General Counsel

Description:

The Commission works every day to implement the city's Human Rights Law through enforcement, education, and outreach. The Commission seeks to address historic and contemporary inequities to cultivate a city where everyone can live, work, and thrive free from discrimination.

Through training, education, and policy initiatives, the Commission aims to root out discrimination. The Commission proactively identifies patterns of discrimination through testing employers, housing providers, and providers of public accommodation

The Commissions also uses investigations, litigation, and other enforcement tools to address allegations of discrimination.

The Commission is seeking an experienced, innovative, self-motivated attorney to serve as General Counsel under the direction of the Commissioner/Chair. The role supports the Commissions efforts to address discrimination and foster understanding among New Yorkers by advising the Commissioner/ Chairperson, and senior leadership.

The ideal candidate will have experience finding the appropriate balance between minimizing legal risk and maximizing institutional effectiveness while providing legal counsel to senior leaders. The candidate should have experience in city government. The role requires strong verbal and written communications skills, and the ability to develop and deliver presentations, present testimony, and facilitate meetings with legal practitioners and a wide array of stakeholders.

The General Counsel will:

• Directly supervise the day-to-day work of the Assistant General Counsel, facilitating opportunities for growth and supporting ongoing professional development;
• Provide guidance and support to the Director of Mediation and Conflict Resolution,
• Work with the EEO Officer, and other staff as necessary to ensure that all staff are effectively trained on applicable laws and rules;
• Track and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and support Deputy Commissioners and Department Heads on the preparation and submission of required reports;
• Proactively review and ensure agency's internal processes are effective;
• Advise the Commissioner/ Chairperson, Deputy Commissioners and other staff on labor and employment and other legal matters;
• Oversees the processing of requests submitted under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL);
• Guarantee effective implementation of protocols required under Comptrollers Directives and Memoranda;
• Represent the agency at citywide meetings of General Counsels and at external meetings, conferences and events as requested by the Commissioner;
• Partner with New York City Law Department to advance pattern and practice claims and other matters as necessary, in coordination with the Law Enforcement Bureau (LEB);
• Support LEB and the Office of the Chair in identifying amicus brief opportunities, and coordinating with the Affirmative Litigation Division on briefs and statements of interest;
• Engage with staff in the Appeals Division at the New York City Law Department with respect to the defense of agency decisions and orders; and
• Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Commissioner/Chairperson

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 8-10 years of legal experience following graduation from an ABA accredited law school including at least three (3) years of supervisory legal experience;
• Admitted to practice law in the State of New York;
• Previous in-house or general counsel experience;
• Experience in labor law and employment law.

Preferred Skills:
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team to manage a large and diverse workload and meet deadlines - Attention to detail and ability to multi-task, prioritize and schedule work effectively to achieve optimal results while demonstrating strong interpersonal skills. - Experience with employment litigation, and management responsibilities at a local, state or federal government agency - Excellent negotiation, mediation, problem solving and persuasion skills. - Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities in complex legal and regulatory environments including applying regulation to new areas. - Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information using discretion, professional sensitivity, and sound judgment. - Ability to communicate effectively across cultures, identities, and backgrounds, and to give and receive feedback. - Prior experience working with and/or knowledge of advocacy and legal organizations and non-profits working to advance social justice and/or in areas of housing, employment, or public accommodations.

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