Deputy General Counsel, Labor and Employment, and Ethics Officer

Position Overview: 

The Battery Park City Authority (“BPCA”) is seeking an experienced attorney to join its Legal Department. The department handles a diverse, interesting and challenging workload related to BPCA’s core mission of managing and sustaining a balanced community of commercial, residential, retail and park space in Battery Park City. The Deputy General Counsel will report directly to the General Counsel and will work closely with other department attorneys as well as with outside counsel. While the primary function of this role will be to handle legal issues related to labor, employment and litigation, the Deputy General Counsel will also have an opportunity to be involved in a range of other matters including complex real estate transactions, contracting, construction, environmental issues, affordable housing, procurement, and corporate governance

Essential Duties:

Labor and Employment

• Provide employment law advice and counseling to our Human Resources team and other stakeholders on a broad range of issues, including employee relations, performance management, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodations, discipline and terminations, internal and EEO investigations, benefits, privacy, and employee classification.
• Draft, revise and advise on employment-related documents and policies.
• Create, update, manage, and provide training programs on various employment law topics.  
• Oversee and/or provide support regarding employment-related litigation, claims, charges, investigations, audits, and subpoenas.
• Monitor employment law-related legislation, regulations, and legal developments that might affect the Authority.
• Provide counsel to the Authority regarding rights and obligations under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, including providing guidance on grievances.
• Participate in future collective bargaining negotiations, assist in developing bargaining strategies, and coordinate with Human Resources to ensure the smooth implementation of bargained terms.

Litigation

• Manage the Authority’s litigation portfolio, including but not limited to employment claims, tort claims, and contract disputes.
• Oversee outside counsel assigned to defend the Authority in litigation.
• Prepare reports on litigation status.

Ethics Office

• Serve as the Authority’s designated Ethics Officer, responsible for ensuring that the Authority and its personnel comply with the legal obligations related to the following subjects:  Requirements for Financial Disclosure Statement Filers, mandatory Ethics Training, approvals for outside activities, approvals for Honoraria, approvals for Office Activity Expense Payments, acceptance of gifts.  

General Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and/or provide advice related to a variety of agreements, such as construction and consultant contracts, lease documents, MOU’s, and letter agreements with governmental entities. 
• Provide timely and thoughtful legal advice on potential risks and issues in matters such as corporate governance, employment law, procurement, and ethics.
• Provide legal analyses and risk assessments on proposed real estate transactions, participate in business decision-making processes.
• Support departmental initiatives concerning outside counsel management, budgeting and training and development.
• Ensure compliance with various contractual and statutory obligations.
• Handle general matters and perform legal research on legal issues that might impact BPCA.
• Oversee the successful and timely response to FOIL requests.
• Assist in the supervision of legal and support staff and perform administrative functions as directed by the General Counsel.
• Monitor compliance by tenants with obligations to the Authority.
• Perform related duties as directed.

Education and Experience:

• J.D. plus seven (7) or more years of legal experience in employment law and litigation.  Government experience is preferred but not required.
• Must be admitted to practice law in New York.

Please submit an updated resume and cover letter to be considered for this position. 

Battery Park City Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.