Assistant Counsel

Overview

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) is a unique state agency that touches a wide range of fields: public safety, clemency, criminal investigations, medical, education, industries, trades, re-entry, counseling, food service, disciplinary hearings and arbitrations, ministerial, and investigations. Within the Office of Counsel, an assistant counsel provides legal advice to the various divisions within the agency as well as oversight and support to state and private counsel in litigation against the Department.

In addition, an assistant counsel prepares and conducts hearings before an Administrative Law Judge before the Division of Human Rights. An assistant counsel plays an important role liaising between the Department and the Office of the Attorney General in litigation against the Department in federal and state courts. In this role they monitor litigation status by reviewing pleadings, discovery demands, affidavits and preparing internal memoranda related to proposed settlement negotiations.

An assistant counsel may be asked to perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Commissioner and Counsel, including but not limited to, advising Department staff on legal issues related to contracts and procurement activity, visitation appeals, and responding to legal representatives for members of the incarcerated population.

Within the Office of Counsel, an assistant counsel provides legal advice to the various divisions within the agency as well as oversight and support to state and private counsel in litigation against the Department. In addition, an assistant counsel prepares and conducts hearings before an Administrative Law Judge before the Division of Human Rights. An assistant counsel plays an important role liaising between the Department and the Office of the Attorney General in litigation against the Department in Federal and State courts.

In this role they monitor litigation status by reviewing pleadings, discovery demands, affidavits and preparing internal memoranda related to proposed settlement negotiations. An assistant counsel may be asked to perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Commissioner and Counsel, including but not limited to, advising Department staff on legal issues related to contracts and procurement activity, visitation appeals, and responding to legal representatives for members of the incarcerated population.

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.

Additional Comments Travel, telecommuting, and work hours to be discussed at time of interview.