AGENCY ATTORNEY II

The Commission on Human Rights (the Commission) is the agency charged with enforcing the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) – one of the most expansive civil rights laws in the nation. Through its Law Enforcement Bureau (LEB), the Commission accepts claims filed by the public, and has the power to initiate its own investigations to affirmatively root out discrimination, harassment, retaliation and other violations of the NYCHRL.
The Commission’s Community Relations Bureau (CRB) is empowered to take action against prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, discrimination and bias-related violence or harassment through education, trainings, outreach efforts, and other mechanisms aimed at creating partnerships and relationships with stakeholders in the community. Both bureaus collaborate closely to work towards the shared goal of fostering mutual understanding and respect among all New Yorkers and encouraging equality of treatment throughout the City.

Agency Attorneys, Level Two, work within the Law Enforcement Bureau to enforce the New York City Human Rights Law through pre-complaint interventions, investigations, mediations, settlements, and litigation.

Job Description:

- This position will be within the Law Enforcement Bureau and the case docket will consist of cases in housing, employment, healthcare and public accommodations.
- Interview members of the public alleging claims of discrimination; engaging in pre-complaint interventions, investigations, and file complaints where appropriate.
- Investigate claims of discrimination made by members of the public and pattern or practice violations for potential Commission-initiated actions.
- Negotiate resolutions of claims and drafts settlement agreements. Monitor compliance with settlement agreements.

- Litigate cases from a threshold of determination of probable cause through and including referral to the hearings division.
- Represent the Commission before an Administrative Law Judge at conferences, and engage in discovery, including taking and defending depositions.
- Litigate cases at trial through and including issuance of an Administrative Law Judge’s recommendation and the issuance of a Commission decision and order.
- Provide training and collaborate with the Commission’s Community Relations Bureau to engage in coordinated approaches to rooting out systemic discrimination.
- Represent the Commission at community events, speaking engagements, and at bar associations.
- Perform all duties as needed to advance the work of the Law Enforcement Bureau.

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

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.