Attorney

Job Description

The New York City Law Department is accepting applications from admitted attorneys for our Privacy and Records Unit. Reporting to the Chief of Privacy and Records Officer, the attorney in this role will assist with the office’s compliance with the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and the New York City Identifying Information Law.

Attorneys in the Unit are responsible for receiving, tracking, and interpreting requests for information made to the Law Department pursuant to FOIL; interacting with staff throughout the Department to locate, retrieve, and review documents that may be responsive to the requests; analyzing how much of the information must be disclosed to the requestor, and whether any may be withheld; and issuing determinations granting or denying requests to requesters. They will also assist the Law Department Records Appeals Officer with FOIL appeal determinations and advise and train City clients on the FOIL law, practice, and relevant legal updates. The Privacy and Records Unit attorney will also assist with compliance under the City’s Identifying Information Law, which includes, among other things: overseeing day-to-day agency compliance by all divisions of the Department (advising staff on privacy issues, engage in projects/contracts that involve collecting or disclosing identifying information); quarterly reporting to the City’s Chief Privacy Officer; assisting in drafting the agency’s biennial Agency Report on collections, disclosures, and retentions of identifying information; and investigating privacy incidents within the Department or by third-party contractors.

This position provides attorneys with opportunities to develop their compliance and advising skills. The role is particularly suited for attorneys seeking meaningful public service, particularly in advisement and compliance roles.

Salary Information

• For 0–5 years of legal experience: $87,737–$122,300
• For 5-10 years of legal experience: $122,300-137,188
• For 10-15 years of legal experience: $137,188-$159,521
• For 15-20 years of legal experience: $159,521-$180,791
• For 20+ years of legal experience: $180,791-$188,235

Candidates with highly specialized experience may qualify for salaries slightly above these ranges when a role requires such expertise or the position is considered hard to fill.

Work From Home Options

Following orientation, attorneys may elect to participate in one of two remote work programs:

1. Flexible Remote Work: Allows limited, irregular work from home days.
2. Citywide Pilot Program: Allows attorneys to work remotely on two set days per week, subject to Division approval and staffing needs. Participants must maintain a single designated remote work location, and in person obligations take precedence over scheduled remote days. This pilot is currently being tested across City agencies and is not yet permanent.

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Qualifications

The Privacy and Records Unit is dedicated to assisting the Office in providing outstanding legal advocacy. Accordingly, candidates must be graduates of an ABA approved law school and be admitted and in good standing with the New York State Bar with at least one year of legal experience after law school graduation. Applicants should possess excellent judgment, stellar organizational skills, strong research and legal analysis abilities, and be comfortable providing sound legal advice to senior level attorneys. Experience with litigation and/or compliance with FOIL requests is preferred.

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.