General Counsel

DCAS’s mission is to make city government work for all New Yorkers. From managing New York City’s most iconic courthouses and municipal buildings to purchasing over $1 billion annually in goods and services for more than 80 City agencies, our work ensures all agencies can deliver on their mission. Our reach touches every facet of city government and is instrumental to the successful day‑to‑day operations of the City of New York.

Key Services

• Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.
• Managing 56 public buildings.
• Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.
• Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.
• Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
• Leading the City’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) serves as legal counsel for the 13 lines of service that comprise DCAS. OGC has a broad and diverse legal portfolio, with attorneys concentrating on areas such as Human Capital, Procurement, Real Estate, and Compliance. OGC’s support extends to litigation of landlord‑tenant matters, performing legislative review, policy, FOIL requests, and providing legal and strategic advice in fleet administration, energy, and facilities management/construction. OGC also works with Corporation Counsel on special matters before the agency that may require litigation or additional review, pursuant to the City Charter.

General Counsel Overview

The General Counsel of DCAS plays an essential role in advancing the agency’s mission by providing strategic legal oversight across a highly operational portfolio in city government. From managing legal matters related to procurement, real estate, civil service policies, to guiding compliance in areas such as energy management, labor relations, and privacy, the General Counsel ensures DCAS operates within the law while achieving its operational goals. This position is the agency’s chief legal advisor and a strategic partner to the Commissioner and executive team, balancing legal risk with innovation, efficiency, and effective governance. The General Counsel will lead legal strategy during periods of transformation, help shape agency policy, support major city‑wide initiatives, and build a legal team that drives excellence and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Chief Legal Officer and provide guidance and recommendations to the Commissioner and senior leadership on all legal matters affecting DCAS operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Partner with senior management to develop, implement, and enforce agency‑wide policies, procedures, and compliance strategies.
• Advise the Commissioner on proposed legislative changes and develop legal arguments supporting DCAS‑sponsored legislative proposals.
• Oversee the disposition of contracts, liability claims, labor disputes, and civil service matters.
• Participate in complex and/or high‑priority contract negotiations on behalf of the agency.
• Serve as the chief liaison between DCAS and the Law Department to facilitate the handling of legal disputes and litigation.
• Represent the Commissioner at meetings with other public and private entities, ensuring DCAS’s legal interests are effectively represented.
• Collaborate with DCAS Public Affairs to review agency communications, publications, and public statements to mitigate legal risks and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Lead the legal team through organizational change, optimizing structures, roles, and workflows to enhance efficiency and responsiveness to agency priorities.
• Manage and mentor a team of attorneys and professionals, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing legal department that adapts to evolving agency needs.

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 or in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity.

Preferred Skills

• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with at least five years in a managerial or leadership role, preferably in the public sector or government agency.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local laws and policies governing municipal operations.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and management skills, with demonstrated experience in leading and developing high‑performing legal teams.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team of legal professionals, demonstrating strategic vision.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to provide clear, strategic legal counsel on complex matters.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal issues to both legal and non‑legal stakeholders.
• Strong ethical compass and the ability to handle highly sensitive matters with discretion and confidentiality.

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 generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for two continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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.