Associate Counsel
Grade Equivalent: M3
Job Description: Under the direction of the Commission's General Counsel, the Associate Counsel performs legal duties for the Commission.
Duties of this position may include, but are not limited to:
Advisory Opinions
- Conduct necessary research.
- Prepare draft formal and informal advisory opinions in a timely manner.
Investigations
- Plan strategy for all cases in conjunction with members of the Investigative Unit.
- Conduct or assist in the interviewing of witnesses or other parties.
- Assist in the preparation of a final report, recommending further action or closing of the case.
Administrative Hearings and Civil Penalty Hearings
- Review case files, assess strengths and weakness of Commission's position.
- Represent the Commission at hearings; prepare witnesses; display a thorough knowledge of the facts and the law.
- Recommend a settlement, if appropriate, and in the best interest of the Commission.
Agency Liaison
- Establish and maintain contact with ethics officers in assigned State agencies.
- Conduct training offered by the Commission to State agencies and participate in other training programs, conferences and panels on the topics of ethics and lobbying laws.
- Offer advice to State agencies regarding their rules relating to possible conflicts of interest between private interests and official duties of State officers and employees.
Financial Disclosure
- Review requests for exemption submitted by unions, agencies and individuals; prepare decisions for Executive Director's signature.
- Review financial disclosure statements in conjunction with investigative staff for possible violations.
- Review disclosure statements prior to public inspection.
Lobbying Registration and Reporting Process
- Maintain Lobbying Act guidelines.
- Review registration and reporting filings in conjunction with Investigative staff.
- Review requests for late fee waivers from lobbyists, clients and public corporations.
- Provide advice to Program Operations and Compliance staff on lobbying issues.
Procurement Lobbying
- Advise Counsel and program staff on procurement procedures and practices in State agencies.
- Draft procurement policies and procedures for the Commission as required under State Finance Law.
- Draft all contracts for Commission procurements.
- Review all Commission procurement material for adherence to State procurement requirements and practices prior to final submission for approval by Department of Law and Office of State Comptroller.
Legislation and Litigation
- Prepare memoranda with the Commission's position on legislative proposals.
- Review enabling legislation and prepare amendments as may be necessary.
- Prepare material for Attorney General's Office or outside counsel for litigation involving the Commission.
- Review and prepare legal analysis of any Executive Orders and rules and regulations that must be implemented by all State agencies as it applies to the Commission.
- Review daily bill summaries and New York Session laws for bills that have been introduced that may affect the Commission; review committee agendas and attend committee meetings that include the aforementioned bills; track the movement of bills and prepare written reports for General Counsel and Executive Director.
- Research and draft Commission annual legislative proposals.
Special Projects
- Develop and execute a special project related to ethics or lobbying; confer with General Counsel.
- Undertake special projects assigned by the Executive Director or General Counsel.
Other Related Duties
- Work with Public Information Officer to develop news articles on opinions and cases.
- Prepare information for the annual report or other informational brochures.
- Supervise law clerks and support staff, as appropriate.
- Respond to telephone inquires regarding Public Officers Law and Lobbying Act provisions, Commission's regulations, financial disclosure requirements, Lobbying law requirements, etc.
- Travel to accomplish job duties, as appropriate.
This position is deemed temporary pending a written performance evaluation with an overall rating of effective or higher after six months of continuous employment.
QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must have been admitted to the New York State Bar, be in good standing and must have had a minimum of 3 to 5 years experience in the practice of law subsequent to admission to the Bar.