Deputy General Counsel

Title: Deputy General Counsel

Location: New York City United States

Salary range:$113,690.00 – $200,000.00

Job Description:

This position may be eligible for remote work for up to 2 days per week pursuant to the Flexible Work Pilot Program.

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation's leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City's Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City's vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. 

DCWP seeks an experienced and results-driven Deputy General Counsel for Counseling and Operations who will work closely with the General Counsel and the Commissioner, and in tandem with the Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Administrative Enforcement, to ensure the agency is at the forefront of protecting consumers from false and misleading advertising, and deceptive and unconscionable business practices. The Deputy General Counsel will help the counseling and non-litigation operations teams within a 100-person-plus Division, consisting of multiple units of attorneys, doing counseling, rulemaking, legislative, contract, and Agency final decision work, and non-attorney units who intake and mediate consumer complaints, settle summonses issued by DCWP's Enforcement Division, respond to requests made under the Freedom of Information Law, and stand-up operations in the Division.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Providing sound legal advice to DCWP's Commissioner and Executive team, and other Divisions, including DCWP's Enforcement, Licensing, External Affairs, IT and Administrative Divisions, and the Office of Labor Policy & Standards and the Office of Financial Empowerment.
• Representing DCWP at meetings with other agencies and collaborating with the NYC Office of the Corporation Counsel.
• Reviewing and revising the work product of attorneys within the General Counsel Division, including policies and protocols, contracts, documents related to sealings, enforcement and plain language checklists, and agency final decisions for all recommended decisions issued by the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
• Reviewing and revising public-facing documents for the Licensing Division.
• Receiving, reviewing, and responding to subpoenas issued to the agency or personnel in their official capacities.
• Monitoring and working with data and reporting teams to ensure timely and accurate reporting available for mayor management report and press inquiries.
• Drafting and reviewing laws and rules, and commenting on pending legislation and City Council hearing testimony.
• Ensuring a thorough but timely process for the implementation of new laws and rules affecting the Agency.
• Managing the work of the Agency Privacy Officer.
• Developing strategies for improving Division operations.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, experienced attorney with superb writing and management skills. The position requires an individual who enjoys substantial responsibility and thrives in a fast-paced, sometimes high-pressured environment.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Minimum Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Preferred Skills

• J.D. from accredited law school - At least eight (8) years of applicable legal practice - Excellent legal analysis and problem solving skills - Team-based, collegial and collaborative approach to work and supervision - Experience in managing attorneys and non-attorneys - Experience with contract drafting and/or procurement processes - Experience in negotiation - Experience in government or public sector work - Experience in management, administration and personnel issues - Flexibility in hours - References that can confirm excellent writing, communication and managerial skills - Writing samples that demonstrate analysis, original research and writing

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. 

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.