Senior Attorney

Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS)* and applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for this position:
This position may be filled through a traineeship, leading to the journey level title of Senior Attorney:
• Assistant Attorney 1 (equated to SG-18): Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission.
• Assistant Attorney 2 (equated to SG-20): Admission to NYS Bar with less than 12 months of post-Bar satisfactory legal experience.
• Assistant Attorney 3 (equated to SG-22): Admission to NYS Bar and 12 months, but less than 24 months of post-Bar satisfactory legal experience.
• Senior Attorney (SG-25): Admission to NYS Bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.

You may also be appointed to this position if you are currently a New York State employee with one year or more of qualifying permanent service in a position allocated to a Grade 23 or above and eligible for transfer under Section 52.6 or 70.1 of the Civil Service Law AND possess a Juris Doctorate degree, have good standing with NYS Bar admission, and two-years of post-bar experience.

Duties Description Reporting to an Associate Counsel, the incumbent of this position will serve in the Office of Cannabis Management's Office of General Counsel and will manage a portion of the legal portfolio, including but not limited to matters involving legislation and statutory interpretation, regulatory development, licensing, compliance, enforcement, administrative hearings, external litigation, contract review, and other matters fundamental to governmental administration. More generally, the incumbent will assist with carrying out general legal responsibilities for the Office of Cannabis Management (Office) and the Cannabis Control Board (Board), including researching, analyzing and interpreting laws applicable to the Office and Board. The incumbent will also be expected to attend meetings as needed, provide legal advice to Office staff, and communicate well internally and externally.

The ideal candidate will be able to work independently and as a member of a team focused on building an equitable, safe, and legal cannabis industry in New York State. The incumbent should enjoy a fast-paced environment, in which novel issues of law are presented for legal review and analysis on a regular basis.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda with opinions and citations and legal precedents in support of Office and Board programs.
• Represent the Office in administrative matters, including administrative hearings, conduct interviews and prepare witnesses, present evidence, and draft necessary briefs and motions.
• Manage assigned cases and prepare periodic status reports.
• Provide legal counsel, advice, and strategies in support of the Office and Board.
• Respond to daily requests arising from interaction with Office business units or as assigned by the Associate Counsel and General Counsel.
• Participate in and assist with the design, development, and implementation of Memoranda of Understanding, Service-Level Agreements, or other agreements.
• Prepare program bill packages as requested including bill summary, text of legislation and supporting memoranda relating to laws affecting the Office and Board, and evaluate, comment, and make recommendations on legislative proposals in this area by other agencies and the private sector.
• Assist as necessary with preparation and finalization of rules and regulations in support of the Office and Board’s business units including processing in accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act.
• Handle and process FOIL requests on behalf of the Office and Board.
• Other duties may be assigned as appropriate.