Staff Counsel - job 2 of 5

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 be educated 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 at DCWP seeks an attorney to serve as a Staff Counsel in the License Review Unit, primarily focusing on licensing issues, including the investigation, enforcement, litigation, and counseling, surrounding the City’s tobacco laws and initiatives. This individual will work closely with the Agency’s Licensing and Enforcement divisions.

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel of the License Review Unit, the Staff Counsel will:

- Investigate and prosecute businesses engaged in illegal conduct;
- Review certain license applications;
- Identify issues or patterns of concern to propose for investigations;
- Oversee industry-wide regulatory compliance reports;
- Undertake legal research and draft memorandum on legal issues facing the agency;
- Draft general correspondence and legal documents;
- Draft charging documents such as Summonses and represent the Agency at hearings in New York City’s administrative tribunal;
- As needed, work with other attorneys to prepare for larger investigations that culminate in trials before the Trials Division of the administrative tribunal;
- Negotiate and draft settlement agreements;
- Develop and draft proposed agency rules;
- Review and edit Licensing and outreach materials; 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.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. 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.

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.