General Counsel (Hybrid)

Description:

The New York City Campaign Finance Board manages New York City's small donor democracy program and educates and engages voters via NYC Votes. The CFB has enjoyed a tremendous arc of progress over its 30-year history, and our updated flagship small donor democracy program is the centerpiece of this progress.
We eliminate barriers to participation by providing access to the resources New Yorkers need to vote or run for office and amplify the voices of small donors with New York City's small donor democracy program.
We are dedicated to making New York City's local democracy more open, transparent, and equitable. You would be working with a team that is mission-driven and committed to continuous improvement.
The NYC Campaign Finance Board seeks a General Counsel, as a member of the executive team reporting to the Executive Director and serving as legal advisor to the Executive Director, leadership, and the agency. The General Counsel will be responsible for leading CFB's Legal division, managing enforcement of and compliance with all relevant laws, and representing the agency at hearings, amongst other duties. They must maintain a high-level agency-wide perspective while simultaneously implementing the mission, vision and values of the CFB and moving the organization forward under the Strategic Plan. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Analyze complex legal issues.
• Litigate complex and significant cases, and draft important and complex legislation and policy statements on behalf of the agency.
• Conduct legal research and draft letters and legal memoranda on the agency's behalf.
• Act as liaison with division leadership, supporting with matters of procurement, personnel, EEO and implementation of all relevant laws.
• Provide clear, concise legal and policy advice to the Executive Director, the Board, and other agency leadership on litigation, enforcement matters, administrative proceedings and other legal matters.
• Serve as the agency's liaison with external counsel, NYC Law Department, agency partners, and other enforcement agencies as appropriate.
• Support the Executive Director with legal research, analysis and preparation of public testimony for City Council hearings and other public events.
• Facilitate and assist in the implementation of City Charter and Campaign Finance Act requirements, including but not limited to publishing a schedule of civil penalties, promulgating the Board rules, and organizing the citywide mandatory debate program.
• Leadership and Supervision:
• Directly supervise the day-to-day work of the legal division. (The General Counsel presently has 7 direct reports.)
• Facilitate opportunities for growth and support ongoing professional development of legal division staff.
• Set standards and goals for the Legal division, ensuring that ongoing projects support the agency's overall mission.

Enforcement:

• Assist with implementing enforcement and compliance mechanisms to address possible and actual violations of the City Charter, Campaign Finance Act, Board rules, and other laws within the Board's jurisdiction.
• Supervise and review staff's enforcement work, including referrals from the agency's Audit team, preparation of enforcement notices, preparation of Board memos and appearances, and final board determinations.
• Supervise and review staff's enforcement work before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), pursuant to the rules of OATH, including preparation of litigation materials for trial.
• Manage portfolio of enforcement cases as necessary.
• Supervise and review attorney appearances in New York State Supreme Court Article 78 proceedings.
• Supervise the preparation of enforcement matter summaries for the Press.
• Supervise staff work on Board investigations and complaints.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge:

• Knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and city campaign finance laws and compliance requirements including disclosure, contribution limits, and reporting.
• Knowledge and understanding of federal, state and city election laws relevant to the agency's NYC Votes voter engagement work.
• Knowledge and understanding of litigation processes, including civil, criminal and administrative proceedings.
• Knowledge and understanding of motivational theories and leadership styles and approaches.
• Knowledge and understanding of employment law generally (including principles of equal employment opportunity), with knowledge of employment law in a governmental setting a plus.
• Knowledge and understanding of principles and law related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Familiarity with lobbying and ethics laws and regulations governing public officials.
• Familiarity with New York City procurement laws and policies.
• Familiarity with the New York City legislative and rulemaking processes.
• Familiarity with citywide policies and procedures issued by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services and the Office of Labor Relations.

Skills:

• Proficiency in legal research methods and resources to stay updated on relevant legal developments.
• Strong drafting skills to prepare legal documents, including but not limited to opinions, regulations, and legal briefs.
• Effective communication skills to interact with internal partners, external partners, and the public.
• Negotiation skills to reach agreements and settlements with parties involved in campaign finance and other legal matters.
• Skill in identifying legal challenges and developing strategic solutions to address them.
• Attention to detail in reviewing legal documents and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills to lead the legal team and agency projects to effectively support the agency's mission and goals.
• Interpersonal skills to build relationships with internal partners, such as executives, employees, and board members, as well as external partners.
• Analytical skills to interpret the implications of legal texts, ensuring that determinations are legally sound.
• Demonstrated proficiency in conflict management techniques, including negotiation, mediation, and compromise, while considering the emotional dynamics involved.

Abilities:

• Ability to analyze complex legal issues.
• Ability to provide sound, clear, concise legal advice and guidance to agency leadership.
• Ability to ensure the agency's policies comply with relevant laws and regulations.
• Ability to assess legal risks and implement solutions to mitigate them.
• Ability to engage with agency partners, including elected officials, advocacy groups, and the public, on legal matters.
• Capacity to make informed and ethical decisions in alignment with the agency's mission, values, and legal obligations.
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving legal and regulatory landscapes in the field.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and disputes effectively, both internally and externally.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team on agency and legal matters.
• Ability to develop legal strategy and objectives and provide legal advice that supports the long-term goals of the CFB.
• Ability to motivate, coach, and develop others, as well as influence a group of people to achieve common goals, and implement organizational strategies and change.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information using discretion, professional sensitivity, and sound judgment.
• Ability to communicate effectively across cultures, identities, and backgrounds, and to give and receive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to act with integrity, ethical behavior, and concern for the greater good.
• Ability to connect with others in a meaningful way, to recognize and understand another person's feelings and thoughts, and to use this information to build positive relationships and beneficial interactions.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and guide interactions towards positive outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor with 10 plus years of experience.
• 3 plus years of management experience.

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