What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Counsel – Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement position at NYC Department of Social Services?
The Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) is responsible for coordinating enforcement efforts across City agencies to address complex quality of life issues, including illegal short-term rentals, adult use and illegal massage locations, and emerging issues or special projects. OSE ensures that these enforcement efforts (including inspections, litigation, outreach, and education) are leveraged across all five boroughs to address dangerous conditions at properties that require a coordinated multi-agency response.
Assistant Corporation Counsels are assigned as agency partners to work in the Office of Special Enforcement (OSE), which is within the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ).The ACCs’ duties range from providing counsel on investigative and policy issues to serving as lead litigator in complex civil litigation, and include the following responsibilities: Drafts litigation documents, including memos, correspondence, pleadings, motions, and discovery requests and responses for civil enforcement actions. Consults with City inspectors, investigators, and other law enforcement personnel to prepare affidavits in support of motions and applications. Appears in Supreme Court or other courts for arguments, hearings, and conferences concerning substantive and procedural motions, as well as pre-trial discovery depositions and disputes and case settlement discussions. Negotiates resolutions of civil actions with defense counsels and then drafts stipulations of settlement. Ensures that injunctive relief provisions are complied with and that all necessary settlement payments are made. Provides legal counsel to OSE Inspection Teams regarding administrative enforcement issues related to inspections of buildings and structures with suspected safety concerns. Supports team investigations and enforcement actions by drafting and filing administrative access warrants and subpoenas. In preparation for affirmative litigation, reviews and compiles complaints, administrative records from various City agencies and departments, inspection reports, notices of violations, administrative and judicial decisions regarding prior enforcement, arrest reports, and disposition records. Assists in prosecution of violations before administrative hearing officers, prepares appeals of administrative decisions, and assists in defensive litigation against the City stemming from OSE enforcement actions. Prepares and responds to FOIL requests timely.
Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document under resume and a writing sample under cover letter.
ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL - 30112
Minimum Qualifications
Must be either 1) an admitted member in good standing of the New York State Bar, or 2) a member in good standing of any state bar association and eligible to waive into the New York State Bar. The ideal candidate will have 1) two years or more of legal experience as an admitted attorney with experience in civil litigation, including preparing pleadings, court appearances, discovery practice, and taking depositions; 2) substantive legal experience related to nuisance abatement, housing, building and fire codes, consumer deception, adult use establishments, investigation, enforcement, or bringing affirmative litigation; 3) experience working with a team of investigators and inspectors; and 4) demonstrated commitment to a public interest legal practice. Substantial non-legal experience in relevant fields – especially in housing, building and fire codes, or investigations – will be considered in lieu of the preferred two years of legal experience. Proven ability to work both alone and collaboratively is a plus.
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.
Assistant Corporation Counsels are assigned as agency partners to work in the Office of Special Enforcement (OSE), which is within the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ).The ACCs’ duties range from providing counsel on investigative and policy issues to serving as lead litigator in complex civil litigation, and include the following responsibilities: Drafts litigation documents, including memos, correspondence, pleadings, motions, and discovery requests and responses for civil enforcement actions. Consults with City inspectors, investigators, and other law enforcement personnel to prepare affidavits in support of motions and applications. Appears in Supreme Court or other courts for arguments, hearings, and conferences concerning substantive and procedural motions, as well as pre-trial discovery depositions and disputes and case settlement discussions. Negotiates resolutions of civil actions with defense counsels and then drafts stipulations of settlement. Ensures that injunctive relief provisions are complied with and that all necessary settlement payments are made. Provides legal counsel to OSE Inspection Teams regarding administrative enforcement issues related to inspections of buildings and structures with suspected safety concerns. Supports team investigations and enforcement actions by drafting and filing administrative access warrants and subpoenas. In preparation for affirmative litigation, reviews and compiles complaints, administrative records from various City agencies and departments, inspection reports, notices of violations, administrative and judicial decisions regarding prior enforcement, arrest reports, and disposition records. Assists in prosecution of violations before administrative hearing officers, prepares appeals of administrative decisions, and assists in defensive litigation against the City stemming from OSE enforcement actions. Prepares and responds to FOIL requests timely.
Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document under resume and a writing sample under cover letter.
ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL - 30112
Minimum Qualifications
Must be either 1) an admitted member in good standing of the New York State Bar, or 2) a member in good standing of any state bar association and eligible to waive into the New York State Bar. The ideal candidate will have 1) two years or more of legal experience as an admitted attorney with experience in civil litigation, including preparing pleadings, court appearances, discovery practice, and taking depositions; 2) substantive legal experience related to nuisance abatement, housing, building and fire codes, consumer deception, adult use establishments, investigation, enforcement, or bringing affirmative litigation; 3) experience working with a team of investigators and inspectors; and 4) demonstrated commitment to a public interest legal practice. Substantial non-legal experience in relevant fields – especially in housing, building and fire codes, or investigations – will be considered in lieu of the preferred two years of legal experience. Proven ability to work both alone and collaboratively is a plus.
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.
