Sheriff Counsel

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.

The 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 Legal Affairs Division seeks an experienced attorney to provide legal advice and counsel on Sheriff's Office matters, including handling legal matters relating to the City Sheriff’s role in cannabis enforcement of laws relating to the regulation of illegal cannabis, electronic monitoring, civil enforcement process, criminal investigations, and other ongoing enforcement priorities. Reporting to the Director of Sheriff Legal Matters, the unit will provide legal counsel to the Sheriff’s Office, and focus on data sharing and agreements, drafting legislation and rules, and preparing cases for administrative review.

Under direction, with wide latitude for independent review, the selected attorney will:

• Perform legal work related to Operation Padlock to Protect, including providing review and analysis of OATH cases, preparing legal responses for legal challenges to the city’s enforcement operation, and draft rules, forms, violations, and responses to audit and information requests.
• Research and analyze laws to provide guidance to the Sheriff and to staff concerning the enforcement of court orders and legal documents received from the courts and filing parties.
• Advise on a range of enforcement issues, including complex matters, and serve as liaison with the Law Department on assigned litigation matters.
• Draft and review contract specifications and Memoranda of Understanding for the Sheriff's Office. Draft, review, and update Sheriff's Office Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Assist in providing legal counsel on other areas as assigned by the General Counsel or manager. Participate in division and agency projects.
• Handle administrative and legal proceedings, representing DOF at administrative proceedings as needed as well as reviewing and responding to any legal claims or correspondence to the agency.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
• 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.

Preferred Skills

• Two to three years of experience in areas of law relevant to the work of the Sheriff's Office, including but not limited to: Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR), Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL), Family Court ACT, NYS Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law (CPL), Mental Hygiene Law (MHL), and Navigation Law.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Experience with researching and advising on CPLR or other enforcement matters.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• Experience effectively handling complex matters including multiple assignments under deadline.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position