Attorney

About the role

The General Litigation Division represents the City in federal and state court litigation in both routine matters and challenges to important programs in diverse areas including education, prison conditions, child welfare, freedom of information, public assistance benefits, campaign finance, and election law. The Division also defends numerous class actions for money damages and injunctive relief that assert statutory and constitutional violations.

Recent cases involve matters such as accessibility of courthouses and police stations for disabled persons; conditions of confinement at NYC jails; educational programs and services offered to special needs children; DNA collection and retention; and cash assistance and SNAP benefits.

Attorneys in the division are responsible for their own caseloads and all facets of litigation including pleadings, discovery, court conferences, arguments, motion papers, and trials. This position provides experienced attorneys with opportunities to deepen their litigation skills in federal and state court while managing their own caseload of sophisticated matters. The role is particularly suited for attorneys seeking meaningful public service, particularly in federal and state practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage a personal caseload of federal and state court litigation
• Handle all facets of litigation: pleadings, discovery, court conferences, arguments, motion papers, and trials
• Defend class actions for money damages and injunctive relief asserting statutory and constitutional violations

Requirements

• At least five years of relevant litigation experience after graduating from an ABA-accredited law school
• Admission to the bars of, and in good standing in, the courts of New York State and the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
• Federal court experience
• Exceptional organizational abilities, strong legal writing and analytical skills, strong interpersonal skills, and excellent judgment

Benefits

• Eligibility for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness and state repayment assistance programs

Pay

Salaries are set based on post-law-school legal experience:

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

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

Schedule

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

• Flexible Remote Work: Allows limited, irregular work from home days.
• 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.

New York City residency is not required for this position.