Assistant Corporation Counsel – Tort

The NYC Law Department is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Unit Chief of the Special Litigation Unit. Under the supervision of the Unit Chief and the Deputy Unit Chief of the Special Litigation Unit, the duties of Assistant Unit Chief may include, but are not limited to:

• training, supervision, and assigning sensitive personal injury cases and associated tasks to attorneys;
• organizing and leading staff meetings;
• developing and implementing litigation strategies;
• assisting in the development of trial strategy, monitoring, and reporting on trial developments;
• reviewing and editing attorneys’ written work;
• identifying and recommending matters for settlement, drafting settlement memoranda, and negotiating settlements;
• drafting master papers and forms;
• organizing workflow and coverage;
• developing and delivering training modules;
• interfacing with City and outside agencies to process requests for legal representation, ensure smooth flow of discovery and witness production, and build critical relationships;
• oversight of accurate data entry of litigation events;
• ensuring that court-ordered and summary judgment deadlines are met;
• ensuring comprehensive preparation of the team's caseload;
• ensuring that deposition reports are completed and reviewed;
• conducting regular note-of-issue and other case reviews;
• recommending and overseeing the retention of expert witnesses;
• preparing intake summaries for all new matters and ensuring the intake database is regularly updated by attorneys;
• managing special projects; and
• AUCs may handle a small caseload through all phases of litigation, including conducting hearings/depositions, preparing pleadings and discovery responses, drafting and arguing affirmative motions, interviewing witnesses, retaining expert witnesses, attending court conferences, and engaging in all aspects of trial work where necessary.
  
  

After the completion of orientation, attorneys hired by the Law Department will have the opportunity to elect to work from home under one of the following two programs. The first option allows attorneys to work remotely on a limited and irregular basis. The second option is a Citywide pilot program, which allows participants to select two set days to work from home each week. The two days will need to be approved by the attorney’s division and take into consideration the needs of the division, as the pilot program requires more than 50% staff coverage each day. In addition, if an attorney needs to appear in court, a client meeting or other in-person work related event on a set work from home day, they will need to attend to those in-person responsibilities and will not be able to work from home that day. Participants in the pilot program must set one work from home location where they will work remotely. This pilot program is currently being tested Citywide to determine its efficacy for City agencies and is not yet a permanent program.

To apply, please upload your cover letter, resume, writing sample and a list of three references with contact information as one document under “resume.”

ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL - 30112

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must be admitted in New York (and if not already admitted in SDNY and EDNY will need to be), and should have substantial tort-related legal experience; demonstrated exceptional organizational, managerial, and supervisory abilities; strong legal analytical skills; solid knowledge of municipal tort law, the CPLR, and evidentiary issues; solid knowledge of and experience in personal-injury-case evaluation and valuation of injuries; strong negotiation skills; excellent interpersonal skills; excellent judgment; trial experience a plus, but not a prerequisite; experience in Federal court a plus, but not a prerequisite.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.