Staff Counsel

Job Description
**This position may be eligible for remote work for up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote 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 strives 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.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The General Counsel Division at DCWP seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Staff Counsel in the Legal Counsel Unit. The Legal Counsel Unit is responsible for providing advice and counsel to DCWP divisions, providing legal support to implement new laws, advising on complex multi-stakeholder license categories, and drafting DCWP contracts and agreements.

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, the Staff Counsel will:
- provide legal advice and guidance to DCWP staff and management on new and existing laws and regulations;
- assist with all aspects of implementing new and amended laws, including drafting rules in accordance with the City’s rulemaking process, and drafting DCWP charges, checklists, and penalty schedules necessary to implement and enforce such laws;
- serve as DCWP’s subject matter expert on issues related to specific industries regulated by DCWP;
- address legal issues arising from DCWP’s licensing, collections and enforcement work;
- draft memoranda, correspondence and other legal documents as necessary;
- communicate with external parties, including licensees, complainants, stakeholders, and sister agencies; and,
- as needed, assist with other assignments within the General Counsel Division, which may include drafting contracts.

As needed, the Staff Counsel may occasionally bring charges against businesses at the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), and/or draft denial or revocation letters for applicants or licensees in certain license categories. In connection with these matters, and others, the Staff Counsel may negotiate and draft settlement agreements for civil penalties and consumer restitution.

The Staff Counsel should have excellent communication skills and be able to work independently, as well as in teams comprised of attorneys and non-attorneys. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, experienced attorney with strong analytical skills who wishes to provide advice and counsel in a fast-paced, sometimes high-pressured environment.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

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.

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.