Adjudications Counsel

The New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) works every day to implement the city’s Human Rights Law through enforcement, education, and outreach. The Commission seeks to address historic and contemporary inequities to cultivate a city where everyone can live, work, and thrive free from discrimination.

Through training, education, and policy initiatives, the Commission aims to root out discrimination. The Commission proactively identifies patterns of discrimination through testing employers, housing providers, and providers of public accommodation. The Commission also uses investigations, litigation, and other enforcement tools to address allegations of discrimination.

CCHR is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as the Adjudications Counsel. Reporting to Senior Policy Counsel, and in coordination with the Office of the Chair, the successful candidate will be responsible primarily for researching and drafting legal decision memos, and decisions and orders. Adjudications Counsel will contribute to day to day efforts to enhance understanding of, and compliance with the New York City Human Rights Law.

The Specific Roles And Responsibilities Of This Position Include

• Monitor cases and comments for CCHR decisions and orders to ensure timely action by the Office of the Chair
• Engage with stakeholders including community members, advocacy groups, and government entities in requesting comments, granting extensions, and other matters
• Conduct legal research to support the Office of the Chair’s adjudicatory functions
• Draft Decisions and Orders with clarity, organization, proper legal citations, and careful attention to details in the record.
• Contribute to comments on city, state, and federal proposed rules and regulations
• Review and analyze trends relating to antidiscrimination law, including findings of liability, damages, and civil penalties.
• public accommodation requests for exemptions from provisions of the Human Rights Law
• Provide input on public facing materials, reports, and policy recommendations including through legal enforcement guidance, as appropriate
• Collaborate with team members as needed to ensure accuracy of legal and non-legal materials related to compliance with the NYCHRL.
• Performs all duties as needed to advance the work of the Office of the Chair.
  
  

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

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, and experience in anti-discrimination law, civil rights, and/or administrative law. - Experience working to advance racial justice, and demonstrated commitment to rights of immigrant communities lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender communities people with disabilities people living with HIV/AIDS and people with criminal convictions and to challenging all forms of discrimination. - Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex legal issues and produce clear, concise writing. - Familiarity with administrative proceedings, judicial proceedings, court processes, and/or state or municipal government. - Familiarity with writing, legal research, and analytical skills, preferably in a judicial context. - Proficient in legal research tools and techniques, and must be detailed oriented. - Organizational ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. - Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to articulate legal findings and policy directives. - Demonstrated commitment to public service and strong work ethic. - Fluency in a language other than English, preferably one common in New York City.
  
  

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.