NYC Department of Social Services · 4 days ago
SENIOR ATTORNEY
Manhattan, NY
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
3+ years expThe NYC Department of Social Services is dedicated to fighting poverty and providing essential benefits to New Yorkers in need. The Senior Attorney will represent the agency in legal matters, supervise legal staff, and manage litigation strategies related to intentional program violations.
ConsultingGovernmentNon ProfitSocial
Responsibilities
Provide legal representation of the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services in administrative hearings and state courts on Intentional Program Violation litigation matters including but not limited to Administrative Disqualification Hearings and Article 78 actions by appearing in front of the appropriate administrative or judiciary body to litigate the interests of the agency in regards to intentional program violations of any value or complexity, including those based on fraud, conspiracy, or collusion
Supervise legal staff by developing appropriate litigation strategies or by taking charge of the advocacy of particularly complex legal issues, managing time and leave and providing feedback on case management
Draft and edit legal papers and gather evidence. Conduct legal research; conduct investigations and interview witnesses; prepare written motions, objections and rebuttals and other legal memoranda. Prepare and/or review the evidence packet for sufficiency in establishing clear and convincing evidence of intentional program violation(s)
Lead the preparation and presentation of cases to an outside prosecutorial agency where the anticipated top charge is a class A felony or lower
Collect and review evidence submitted by the client or their counsel, conduct same day conferences to settle the IPV as appropriate
With the guidance of unit management, provide legal counsel to program area(s) and negotiate settlements and stipulations in fraud matters
Develop appropriate litigation strategy by determining the advisability of presenting witnesses, the admissibility of types of evidence, and preparing witnesses for testimony and cross examination, and other matters of legal strategy
Ensure service of the evidentiary packet and notice of hearing is completed appropriately and within expected time standards. Ensure adequate proof of service is presented or available
Maintain case files and update notes into the Office of General Counsel/Fair Hearing case management system records on case status
Ensure timely compliance with Administrative Disqualification Hearing decisions, including but not limited to: referring the disqualified individual to the appropriate unit within the agency for collection, recoupment, and/or sanction of benefits if there is a finding of clear and convincing evidence of an IPV, or ensuring removal of negative case actions and/or recoupments upon a finding of good cause, failure to establish clear or convincing evidence of an IPV, or a successful appeal by the client/household
Qualification
Required
Admission to the New York State Bar
One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar
Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086)
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment
To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment
To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment
Preferred
Knowledge of federal, State and municipal criminal law and procedure
Experience or interest in government
Extensive courtroom and administrative tribunal experience
Superb legal research and writing skills
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
Proven time management skills
Supervisory experience of other attorneys or paralegals
Outstanding communication skills, disposition, and ability to work well alone, and with others
Benefits
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Company
NYC Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS).
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Ann Marie Scalia
General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer
Beatriz Fritschler, MPA
Deputy Commissioner, Strategic Partnerships
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