Assistant Counsel

Description

Duties Description

The New York State Gaming Commission seeks a highly skilled and intrinsically motivated Assistant Counsel with exceptional skills to provide legal analysis and advice to actively support the Commission’s mission to ensure that all lawful gaming and horse racing activity conducted in this State is of the highest integrity, credibility and quality. The Commission is the State’s regulatory body over all forms of gaming conducted within the State, with varied responsibilities including operation of the $10 billion-per-year New York Lottery and regulation of commercial casinos, mobile sports wagering, Indian casinos, video lottery gaming, interactive fantasy sports, charitable gaming, and horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering in New York State. Reporting to the Deputy Counsel, the Assistant Counsel will perform the following duties and tasks:

• Advise Commission staff on general legal issues and other matters related to all areas of legal gaming that are regulated by the Commission;
• Perform research and keep current on best practices worldwide for gaming regulation and enforcement;
• Represent the Commission in adjudicatory proceedings and litigation;
• Draft contracts and agreements, and the related procurement documents;
• Develop and maintain appropriate applications and licensing forms;
• Draft, revise, and analyze legislation, rules, regulations, and policies;
• Prepare appropriate legal documents and review all work to ensure technical accuracy, completeness, and soundness of approach;
• Perform legal research and preparation of memoranda with analysis regarding topical issues for Commission consideration;
• Analyze and summarize cases and information pertinent to statutes, rules, regulations, policies and opinions relating to gaming;
• Maintain compliance with laws, including the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law, State Administrative Procedure Act, Tax Law, General Business Law, General Municipal Law, and Commission regulations;
• Assist with responses to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests;
• Work with the Office of the New York State Attorney General, local District Attorneys, and outside counsel on various issues including civil actions, criminal prosecutions, and intellectual property;
• Proactively suggest and/or contribute to best practices for Counsel’s Office and across the Commission’s divisions;
• Assist with investigations and special projects for Counsel’s Office or the Commission; and
• Assist in responding to subpoenas issued to the Commission.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must have been admitted to the New York State Bar and must have had two years of experience in the practice of law subsequent to admission to the Bar.

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school;
• Background in litigation and contract drafting and analysis.
  
  

Essential Skills

• Exceptional organization and analytical skills;
• Ability to handle multiple matters under pressure and deadlines;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work independently;
• Excellent judgment and discretion in matters of confidentiality;
• Self-motivated by interesting work and successful results;
• Interest in supporting the Commission’s Mission Statement;
• Meticulous attention to detail and quality control;
• Proficiency in PC applications, such as Microsoft Office;
• Proficiency in electronic legal research (currently using LEXIS); and
• Commitment to public service and the highest integrity.
  
  

Prohibition Against Playing And Wagering

Additional Comments

Commission employees and family members residing in their households are prohibited from purchasing Lottery tickets or claiming Lottery prizes. Commission employees are prohibited from wagering upon any horse racing, commercial gaming, video lottery gaming, Indian gaming, charitable gaming activities, interactive fantasy sports, and mobile sports wagering within the State. To avoid any appearance of impropriety of conflict of interest, Commission employees are prohibited from all aspects of promoting, operating, and playing in any charitable gaming, which includes bingo and games of chance such as raffles, whether the organization conducting the game is required to be licensed by the Commission. The prohibition placed upon each Commission employee from assisting with any charitable gaming does not apply to the employee's family unless the employee thinks it presents a conflict of interest related to his or her job duties. Commission employees must also avoid any outside activities that could interfere, or be perceived to interfere, with their job duties.

Pre-Employment Restrictions

The law that established the Commission (specifically, Section 107 or the Racing, Pari-mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law) prohibits any person from being employed by the Commission if, during the period commencing three years prior to employment, such person held any interest in, or employment by, any corporation, association or person engaged in gaming activity with the State.

The Commission is an equal opportunity employer, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants from all communities to apply.

All salaries are subject to the approval of the Office of the New York State Comptroller.