General Counsel

Richmond County District Attorney’s Office seeks an experienced Attorney to serve as General Counsel, reporting directly to the Chief Assistant District Attorney (CADA) and working closely with the RCDA Executive team and leadership.

About the role

The General Counsel will counsel executive leadership and managers on questions of law, fact, and administrative policy; manage RCDA’s regulatory compliance portfolio and labor & employment law compliance portfolio; serve as the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer and litigation liaison.

Responsibilities

• Advise the District Attorney and staff on administrative, ethical, operational, and legal matters.
• Prepare disciplinary charges, memoranda, reports, stipulations, and related documents for investigations and hearings.
• Conduct impartial investigations into discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other EEO violations.
• Maintain confidential investigative files and records in compliance with legal and policy requirements.
• Prepare position statements responding to federal, state, and local discrimination charges.
• Develop and oversee office-wide compliance, discovery, and professional standards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Manage civil claims, subpoenas, and litigation involving the office.
• Develop, review, revise, and implement agency policies to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
• Review contracts, memoranda of understanding, linkage agreements, and related documents for legal compliance.
• Recommend statutory and regulatory changes affecting agency policies and procedures.
• Serve as the agency’s primary liaison with the NYC Law Department, Department of Investigation, Department of Labor, OATH, and other governmental agencies on legal matters.
• Serve as the COIB Liaison, overseeing dual-employment requests and related compliance requirements.
• Provide Special Counsel support to specialized bureaus, including Appeals, Training, and Conviction Integrity.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• Eight years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience after 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.
• Must remain a Member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of employment.

Preferred Skills

• At least five years’ experience as an advisor to an executive team.
• Familiarity with New York City Government Operations within a Law Enforcement agency.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment and labor laws.
• Expertise in EEO, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and workplace investigations.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Experience managing employment disputes, administrative charges, and litigation.
• Strong interviewing, fact-finding, and investigative skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, policies, and agreements.
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and ability to handle confidential matters.
• Strong negotiation, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop and implement workplace policies and compliance programs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to advise executives and staff.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines.

Benefits

• Free city-wide health plan option.
• 5 weeks of annual leave; 12 days of sick leave; and thirteen paid holidays annually.
• Management Benefits Fund, which provides comprehensive dental and vision coverage, access to free life insurance, and gym reimbursement.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Reimbursement for the annual bar association and notary fees.
• Pension plan through the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS).
• Deferred compensation plans – 401(k) and 457.
• Professional development programs including in-house CLE courses.

Pay

$185,000 – $230,000 with full NYC benefits package.

Schedule

Flexible hybrid schedule (in-person and remote work). Managers who work a significant number of hours within a two-week period receive a day off without using accrued leave.

Candidates must be residents of the City of New York or become residents within 90 days of appointment. Authorization to work in the United States is required; sponsorship is not available.