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Assistant Corporation Counsel

City of Albany
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Attorneys in this role will provide legal counsel to city departments and boards, represent the City of Albany in legal proceedings, collaborate with city leaders and community stakeholders, provide training to city employees, negotiate and draft contracts, ensure the compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and attend public meetings. Candidates should expect to engage in a broad range of municipal legal work, including contract negotiations, litigation defense, legal advisory services, employee discipline matters, and enforcement actions as assigned by Corporation Counsel. 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is professional legal work in the office of the Corporation Counsel. Work assignments are distributed from the Corporation Counsel and involves research, preparation of opinions and motion practice. Duties require the exercise of independent legal judgement but matters of policy are taken to a superior for decision. Work is subject to review by the Corporation Counsel through discussion.   

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  (Illustrative Only) 

  • Research studies; gathers facts, interviews witnesses; draws complaints; prepares pleadings and tries issues of law and fact; 
  • Attends meetings at which ordinances to be drafted are discussed and drafts ordinances and resolutions; 
  • Draws contracts, leases and other legal documents;  
  • Investigates and recommends to a technical superior the adjustment of claims for and against the City; 
  • Sits in on hearings as advisor to department heads and prepares legal opinions;  Represents the city and officers in actions, suits, claims, and proceedings in state and federal courts;  
  • Conducts criminal prosecutions for violations of ordinances;  Submits recommendations to and discusses cases with a technical superior for information and advice; 
  • Enters and retrieves information in an automated information system; 
  • Performs related work as required. 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: 

  • Good knowledge of local and state laws and the established precedents and sources of legal reference involved; 
  • Good knowledge of court procedures and rules of evidence; 
  • Skill in preparing and trying cases; 
  • Ability to organize, interpret and apply legal principles and knowledge to the particular circumstances; 
  • Ability to meet and effectively deal with persons interested in legal matters under consideration; 
  • Working knowledge of personal computers and office equipment; 
  • Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from law school with an LL.B* or J.D.* degree and one (1) year of experience in practicing law.  Preference may be given to a candidate with experience in the practice of civil law. Litigation and contract experience preferred. 

Note: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S.  Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee. 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:  Possession of a valid license to practice law in the State of New York.