Staff Counsel - 700700

**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 more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to educate consumers and 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 or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

DCWP is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Staff Counsel in the General Counsel Division, serving in the Regulatory Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Unit. The 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, including but not limited to those regulations applicable to the Hotel Industry and Broker Fees. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Staff Counsel responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support investigations into violations of DCWP’s licensing and consumer protection laws and rules, including those concerning the licensing and regulation of hotels, and the regulation of broker fees;
• 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;
• 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.

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.