JOB DESCRIPTION

The NYC Law Department is accepting applications from admitted attorneys for the Agency-Based Discovery unit of the Litigation Support Division. The unit works collaboratively with certain major agency clients to help search and retrieve commonly requested records needed in the types of litigation which the Law Department has in high volume. In doing so, Agency-Based Discovery works with agency counsel, information technology, and operational staff to map the relevant procedures and information technology systems.
Under the management of the Director of Agency-Based Discovery, the attorney will learn how client agencies store and organize their records and the systems and procedures used to search and retrieve them. The attorney will also suggest ways to optimize those systems and procedures in support of the Law Department’s litigation needs as well as the client agency’s core mission.
The attorney may also assist the Director in other litigation-related &/or search-and-retrieval electronic record projects, as well as in optimizing the unit’s own systems and procedures.

In connection with all the above, the attorney’s duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Becoming very well versed in the Law Department’s matter management system (including its use by agency clients) and document management system;
• Contacting Law Department client agencies with commonly requested records needed in the types of litigation which the Law Department has in high volume;
• Analyzing their relevant information technology systems and procedures;
• Suggesting potential improvements and helping implement same;
• Managing projects;
• Drafting budget requests and statements of work; and
• Writing for audiences of both attorneys and technologists.

After the completion of orientation, attorneys hired by the Law Department will have the opportunity to elect to work from home under one of the following two programs. The first option allows attorneys to work remotely on a limited and irregular basis. The second option is a Citywide pilot program, which allows participants to select two set days to work from home each week. The two days will need to be approved by the attorney’s division and take into consideration the needs of the division, as the pilot program requires more than 50% staff coverage each day. In addition, if an attorney needs to appear in court, a client meeting or other in-person work related event on a set work from home day, they will need to attend to those in-person responsibilities and will not be able to work from home that day. Participants in the pilot program must set one work from home location where they will work remotely. This pilot program is currently being tested Citywide to determine its efficacy for City agencies and is not yet a permanent program.
To apply, please upload your cover letter, resume, writing sample and a list of three references with contact information as one document under “resume.”

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be law school graduates who are admitted and in good standing with the New York State Bar. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience as a lawyer and in project management, production of electronic records and system analysis, SharePoint, and Excel. Candidates should possess a robust interest in search engines and learning about the Law Department’s matter and document management systems and about the technology in place at other City agencies. Candidates should have strong skills in IT-legal communication, writing, analysis, and creative problem-solving.

• Becoming very well versed in the Law Department’s matter management system (including its use by agency clients) and document management system;
• Contacting Law Department client agencies with commonly requested records needed in the types of litigation which the Law Department has in high volume;
• Analyzing their relevant information technology systems and procedures;
• Suggesting potential improvements and helping implement same;
• Managing projects;
• Drafting budget requests and statements of work; and
• Writing for audiences of both attorneys and technologists