Assistant Corporation Counsel III

The Assistant Corporation Counsel III provides general legal representation and counsel within City government by trying cases, drafting and analyzing legal opinions, briefs and other materials, preparing briefs and other legal memoranda and conferring with departmental personnel or parties to legal actions in order to try, mediate, negotiate or settle legal issues. Incumbents must have been admitted to the New York State Bar and may perform a wide range of assignments and tasks.

The Assistant Corporation Counsel III develops, presents and argues legal issues in judicial, quasi‑judicial and/or administrative settings with department personnel, other attorneys, hearing officers and/or judges. Although these presentations vary by degree of complexity and formality, they usually involve case preparation and formulation of persuasive argument and presentation. The incumbent prepares detailed, accurate and convincing legal memoranda accompanied by appropriate citations in support of actions taken by the department.

Incumbents independently plan, organize and conduct reviews and analyses of day‑to‑day legal problems, cases and legislative proposals. In addition, incumbents work directly with and provide training and assistance to Assistant Corporation Counsel IIs and Assistant Corporation Counsel/Munis on a case‑by‑case and/or project basis in connection with assigned work. Completed work is expected to be accurate with regard to legal citations and the technical treatment of facts and legal precedents.

Work is reviewed for soundness of approach, proper application of legal principles and consistency with governing policies, procedures and regulations of the City. Incumbent is employed in a confidential relationship with the Corporation Counsel, Senior Deputy Corporation Counsel and Deputy Corporation Counsel, and receives general supervision from the Corporation Counsel, Senior Deputy Corporation Counsel and Deputy Corporation Counsel.

• Oversees routine litigation handled by Assistant Corporation Counsel IIs and Assistant Corporation Counsel/Munis in lower courts and on appeals;
• Works directly with and provides training and assistance to Assistant Corporation Counsel IIs and Assistant Corporation Counsel/Munis on a case‑by‑case and/or project basis in connection with assigned work;
• Commences and defends litigation on behalf of the City of Buffalo, its officers, employees, departments, and agencies (hereinafter “City”) in city, county, state and federal court proceedings by performing all actions necessary in the litigation, including but not limited to, preparing opening statements and summations, arguing motions, examining witnesses, consulting with parties to the proceeding, examining evidence, conducting discovery, preparing briefs and other legal memoranda, negotiating settlements, preparing appeals and advising superiors;
• Prepares and presents arguments at judicial, quasi‑judicial and administrative proceedings, including, grievance arbitration and presides over hearings and proceedings, prepares findings, orders or decisions in an area ranging from employee disciplinary actions, to compliance with contractual and statutory regulations, to defense of claims against the City;

compliance with contractual and statutory regulations, to defense of claims against the City;

• Negotiates and prepares various legal documents, i.e. contracts, agreements and other legal instruments, with outside parties;
• Prepares the necessary legal papers to enforce laws, rules, regulations for services rendered by the City and reviews claims and approves payments;

• interprets and provides verbal and/or written legal opinions on pertinent laws, rules, regulations, procedures, etc.;
• prepares appropriate legal documents to enforce laws, rules, etc.;
• processes court orders and prepares and presents cases at proceedings concerning such actions;
• evaluates and negotiates amount of settlements with parties concerned;

• Gives legal counsel to and writes legal opinions for the City department heads and officers;
• Conducts legal research of statutes, decisions, opinions and other legal sources in order to…