Associate General Counsel (New York)

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 Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of one unit of GCD affirmative litigation 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 emerging deceptive and unconscionable pricing issues. This portfolio includes investigation and enforcement concerning deceptive junk fees, including but not limited to fees covered by DCWP’s hotel junk fee rule, the click-to-cancel rule, the Truth in Pricing Law,the Consumer Protection Law, and any other laws within the Agency’s jurisdiction regulating dynamic and surveillance pricing. The AGC will:
• manage the team’s investigative and trial work, including supervising proceedings before OATH and in State court, as necessary;
• support matters from investigation through settlement or trial, including keeping matters moving to meet deadlines;
• work with the GCD senior management team to develop creative strategies for identifying and successfully prosecuting affirmative litigation 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 specific laws, including the Safe Hotels Act and laws regulating funeral homes and automated employment decision-making tools (AEDTs). Oversee and serve as lead counsel, as necessary, in 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.
• Lead DCWP strategy to enforce modernized Truth in Pricing Law, including restrictions on dynamic pricing and surveillance pricing. Manage and direct research into best practices to protect consumers from surveillance pricing in particular, in close coordination with other AGCs in the GCD, and other divisions of DCWP, including Legislative Affairs and the Office of Financial Empowerment.
• Responsible for monitoring market supply fluctuations and implementing DCWP’s Price Gouging Rule during States of Emergency.
• 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.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

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

• Significant experience in management, including supervision, administration and handling personnel issues - 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 - Experience with regulatory compliance - Flexibility and ability to adjust to shifting regulatory and policy landscapes and demonstrated ability to utilize creative thinking when developing legal strategy - 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

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

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.