Agency Attorney - Engineering and Construction Claims

The New York City Comptroller’s Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller’s office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together.

The Comptroller’s Office of General Counsel leverages the expertise of its diverse team of attorneys to provide high quality legal advice, counsel, and support to the Comptroller and the Agency’s various bureaus. OGC facilitates and advances the Office’s strategic objectives in advising on the various legal and operational opportunities and risks, while ensuring compliance with the Agency’s Charter mandate, as well as local, state, and federal laws.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for handling all legal matters implicated in the work of the Comptroller the City’s independent and chief fiscal watchdog. OGC addresses myriad legal issues, including: compliance and risk management, litigation strategy, municipal finance and pension investment transactions and disclosures, agency audits, settlements of claims brought on behalf of and against the City, employee discipline, records access, public policy, and proposed federal, state, and local legislation. OGC works closely with all of the divisions within the Comptroller’s Office and with various City agencies.

The Bureau of Engineering (BOE) reports to the General Counsel and provides engineering assistance and serves as the Comptroller’s technical consultant on engineering and construction-related matters. BOE analyzes, recommends disposition on, and in concert with OGC, negotiates, settles and adjusts construction and construction-related contract claims and contract disputes in accordance with Section 93(i) of the New York City Charter and the alternative dispute resolution procedures mandated under Section 4-09 of the Procurement Policy Board (PPB) rules.

Under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel of Engineering and Construction Claims and in collaboration with the BOE, the Agency Attorney responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Reviewing complex construction claims and contract disputes, including breach of contract and other high-exposure and high-profile claims;

- Participating in complex settlement conferences and negotiations;

- Drafting determinations for contract disputes, pursuant to the Comptroller's Office's role in the City's contract dispute resolution process;

- Representing the Comptroller’s Office on engineering and construction-related matters and interacting with various City agencies, including the Law Department, as well as with private construction contractors, consultants, law firms, and the public;

- Performing legal research and drafting memoranda on critical issues affecting ongoing litigation, negotiations, and procurement and construction-related policy; and

- Performing related assignments and special projects as required.

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.