Senior Staff Counsel

Justia; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) seeks an Agency Attorney to develop and pursue litigation addressing deceptive and unfair practices. You will lead investigations, prepare cases for trial, and engage with consumers and regulated businesses to obtain settlements, while supervising junior staff and collaborating across agency divisions.

Ideal candidates have NY Bar admission, strong litigation experience, and a creative approach to public interest enforcement

Qualifications

• Must be admitted to the New York State Bar and remain in good standing.
• One year of US legal experience after admission, or six months as Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
• To be assigned to higher assignments, each level requires progression or comparable experience.
• Positions may require familiarity with agency litigation in Supreme Court or OATH.

Responsibilities

• Make initial determinations and plan investigations; lead litigation or enforcement actions.
• Prepare cases for trial; secure evidence, depose witnesses, and draft filings.
• Communicate with consumers, opposing counsel, and regulated businesses to advance investigations and settlements.
• Recommend whether to file cases in Supreme Court or OATH; pursue settlements when appropriate.
• Try cases before adjudicatory bodies and negotiate outcomes when possible.
• Serve as SME on agency-regulated areas, including employment agencies.
• Coordinate with other government entities and agency divisions.
• Enforce a broad set of laws within the agency’s jurisdiction.
• Supervise junior attorneys and support staff as needed.

Skills

Litigation

Legal Research

Investigation Strategy

Oral Advocacy

Education

NY State Bar admission

Job description

Job Description

**This position may be eligible for remote work for up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Flexible Work Pilot Program. **

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses nearly 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strides to create a culture of compliance. DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City's communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The General Counsel Division is seeking an experienced attorney with a strong sense of justice and bold and creative ideas on how to utilize our authority to protect consumers. The Senior Staff Counsel will be responsible for developing and investigating cases and pursuing litigation to address systemic issues involving violations of New York City's deceptive and unfair practices statute.

Specifically, the Senior Staff Counsel will:

• Make initial determinations and recommendations as to potential targets for investigations; determine legal theories and plans for investigations, and implement them effectively; and lead resulting litigation or enforcement actions to successful resolution, including by engaging in settlement discussions on behalf of the agency.
• Prepare cases for trial by securing and preparing evidence and conferring with witnesses, lead all phases of litigation including conducting depositions and document discovery, examining and cross-examining witnesses, conducting oral arguments before the New York State Supreme Court or OATH, and drafting legal documents needed during the various stages of litigation.
• Engage in communications with consumers, opposing counsel, and regulated businesses in order to advance investigations, enforce regulations, and resolve violations and litigation via settlement.
• Recommend whether cases should be filed and litigated in Supreme Court or OATH, resolved informally or through settlements; and negotiate settlements as appropriate.
• Try cases before appropriate adjudicatory bodies.
• Act as a subject matter expert on specific areas of law in which the agency is the primary regulator or licensor, including employment agencies, to protect the interests of job-seeking New Yorkers;
• Confer with other government agencies and Agency divisions.
• Participate in enforcing a variety of laws within the agency’s jurisdiction.
• Supervise more junior attorneys and legal support staff, as necessary.

The ideal candidate will be capable of working in teams, with both attorney and non-attorney staff, and will perform ad hoc tasks as required. The ideal candidate will also have substantive litigation experience, an interest in consumer protection, and an ability to use inventive and creative approaches to impactful litigation.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Qualifications

• 1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• 2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
• 3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
• Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
• In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
• To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
• To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

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.