Assistant Corporation Counsel - Special Federal Litigation

The New York City Law Department Special Federal Litigation Division Is Seeking An Attorney To Serve As An Assistant Corporation Counsel In One Of The Following Positions

General ACC

The Assistant Corporation Counsel would defend the City and its officials in civil rights cases brought in federal court in which police, district attorney or correction officer misconduct is alleged by those who believe their constitutional rights were violated in the course of an arrest and subsequent prosecution, or on account of events in City jails. As part of their duties, the Assistant Corporation Counsel can expect to defend the City and members of law enforcement in cases brought by litigants who have had convictions reversed, those challenging the constitutionality of police actions during the 2020 Spring/Summer demonstrations and Covid-19 curfew enforcement, as well as class actions on various constitutional claims.

The hired attorney for these positions will handle a caseload from inception through resolution whether by motion practice, settlement, or trial. Attorneys conduct initial investigations to determine if representation is appropriate, answer the complaint, appear at court conferences, engage in extensive discovery (paper and electronic), take and defend depositions, draft dispositive motions, conduct settlement negotiations, and, when appropriate, take cases to trial in federal court.

Federal Monitorship ACC

The Assistant Corporation Counsel would be a part of a team that provides legal counsel to NYPD in connection with the continued development, implementation, and compliance with City’s relationship with a federal Monitor appointed by the Court to oversee policing reforms by NYPD. The successful candidate will, with other members of the team, work on: motion practice; assist in drafting and revising NYPD policies related to the monitorship; review and prepare documents, audio files, and video footage for disclosure to and/or inspection by class counsel; attend high level internal NYPD meetings as well as meetings with the Monitor and class counsel, and attend in-person training at various NYPD facilities. Attendance at training, as well as inquiries from the monitor and other interested parties, and court deadlines may take place outside of regular working hours. This position is a unique opportunity to work on police reform and monitorship issues.

In your cover letter, please indicate any position preference. Please upload a cover letter, resume, writing sample and a list of the names and contact information for three professional references as one document under “resume” to apply.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have a minimum of two years of litigation experience following graduation from an ABA accredited law school, preferably in federal practice, municipal liability, constitutional, or personal injury law. Applicants must be admitted to practice law in the State of New York and be admitted or eligible for immediate admission to the SDNY and EDNY. Applicants must have demonstrated strong legal writing and oral advocacy skills.

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 https://studentaid.gov/pslf/

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position.

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.