General Attorney

About the role

The General Attorney is responsible for managing NYSIF’s legal affairs, reporting to the Executive Director & CEO and Board of Commissioners, and is established in accordance with Workers’ Compensation Law § 84.

Responsibilities

• Act as a confidential legal advisor to NYSIF’s Executive Director & CEO, Board of Commissioners, and staff.
• Serve as attorney of record on all NYSIF legal matters.
• Maintain current knowledge of major legal trends impacting NYSIF operations, including contracting; workers’ compensation and employer liability; disability benefits; paid family leave; insurance law; risk management; real estate; and labor and employment issues.
• Provide advice and counsel to NYSIF’s business units regarding initiatives, programs, and policy based on statutory and regulatory frameworks.
• Employ and compensate special counsel for matters involving special difficulty.
• Direct and oversee all units within the Office of General Counsel (OGC), including Administration, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Contracts, Policy and Governance, Agency Litigation, Labor Relations, Ethics, Adjudicatory Services, Employer Liability, Collections, Third Party, and Loss Transfer.
• Confer on legal and legislative matters with other NYS government entities, such as the Executive Chamber, Office of the Attorney General, Workers’ Compensation Board, and Legislature.
• Conduct litigation management, including oversight of outside counsel, case strategy, and settlement guidance.
• Negotiate, draft, and review contracts and legal documents, including real estate leases, asset acquisitions, and limited partnership agreements.
• Perform legal research to draft and analyze contracts, policies, and other documents.
• Oversee NYSIF’s efforts to combat systemic fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Oversee legal review and response to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests and public information documents.
• Prepare proposed legislation, supporting memoranda, and provide counsel on complex legal matters.
• Interpret the impact of legislation and court decisions on agency operations.
• Report to the Executive Director & CEO and Board on regulatory and securities compliance, including drafting policies for Investments Department and managing asset manager contracts.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• Ten (10) years of postgraduate legal experience, with five (5) years in supervising other attorneys or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Investigatory and litigation experience.
• Excellent legal analysis, oral advocacy, and legal writing and editing skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Future career growth potential.
• Open and supportive team-based environment.
• Plentiful vacation, personal, and sick time off.
• Paid state and federal holidays.
• Affordable health insurance plans.
• Dental and vision benefits provided at no additional cost.
• Retirement options.
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Possibility of telecommuting (up to 50%), flextime, and Alternative Work Schedules (AWS).

Additional Information

• NYSIF does not offer sponsorship for employment visas.
• Candidate must be a New York State resident or willing to relocate.
• Exempt appointments require a background check and annual Financial Disclosure Statement.
• This position is not tenure-bearing, and employment can be altered at any time by either party.