Staff Counsel

Job Description

Litigate high-impact consumer protection and regulatory enforcement cases on behalf of the City of New York.

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is seeking an attorney to join its General Counsel Division doing cutting edge consumer protection work. This is an opportunity to work with the nation’s leading municipal consumer protection agency, working on affirmative consumer protection litigation and enforcement matters, holding businesses accountable and helping advance the City's affordability agenda.

As Staff Counsel, you will work on enforcement matters from identifying potential targets for enforcement, developing the investigation, and either litigation or negotiating a settlement to accomplish resolution. Staff Counsel will work with other attorneys as well as collaborate with investigators, inspectors, and agency leadership to develop cases and enforcement strategies. The work may include conducting investigations and engaging in discovery, taking depositions, negotiating settlements, appearing before the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and New York State courts, and trying cases on behalf of the City.

Why Join DCWP
- Build hands-on litigation experience by being primary counsel on enforcement matters from investigation through resolution.
- Gain courtroom and hearing experience before OATH and New York State courts.
- Be a part of the team employing creative and cutting edge approaches taking on challenging consumer protection, licensing, and regulatory legal issues.
- Collaborate with attorneys in identifying policy solutions and participate in legislative and rulemaking processes.
- Work on matters with citywide impact that affect consumers, workers, and businesses across New York City.
- Enjoy a hybrid work schedule, strong City benefits, and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

What You’ll Do
As Staff Counsel, you will work on one of six units of litigation and regulatory enforcement attorneys who have a diverse portfolio of matters. You will become a subject matter expert in one or more industries the Department licenses and regulates, and will:
- Identify unlawful conduct and emerging enforcement issues, develop investigation plans and enforcement strategies, and support regulatory enforcement initiatives.
- Develop and litigate enforcement cases, including conducting legal research, drafting pleadings and motions, managing discovery, taking depositions, preparing witnesses, and appearing before OATH and New York State courts.
- Draft and negotiate settlement agreements and other resolutions that promote compliance with the law and, where appropriate, provide relief to affected consumers.
- Collaborate with and advise other divisions at the agency on legal issues related to consumer protection and administrative enforcement.
- Work with data scientists and economists to inform the agency’s work so it can be as impactful as possible
- Develop strong legal writing skills, oral communication skills, and trial experience.
- .Participate in agency outreach, trainings, and public education efforts.

About DCWP
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency, charged with delivering economic justice. We 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 for New Yorkers, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws. Across New York City, DCWP levels the economic playing field by licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, and providing essential services including free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. This work ensures that New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live for all.

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

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Qualifications

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.

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.