Supervising Enforcement Counsel - Worker Protection

• This position may be eligible for remote work for up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Flexible Work Pilot Program.
  
  

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is seeking an experienced litigator to supervise worker protection litigation. The role will involve leading litigation to enforce groundbreaking laws that protect employees and independent contractors. These cutting-edge laws include sick and safe leave laws; scheduling laws that protect fast food and retail workers; and minimum pay rate and other protections for delivery drivers. Since 2014, we have recovered over $250 million for workers through enforcement – more than half of this amount in just the first year of the Mamdani Administration. We have raised pay by over $2 billion via the minimum pay rate we set for delivery workers classified as independent contractors. Most recently, the agency reached a $131settlement with DoorDash to resolve alleged systematic pay violations.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, experienced litigator with excellent writing and editing skills who enjoys creative legal work, a fast-paced environment, and collaborative leadership, and is committed to supporting and developing early-career attorneys.

About DCWP

DCWP is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and our work, visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for the newsletter, or follow us on social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About the Office of Labor Policy & Standards (“OLPS”)

Founded in 2014, the Office of Labor Policy & Standards (“OLPS”) enforces the City’s worker protection laws, including the Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek scheduling laws that protect fast food and retail workers, the Freelance Isn’t Free Act that protects freelancers, and Delivery Worker Laws that protect delivery workers classified as independent contractors. OLPS settles and litigates dozens of large cases a year on behalf of classes of workers who have experienced violations of pay or scheduling rights. We have recovered over $250 million for workers through enforcement and raised pay by over $2 billion via the minimum pay rate for delivery workers classified as independent contractors. Under all laws we enforce, OLPS obtains monetary compensation for workers for violations and brings companies into compliance. Working closely with outside stakeholders, OLPS also advocates for new laws, performs research and data analysis to make policy recommendations, and conducts outreach and education to workers, employers, and the general public. Thanks to Mayor Mamdani’s historic investment in worker protection, the Office of Labor Policy & Standards is significantly expanding over the next two years. More information about our office is available at nyc.gov/workers.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Minimum Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to 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.

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Preferred Skills

What We’re Looking For - At least 6 years of litigation experience – fact development, drafting pleadings, discovery, dispositive motion practice, and trials. - Experience with employment litigation or class action litigation. - Supervision and management experience. - Experience working with software engineers or data analytics professionals. - Commitment to social justice and civil rights. - Interest in addressing the challenges faced by low-wage workers. - The ability to establish rapport and interact effectively and respectfully with multi-functional teams comprised of attorney and non-attorney staff. - The ability to problem-solve creatively. - Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and analytical skills. - The ability to effectively manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines. - Fluency in a language other than English.

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.