Litigation Support Counsel

About the role

The Litigation Support Counsel will serve in the Litigation Support Unit, part of the Infrastructure & Operations Unit within the Bureau of Legal Affairs (BLA) of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Responsibilities

• Tort matters: Directing the work of the Litigation Support Unit’s staff, coordinating with other DEP personnel to implement and revise protocols for searching and compiling electronic and hardcopy records; performing data mapping; tracking matters by function; identifying witnesses, coordinating witness appearances, and providing guidance to witnesses appearing for depositions and testifying at trial; responding to subpoenas; implementing evidence preservation policies; and providing counsel regarding affirmative claims relating to damage to DEP infrastructure.
• BCS-related work: Assisting in reviewing and editing trial court and appellate legal pleadings in affirmative collection litigation, Article 78 proceedings challenging the New York City Water Board’s administrative determinations, and bankruptcy, foreclosure and other litigation arising out of BCS’s operations; settlement negotiations; advising BCS on legal and policy issues relating to procedures, notices and other customer communications; advising BCS on submitting and processing claims relating to unpaid water and wastewater charges on property in bankruptcy or subject to foreclosure; facilitating and providing legal advice to BCS in responding to discovery requests, civil and criminal subpoenas, and FOIL requests; and tracking BCS-related litigation.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either one year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar or six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
• To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III, candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
• Prior litigation experience, primarily focused on torts and particularly including experience with discovery practice and drafting legal pleadings; experience in collections, Article 78, bankruptcy or foreclosure litigation; supervising non-attorney staff; records management and data compilation and analysis, including strong Excel skills; strong organizational and communication skills; ability to multitask and prioritize a large and varying caseload.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: Admission to the New York State Bar; one year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
• Preferred qualifications: Prior litigation experience, primarily focused on torts and particularly including experience with discovery practice and drafting legal pleadings; experience in collections, Article 78, bankruptcy or foreclosure litigation; supervising non-attorney staff; records management and data compilation and analysis, including strong Excel skills; strong organizational and communication skills; ability to multitask and prioritize a large and varying caseload.