Staff Counsel - job 1 of 8

**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 nearly 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need 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, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
DCWP’s General Counsel Division is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Staff Counsel in the Special Projects and Policy Unit. The Staff Counsel will focus on investigation of, and enforcement against, businesses that violate the City’s laws and rules related to the illegal sale of tobacco and uncertified micromobility devices, including e-bikes and e-scooters.
The Staff Counsel will perform other functions, as necessary, within the General Counsel Division. Under the supervision of the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Associate General Counsel, the Staff Counsel will:
- Investigate and prosecute businesses engaged in illegal conduct;
- Draft orders authorizing the sealing of businesses engaged in illegal conduct related to the City’s tobacco laws and laws requiring micromobility devices be certified for safety;
- Draft final adjudicatory decisions related to New York State laws enforced by DCWP;
- Undertake legal research and draft memorandum on legal issues facing the agency;
- Draft general correspondence and legal documents;
- Negotiate and draft settlement agreements;
- Develop and draft proposed agency rules;
- Draft pleadings, motion papers, and other legal documents for actions brought in New York Supreme Court against landlords facilitating unlawful conduct on their premises; and
- Appear before New York Supreme Court to litigate against landlords facilitating unlawful conduct.

As needed, the Staff Counsel may also occasionally bring charges against businesses at the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). In connection with these matters, and others, the Staff Counsel may negotiate and draft settlement agreements for civil penalties and consumer restitution.

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.