Associate Counsel - VID 226241

Duties Description Reporting to a Deputy Counsel, the Associate Counsel will serve on the Licensing, Regulations, and Compliance team within the Office of Cannabis Management’s (OCM) Office of General Counsel (OGC). The Associate Counsel will be responsible for legal support to OCM’s licensing and/or compliance teams and, as directed by the Deputy Counsel, assist with the review and drafting of legislation and regulations, managing the compliance portion of the legal portfolio. The Associate Counsel will be responsible for supervising attorneys and legal assistants within OGC in furtherance of these responsibilities. The Associate Counsel will also be expected to attend meetings as needed, communicate well internally and externally, and be comfortable in the evolving field of Cannabis Law.

Duties include but may not be limited to:

• Work in conjunction with attorneys, paralegals, and administration to create a framework and streamline administrative processes.
• Represent OCM in administrative hearings concerning compliance and licensing matters.
• Train Senior Attorneys or Assistant Counsels, as needed, to represent OCM in administrative hearings.
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda with opinions, citations, and legal precedents in support of OCM and Cannabis Control Board (CCB) programs.
• Provide legal counsel, advice, and strategies in support of OCM and CCB.
• Respond to requests arising from interaction with the public, including reviewing and developing FAQ’s and other guidance affecting licensees and related stakeholders.
• Draft formal and informal comments on licensing, compliance and enforcement legislation affecting OCM.
• Recommend revisions to existing laws and regulations affecting licensing and compliance matters in particular.
• Assist as necessary with preparation and finalization of rules and regulations in support of OCM’s and CCB’s business units, including processing in accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act.
• Full range of supervisory functions and responsibilities, including reviewing/approving timecards, conducting performance reviews, and providing guidance and mentorship to subordinate staff.
• Other duties as assigned by the General Counsel, the First Deputy General Counsel or the supervising Deputy Counsel.

Minimum Qualifications Admission to, and member in good standing of, the New York State Bar and four years of subsequent professional legal experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as an attorney representing an agency in licensing and compliance/enforcement matters, including appearing in administrative proceedings.
• Experience drafting proposed regulations and legislation.

NOTE: IN ORDER TO AWARD THE PROPER CREDIT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE, RESUMES MUST INCLUDE MONTH AND YEAR FOR START AND END DATES. IF ANY OF THIS EXPERIENCE IS LESS THAN FULL TIME YOU MUST INDICATE THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED PER WEEK.

Additional Comments NOTE:

• Travel may be required (approximately 5%), including during evening and weekends, depending on mission and assignment.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Driver’s License issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicle is required or otherwise demonstrate the capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job.

The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) 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. For a full version of OCM’s EEO/AA statement and benefits of joining OCM, please visit: About | Office of Cannabis Management (ny.gov). NYS Office of Cannabis Management does not participate in E-Verify and does not sponsor visa applications.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.