Assistant General Counsel

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

The DOC seeks to recruit a highly motivated Agency Attorney to join the DOC’s Legal Division. The Legal Division serves as in‑house counsel for the Department under the supervision of the General Counsel. Agency Attorneys work under the supervision of Senior Attorneys and receive training and practical experience in all tasks performed in the DOC Legal Division. Attorneys in the Legal Division advise on a wide range of matters including legal, policy, operational, and administrative issues. The Agency Attorney will assist with the diverse range of legal issues that may affect the Department of Correction.

Duties of the Agency Attorney include:

• Investigate and prepare responses to administrative complaints brought by employees involving violations of various equal employment statutes.
• Implement terms of Consent Judgments and settlements and advocate for compliance and ultimate termination of oversight.
• Investigate, prepare responses to, and appear on Article 78 petitions and Writs of Habeas Corpus.
• Assist the NYC Law Department by engaging in the defense of the DOC and its employees in matters arising under Section 1983 of the federal Civil Rights Law, State common law tort cases, equal employment law. This also includes participating in the defense of cases that injunctive relief and, when appropriate, engaging in difficult and involved negotiations and implementation of said relief upon settlement.
• Identify and prepare Department employees for testimony in various venues.
• Draft contracts, memoranda of understanding, stipulations, affidavits, and various other pleading‑type documents.
• Advise Executive Staff on the legality of potential policy changes.
• Analyze, study, and report on the effects of city, state, and federal legislation.
• Assist the Department in rulemaking, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Assist the Department in all aspects of the Board of Correction (“BOC”) rulemaking process, including fact‑finding, legal research and analysis, consultation with the Law Department, and translation of Department policies and practices into draft BOC rules or amendments thereto, if necessary.
• Collaborate with BOC, H+H, and other City agencies, City Hall, City Council, and external criminal justice stakeholders.
• Supervise junior attorneys, revising and approving work.
• Provide advice and counsel to ensure the Department meets statutory and regulatory requirements, including advising the Department on, and interpreting, federal, state and local laws and regulations that affect or inform the Department’s work.
• Prepare for and/or try complex cases in Supreme Court.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Agency Attorney - 30087

Minimum Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either option "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.

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.

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 2 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.

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.