Staff Counsel

New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is seeking an experienced Staff Counsel to enforce consumer and licensing laws and to litigate before OATH and state court. You will handle investigations, prosecutions, and enforcement plans, while supporting outreach and education initiatives.

Ideal candidates have NYS Bar admission and robust litigation experience, strong research and negotiation skills, and the ability to manage multiple matters with precise regulatory focus.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar is required and must be maintained in good standing.
• One year of satisfactory U.S. legal experience after admission, or six months of service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
• To be assigned to AL II, one year of experience at AL I or two years of comparable legal experience after admission; to AL III, two years at AL I/II or three years total.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and prosecute businesses engaged in illegal conduct for the agency.
• Identify unlawful conduct for potential investigation and litigation and develop investigation plans.
• Oversee regulatory compliance projects and large-scale enforcement plans.
• Perform legal research and draft memoranda on issues facing the agency.
• Draft and negotiate settlement agreements; draft general correspondence and legal documents.
• Conduct depositions and try cases at OATH and state court; participate in outreach and trainings for businesses and the public.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal research

Writing and negotiation

Problem-solving

Time management

Education

Admission to the New York State Bar

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) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

DCWP is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Staff Counsel in the General Counsel Division, to enforce laws that protect NYC consumers and promote the Mayor’s affordability agenda. Staff Counsel will be responsible for initiating, investigating, and litigating cases at the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and New York state court against individuals and businesses that violate New York City’s licensing and consumer protection laws. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Staff Counsel responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Investigate and prosecute businesses engaged in illegal conduct;
• Identify unlawful conduct for potential investigation and litigation and develop investigation plan;
• Oversee regulatory compliance projects of businesses;
• Develop large scale regulatory enforcement plans;
• Perform legal research and draft memorandum on legal issues facing the agency;
• Draft general correspondence and legal documents to respondents, consumers and others;
• Conduct depositions and try cases on behalf of the agency at New York City’s administrative tribunal and state court;
• Draft and negotiate settlement agreements of enforcement proceedings initiated by attorneys

and the agency’s field inspectors; and

• Participate in agency outreach and trainings for business and public education.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for these functions, as well as for special projects and assignments related to consumer or licensee issues or to DCWP’s operations. In addition, as part of these functions, the Staff Counsel is responsible for careful case project management and operational tasks necessary to support and effectuate this work.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Minimum Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
• 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.

Preferred Skills

• Litigation experience, including in New York State courts and at the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) - Demonstrated excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving and time management skills - Proficient in conducting legal research and undertaking factual investigations, including reviewing documents and conducting witness interviews and depositions - Demonstrated excellent legal research, writing skills and negotiation skills - Comfort with data-driven analysis and strategic planning - Attention to detail - Able to interact effectively with multi-functional teams comprised of attorney and non-attorney staff - Able to effectively manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines - References that can confirm legal skills and - Experience and knowledge in consumer protection laws, administrative law, and/or false advertising litigation is preferred, but not required.

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.