**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) 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. The General Counsel Division (GCD) at DCWP seeks an experienced attorney to serve in the Associate General Counsel (AGC) position.
Reporting to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement, the AGC will be responsible for overseeing one of the GCD’s core enforcement and litigation units, which consist of a team of lawyers who research, investigate and prosecute illegal and deceptive and business practices by individual businesses and business industries. Specifically, the AGC will have several primary areas of focus:
- Oversight of GCD investigative and enforcement attorneys: this 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 enforcing the Department’s landmark debt collection rules.
The AGC will:
- manage the team’s investigative and trial work, including ensuring that attorneys are meeting deadlines, supporting investigations, and supervising proceedings before OATH and in State court, as necessary;
- work with the GCD senior management team to develop creative strategies for identifying and successfully prosecuting cases; and
- train legal and investigative staff on skills necessary to carry out the GCD’s litigation goals.
- Oversight over the GCD’s enforcement of laws related to certain regulatory categories, including debt collectors, income tax preparers, parking garages, student loan scams and medical debt related investigations. Oversee 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 the New York City Law Department with litigation related to licensed categories.
- Provide legal counseling to other divisions regarding licensed categories, particularly issues related to the interpretation of licensing laws and rules; assisting with the review and drafting of legislation and rules implementing 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.
- Supervise and oversee team of attorneys to ensure that work is being efficiently and accurately performed, all policies and procedures are adhered to, and professional development goals are being met by team members.
The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, experienced attorney and manager with superb writing skills and experience with strategic planning and using technology and data to further legal goals.
The position requires substantive management and supervisory experience by an individual who enjoys substantial responsibility and thrives in a fast-paced environment.
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
- Interest/experience in management, administration and personnel issues
- Managerial and supervisory experience, including developing and implementing strategic priorities
- Experience litigating cases at administrative agencies and in state and federal court, including experience conducting hearings and trials, drafting and filing dispositive and other motions, conducting discovery and depositions, and negotiating and drafting settlement agreements
- Demonstrated ability to multitask, set priorities and work quickly and efficiently
- Interest in or experience in government or public sector work
- Familiarity with administrative law and consumer protection issues; substantive experience working on consumer credit, medical debt, or student loan debt a plus.
- Experience with regulatory compliance
- Ability to work in and direct teams in a diverse environment comprised of attorney and non-legal staff
- Interest in working in a hands-on “roll up your sleeves” atmosphere
- Impeccable legal judgment, problem solving skills and ability to resolve issues in a diplomatic and expedient fashion
- Excellent writing and editing skills, appreciation of rigorous standards for written work and interest in growing and developing impeccable legal templates for the agency
Residency Requirement
New York City Residency is not required for this position
Additional Information
In addition, the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) offers competitive salaries and the following benefits: Paid Time Off and Holidays
- Paid time off for vacation and personal leave
- Paid time off for sick leave
- A generous holiday package of up to 13 days Health Benefits
- Medical insurance plans
- Dental and vision insurance plans
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Financial and Savings Benefits
- 529 College Savings Plan
- Direct Deposit
- Flexible Spending Account Programs
- New York City Municipal Credit Union Savings Program
- Transit Benefit Programs Retirement and Pension Plans
- New York City Employee Retirement System (NYCERS) pension plan
- New York City Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) 401(k) and 457 plan Additional Benefits for Union Members
- Disability Insurance
- Health Club Reimbursements
- Life Insurance
- Supplemental Hospital Coverage
- Tuition Reimbursement *Please note only employees represented by a labor union may qualify for additional benefits provided by the union welfare fund. Student Loan Forgiveness
- DCWP qualifies as a public service employer, which means our employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. If you have federal student loans, you may be able to have your loans forgiven by working full-time in public service. To learn more about PSLF and its eligibility requirements, visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program website. Employee Discounts
- Apple and Dell products
- Cell phones and plans
- Gym memberships
- Special pricing on event tickets through Barclay Center, Plum Benefits and Working Advantage
- And more!