Associate General Counsel

Job Description

*The salary range for this position is $155,000 - $160,158*

**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 litigator to serve in the Associate General Counsel (AGC) position. Reporting to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, the AGC will be responsible for supervising the GCD’s Regulatory, Affirmative and Licensing Litigation Unit, consisting of a team of lawyers who strategize, research, investigate and prosecute illegal and deceptive business practices by individual businesses and industries. Specifically, this AGC will have several primary areas of focus:
1. Oversight of the GCD’s affirmative and impact litigation team: the GCD’s affirmative and impact 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 be responsible for
- Managing the team’s investigative and trial work, including acting as lead counsel or second chairing proceedings before OATH and in State court, as necessary;
- Working with GCD senior management team to develop creative strategies for identifying and successfully prosecuting affirmative and impact litigation cases;
- Becoming a subject matter expert in the Consumer Protection Law (CPL) and the various industries the agency is required to regulate under the CPL, including funeral homes and immigration service providers, for effective identification of new investigative targets; and
- Training legal and investigative staff on skills necessary to carry out GCD’s litigation goals.

2. Oversight over the GCD’s enforcement of laws and regulations related to specific license categories, including home improvement contractors, hotels, third-party food delivery services, and electronic stores. 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. Oversee 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 Law Department with litigation related to licensed categories.

3. Oversight over the GCD’s enforcement of laws and regulations related to New York City’s Cashless Ban, prohibition on mandatory tenant-paid broker fees, and price gouging.

4. Provide legal counseling to other divisions as the subject matter expert regarding licensed categories, particularly issues related to the interpretation of licensing laws and rules; assisting with the review and drafting of 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.

5. Supervise and oversee staff counsel 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, experience