Associate General Counsel

Job Description

The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $155,000.

*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.

The General Counsel Division (GCD) at DCWP seeks an experienced attorney to serve in the Executive Agency Counsel / Associate General Counsel (AGC) position. Reporting to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, the AGC will be responsible for supervising the GCD’s Affirmative and Licensing Litigation Unit, which consist of a team of lawyers who research, investigate and prosecute illegal and deceptive and business practices by individual businesses and business industries. Specifically, the AGC will have several primary areas of focus:

- Oversight of GCD affirmative litigation attorneys: the GCD’s affirmative litigation team consists of attorneys who research, investigate and prosecute illegal, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by individual businesses and business industries, with a focus on schemes and scams directed at vulnerable populations, i.e., immigrant and lower income communities. The AGC will:
o manage the team’s investigative and trial work, including acting as lead counsel in proceedings before OATH and in State court, as necessary;
o work with the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel to develop creative strategies for identifying and successfully prosecuting affirmative litigation cases; and
o train legal and investigative staff on skills necessary to carry out the GCD’s litigation goals.

- Managing the GCD’s enforcement of laws related to certain license categories, including secondhand automobile dealers (aka, used car dealerships), debt collectors, and employment agencies. Oversee and serve as lead counsel, as necessary, in enforcement actions at the City’s administrative tribunal and in NYS court, conduct industry-wide compliance initiatives, and coordinate targeted enforcement efforts. Supervise and participate as necessary in all trials. Review and assist in drafting summonses, petitions, motions, briefs, subpoenas, Consent Orders, discovery documents, correspondence, and other legal documents. Provide support to the New York City Law Department with litigation related to licensed categories.

- Provide legal counseling to other divisions regarding licensed categories as a subject matter expert, particularly issues related to the interpretation of licensing laws and rules; assisting with the review and drafting of legislation and rules implementing legislation; review and revise Licensing and Enforcement Division tools/documents to ensure compliance and consistency with laws and rules; utilize expertise to provide legal advice on drafting and reviewing enforcement and licensing division documents and assessing enforcement priorities; work with the Communications Division to help properly frame legal issues and answer questions; work with the External Affairs to handle elected inquiries, frame responses, and help prepare for public hearings concerning potential new areas of Agency responsibility.

- Supervise and oversee team of attorneys to ensure that work is being efficiently and accurately performed, team members are supported and meeting their goals, and all policies and procedures are adhered to.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, experienced attorney who has managed diverse teams of professionals and who has superb writing skills and experience with strategic planning and using technology and data to further legal goals. The position requires an individual who enjoys substantial responsibility, demonstrates good judgment, and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four