HLD Agency Attorney L2 for the Housing Litigation Division (HLD)

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation (HPD) promotes quality and affordability in the city's housing, and diversity and strength in the city's neighborhoods because every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love. - We maintain building and resident safety and health - We create opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability - We engage New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity. The Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services (OENS) lead the agency's effort to work closely with other HPD divisions and outside community partners to identify buildings in distress, assess and develop appropriate strategies to address those properties and work closely with responsible owners to develop a plan to improve conditions and return buildings to firm financial footing and physical health. The Housing Litigation Division (HLD) initiates litigation against property owners in Housing Court to ensure compliance with housing standards contained in the New York City Housing Maintenance Code and New York State Multiple Dwelling Law. HLD seeks orders to correct violations, civil penalties, access warrants, 7-a Administrators and appears in tenant-initiated proceedings.

As an Agency Attorney L-2 for the CONH Unit and under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner and/or Supervising Attorney in the Housing Litigation Division, the selected candidate's responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following: Key responsibilities: - Serving as a Staff Attorney litigating cases on behalf of HPD's Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services (OENS) to enforce the NYC Housing Maintenance Code and NYS Multiple Dwelling Law in the Housing Part of New York City Civil Court and on occasion in NYS Supreme Court. - Executing difficult and involved negotiations on behalf of the agency. - Researching and preparing complex briefs, motions, legal opinions, affidavits, memoranda and other legal papers and arguing them before Housing Court. - Preparing for and conducting trials, including but not limited to preparing witnesses and documentary evidence. - Advising on legal aspects of enforcement and administration of acts, rules, laws and regulations related to the enforcement of housing standards.

Preferred Skills: - 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 Intern (30086). - Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment. - Knowledge of NYC Housing Maintenance Code and NYS Multiple Dwelling Law. - Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as proficiency with PC software such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. - Knowledge of the various HPD's internal databases, including but not limited to: HLD's Litigation Management System (LMS) and HPDINFO.

Minimum Qualifications: 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.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement: New York City Residency is not required for this position.

Additional Information: 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.