General Counsel

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life by providing funding and support to New York City’s cultural community, including the 39 institutions that comprise the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and more than 1,100 non‑profit cultural organizations that receive regular annual support. DCLA also manages a significant portfolio of cultural capital projects; provides free donated materials and supplies for arts programs and arts educators through its Materials for the Arts program; provides capacity building and technical assistance support to cultural groups; and commissions works of permanent public art through the City’s Public Art Program. This constituency represents a diverse array of organizations – including performing arts groups, museums, theaters, zoos, botanical gardens, visual arts and film centers, community‑based organizations, and arts education programs – that are central to the life of communities in every corner of New York City. The Counsel’s Office is involved in all aspects of the agency’s operations ranging from the negotiation of funding and operating agreements with major cultural institutions to internal matters such as potential conflicts of interest. The Counsel’s Office also monitors legal issues and matters of public policy relevant to the non‑profit sector and the cultural community. The General Counsel performs a broad scope of duties to advise the agency and lead the Counsel’s Office in all aspects of its practice. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Provide legal support for agency‑wide activities, programs, initiatives, policies, transactions and business operations. Draft and negotiate legal agreements related to City‑funded projects, agency programs and initiatives, including grants, contracts, funding agreements, licenses, agreements governing occupancy of City‑owned property, and agreements relating to real property, equipment purchases, construction, and capital projects. Serve as legal advisor to the agency head, management, and staff in all business units with wide latitude for independent initiative and decision. Provide legal counsel on a wide range of legal issues, including contracts, non‑profit law and governance, real property, legislation, construction and capital projects, intellectual property, art law, labor and employment, equal employment opportunity, ethics, free speech and censorship. Assist with oversight of City‑owned cultural facilities with respect to compliance with City agreements and policies. Advise constituent cultural organizations on city rules, policies, and legal terms applicable to DCLA grants and contracts. Interface with cultural and community organizations in need of technical assistance and render policy recommendations in response to their issues. Oversee the agency’s response to requests for records pursuant to city, state and federal regulations and FOIL. Serve as the agency’s lead liaison to the City’s Law Department and other City agencies to solicit guidance, advocate on behalf of the agency, and coordinate on litigation and review of various legal and regulatory matters. Advise on, and work with City colleagues to draft and/or negotiate, proposed legislation and research legal issues of interest to the agency and the non‑profit cultural field. Work with staff to ensure agency compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and requests, such as those involving Department of Investigation, Conflicts of Interest Board or Law Department. Represent the Counsel’s Office and the agency in meetings internally, with City colleagues, and constituents; supervise, manage, and direct the staff of the Counsel’s Office in a collaborative work environment; serve as agency labor‑management liaison with Director of Human Resources. Lead all aspects of the Counsel’s Office practice, which include project management and responding to inquiries from the agency’s constituent organizations and the general public. Keep apprised of legal developments and relevant practice areas, and communicate highly technical legal guidance and information with clarity and skill. To the extent possible and relevant to skill set, lead the agency’s public‑facing initiative around diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Represent the interests of the agency and the City. 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 Experience working for City government and/or non‑profit clients is preferred, in addition to a deep commitment to serving New York City’s non‑profit cultural community. Ideal candidate is a creative problem solver who can navigate multiple points of view and bureaucratic hurdles to find a path forward. Candidate will work to foster a work culture of inclusion, transparency, and collaboration. Candidate must have excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing. Must have experience managing other attorneys in a collaborative environment, and work with in‑house and outside clients and constituents in addition to experience in a number of legal practice areas. Preference is for ten (10) years or more of relevant legal experience subsequent to bar admission in a variety of practice areas. Experience with labor‑management and managing a unionized workforce. Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, work productively under pressure, both independently and as a team member, and possess tact and excellent judgment in confidential situations. Must possess a strong attention to detail. Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) required. Knowledge of the non‑profit arts and culture field a plus, as is experience or interest in areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Experience with current fieldwide issues including artistic freedom of expression is a plus. 55a Program This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55‑a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55‑a Program. 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 required. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr