Real Property Attorney Intern

NYC Department of Finance (DOF) is responsible for administering the tax revenue laws of the city fairly, efficiently, and transparently to instill public confidence and encourage compliance while providing exceptional customer service.

DOF’s Legal Affairs Division serves as the in-house legal department for DOF, providing professional and comprehensive legal advice and services supporting a full range of city tax and other revenue-related matters. Legal Affairs Division attorneys and staff handle various legal issues, including real property taxes and exemptions, business income and excise taxes, collections, parking violations, treasury, land registry, Conciliation Bureau conferences, FOIL, and employment law.

The Real Property Law Unit is seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated Agency Attorney Intern to join its legal team in handling a wide range of real property tax and tax administration related issues. Under close supervision and direction, the selected candidate will assist with legal matters involving property tax assessments, exemptions and abatements, surcharges, tax maps and land records, and billing-related issues. Reporting to the Director of Real Property, the selected candidate’s duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

• With supervision, conduct legal research and draft memoranda, legal responses, policy statements and other documents.
• Assist in reviewing, analyzing and learning to draft State and local legislation, policies, and agency rules, forms and communications.
• Assist in providing legal counsel to the agency's operational staff and serve as a liaison to operational staff on matters being handled by the unit and by the Law Department.
• Participate in division and agency projects and assist with reports.
• Research and draft responses to claims or actions filed against the agency as needed.
• Under direction, serve as a liaison with the Law Department on agency litigation matters.
• Under direction, assist in preparing petitions and cases for administrative hearings, including matters involving Real Property Income and Expense (RPIE), Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR), and other related proceedings as needed.
• Participate in projects and assist with matters in other areas as assigned by the General Counsel or Division Manager.

Additional Information: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed between the City and the Collective Bargaining Unit representing employees serving in the civil service title.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited United States law school as defined in the Rules of the New York Court of Appeals (Sections 520.3 or 520.5) or admission to the New York State Bar.

Preferred Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well as strong research and writing abilities and attention to detail.
• Experience with real property tax assessment, tax exemption and abatement, or tax map matters is a plus.
• Ability to balance multiple assignments and responsibilities.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is not required for this position.