Assistant Counsel

FOIL Attorney/Assistant Counsel Duties

• Advises FOIL staff on legal issues related FOIL requests. The Assistant Counsel will assist with FOIL appeal determinations and advise on FOIL- related Article 78 defenses.
• Assists with Department wide FOIL training.
• Implements Department policy and legal mandates related to FOIL requests.
• Collaborates with the Deputy Counsel and/or designees on strategic initiatives involving FOIL Unit request processes, database enhancements, and workflow improvements.
• Handles other requests for records on a special basis, including those involving challenging or complicated document retrieval issues, as well as requests requiring coordination among multiple offices.
• Responds to inquiries concerning legal issues from facility and Central Office staff. Drafts letters and responses on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner and Counsel.
• Functions as liaison between the Department and the Office of Attorney General (OAG) for specified lawsuits. Assists the OAG with preparing answers to pleadings, discovery demands and affidavits.
• Drafts internal memoranda on litigation status and proposed settlement negotiations.
• Responds to correspondence and telephone calls from legal representatives and responds to letters from incarcerated individuals.
• Represents the Department in Administrative Law hearings that will include Human Rights cases related to employees; incarcerated individual issues, and other legal matters such as visitation appeals.

$93,659 - $118,388/year

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. Experience with litigation and/or compliance with FOIL requests is preferred, but not required.

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

If interested, please send cover letter and resume to the email of the contact listed and include the vacancy r.