively.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with institutional and government stakeholders.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned based on team and agency needs.

Skills

NYC Criminal Court operations

Criminal law experience

Court attorney experience

Policy analysis

Stakeholder management

Job description

ABOUT THE OFFICE: The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) advises the Mayor of the City of New York on criminal justice policy. MOCJ develops and implements strategies, with partners inside and outside government, to reduce crime and incarceration and to promote fairness and legitimacy. MOCJ works with law enforcement, city agencies, non‑profits, foundations, and others to implement data‑driven strategies that address current crime conditions, prevent offending, and build the strong neighborhoods that ensure enduring safety.

ABOUT THE ROLE: Reporting to the Deputy Director for Policy & Justice Operations, the Senior Counsel will provide legal, policy, strategic, and operational guidance on MOCJ initiatives and programs.

The Senior Counsel must be a highly effective self‑starter who can work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment. The role requires the ability to identify challenges within the criminal justice system, develop practical solutions, anticipate legal and operational risks, and build stakeholder consensus to advance Administration priorities and improve the efficiency and fairness of New York City’s criminal justice system.

The Senior Counsel responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Evaluate legal, policy, and operational issues affecting MOCJ, the City, and the public, including potential benefits, risks, and unintended consequence.
• Analyze pending criminal justice legislation, including its feasibility, impact on City agencies and the public, potential unintended consequences, and opportunities for misuse.
• Lead and support the development and operationalization of criminal justice initiatives and programs aligned with the Administration’s agenda.
• Support the Deputy Director for Policy & Justice Operations and First Deputy Director in coordinating with criminal justice agencies and stakeholders, including District Attorneys, indigent defense providers, the Department of Correction, the Department of Probation, and other partners necessary to implement citywide solutions.
• Analyze criminal case-processing and crime data, including arrests, detention, and pending criminal court cases, to inform strategies that improve case processing and public safety.
• Provide senior-level legal, strategic, and operational support across MOCJ portfolios, particularly on complex, time-sensitive, or politically sensitive matters.
• Research, develop, manage, and execute policy projects independently and collaboratively.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with institutional and government stakeholders.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned based on team and agency needs.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Minimum Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Preferred Skills

• Deep knowledge of the operations of New York City Criminal Court and New York State Supreme Court, Criminal Term, across the five boroughs.
• Seven or more years of experience prosecuting or defending criminal or juvenile delinquency matters or serving as a court attorney in New York City.

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.