General Counsel

THE DIVISION

The Counsel’s Office is involved in all aspects of the agency’s operations ranging from providing counsel to the Department of City Planning, the City Planning Commission, other governmental agencies, but also to private entities on issues related to zoning, land use review, planning, environmental review, and agency administration and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The General Counsel reports directly to the DCP Chair and performs a broad scope of duties to advise the agency and lead the Counsel’s Office in all aspects of its practice.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

    Under general direction, with wide latitude for the exercise of legal knowledge, judgment and experience, perform legal activity of significant policy consequences.
    Draft important and complex legislation, zoning text and policy statements on behalf of the agency.
    Serve as a legal counselor to the agency's managerial and executive staff.
    Assist agency managerial staff in the preparation and review of Environmental Impact Statements and other SEQRA/CEQR documentation.
    Advise and recommend on questions of law, fact and administrative policy.
    Draft complex legal documents.
    Conduct special studies and projects.
    Perform assignments equivalent to or related to those described above.
    Provide legal support for agency-wide activities, programs, initiatives, policies, transactions and business operations
    Under executive direction, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent initiative and decision, serves as legal advisor to the agency chair, management, and staff in all business units.
    Provide legal counsel on a wide range of legal issues, including in the areas of contracts and freedom of information law (FOIL), and cultural policy.
    Oversee the agency’s response to requests for records pursuant to city, state and federal regulations and FOIL.
    Serve as the agency’s lead liaison to the City’s Law Department and other City agencies to solicit guidance, advocate on behalf of the agency, and coordinate on litigation and review of various legal and regulatory matters.
    Keep apprised of legal developments and relevant practice areas, and communicate highly technical legal guidance and information with clarity and skill.
    Represent the Counsel’s Office and the agency in meetings internally, with City colleagues, and constituents.
    Supervise, manage, and direct the staff of the Counsel’s Office, including Deputy General Counsel and staff attorneys, in a collaborative work environment.
    Lead all aspects of the Counsel’s Office practice, which include project management and responding to inquiries from the agency’s constituent organizations and the general public.

REQUIREMENTS:

    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, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work. Incumbents must remain members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

    Substantial private sector real estate and development experience
    Significant management and leadership expertise in the public sector
    Track record of successful large commercial and legal negotiations with public and private stakeholders
    Intricate knowledge of New York land use law and the function of city planning
    Significant experience appropriately interpreting the New York City Zoning Resolution
    Familiarity with Federal, state and local regulations and legal frameworks
    Expertise managing a large team of legal staff and working across city government agencies
    Track record of advising senior government appointees and elected officials
    Experience working for City government and/or non-profit clients is preferred.
    Candidate must have excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing.
    Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, work productively under pressure, both independently and as a team member, and possess tact and excellent judgment in confidential situations.
    Must possess a strong attention to detail.
    Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) required.
    Must have ability to manage other attorneys in a collaborative environment, and work with in-house and outside clients and constituents.