Assistant General Counsel

About the role

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.

The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve.

• Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
• Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
• Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
• Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
• Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs

Working in OCME's Legal Department allows the selected candidate to have unique experience at the cutting edge of forensic science, forensic pathology, and criminal law. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to practice and learn both criminal and civil law, including a diverse array of employment, contracts, conflicts of interest, privacy, and other fields, with day-to-day work that is never the same and supports the public interest. Current employees in a similar role are able to consistently work regular, predictable hours.

Under the direction of the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, the selected candidate will have duties which include, but are not limited to:

• Providing legal advice to agency personnel, including to laboratories, forensic pathology, human resources, and other units.
• Drafting and reviewing contracts, including data sharing agreements.
• Reviewing and interpreting court orders related to the DNA laboratory.
• Monitoring litigation involving the agency and interacting with litigation counsel.
• Assisting with subpoena, records requests, and criminal and civil discovery legal advice and productions.
• Draft administrative subpoenas as needed to assist medical examiners and medico-legal investigators.
• Assisting Agency witnesses with preparation for civil and criminal court appearances if necessary.
• Handling Freedom of Information Law requests.
• Reviewing scientific research proposals, surveillance studies, and human subject research submissions involving the Agency.
• Reviewing and analyzing local, state, and federal law and legislative recommendations and proposals related to forensic science and subject matters which may impact the Agency.
• Communicating with next of kin, otherwise authorized persons, attorneys, and/or estate administrators, as necessary, in connection with Agency cases.
• Assisting with Agency outreach to the City's Conflict of Interest Board.
• Assisting with City-wide data and information reporting obligations.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with scientific laboratories (including DNA and toxicology laboratories) and/or forensic pathology, mortuary operations, or medical examiners.
• Experience with criminal prosecution/defense, particularly in New York City.
• Experience with contract drafting/review.
• Experience with labor and employment or human resource matters.
• Three years or more of legal experience.

Special Note

• Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing.
• This position has been identified as essential. During emergency events, essential positions may require 24-hour availability.

Work Authorization

Authorization to work in the United States is not required to apply for this position, however authorization is required before employment can begin. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all qualifying requirements for this position at the time of employment. The City of New York may be able to provide assistance with employment-based visa sponsorship, but OCME cannot guarantee sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including STEM/OPT visas.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
• 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.

In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements

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.