General Attorney

Reporting to New York State Insurance Fund’s (NYSIF) Executive Director & CEO and Board of Commissioners (Board), the General Attorney is responsible for managing NYSIF’s legal affairs in accordance with Workers’ Compensation Law § 84.

Responsibilities

• Act as a confidential legal advisor to NYSIF’s Executive Director & CEO, Board of Commissioners (Board), 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 the existing statutory and regulatory framework.
• Employ and compensate special counsel for matters involving special difficulty, using NYSIF’s financial resources.
• 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 (including appeals), 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, Office of the Inspector General, Department of Financial Services, Office of the State Comptroller, and the Legislature.
• Conduct litigation management, including oversight of outside counsel, case strategy, settlement guidance, and coordination with the Office of the Attorney General.
• Negotiate, draft, and review contracts and legal documents, including real estate leases, property acquisitions, limited partnership agreements, and procurements.
• 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 other public information documents.
• Prepare proposed legislation and supporting memoranda, providing legal counsel on complex matters.
• Interpret the impact of legislation and court decisions, evaluating bills for their effect on agency operations.
• Report to the Executive Director & CEO and Board on regulatory and securities compliance, including drafting policies such as Investments Department Emerging Manager Policies, MWBE Financial Institution Strategies, Proxy Voting Guidelines, and Investment Policy Statements.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• Ten (10) years of postgraduate legal experience, with five (5) years in the supervision of other attorneys in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity, 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.

NYSIF does not offer sponsorship for employment visas. Candidates must be a New York State resident or willing to relocate. This position is exempt and requires completion of a background check and annual Financial Disclosure Statement.

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).