Special Counsel

Mayor’s Office for International Affairs

Position:
Special Counsel

Job Number: 43501

The Agency You’ll Join

The New York City Mayor’s Office is responsible for overseeing city services throughout the five

boroughs, coordinating public agencies and departments, and managing public property. New York

City Mayor Eric Adams is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. Previously,

Mayor Adams has served the people of New York City as an NYPD officer, state senator, and Brooklyn

borough president. The Adams’ administration is leading the fight to serve the people of the greatest

city in the world, ensuring delivery of efficient and effective services, working to make New York City’s

economy stronger, reducing inequality, improving public safety, and making the city more affordable

that meets the needs of all New Yorkers. We value leadership, transparency, fairness, and efficiency as

we actively seek diverse talents from various sectors to join our team. For current job opportunities

visit our careers page.

The Team You’ll Work With

The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs (Office) serves as the liaison between the City and New

York City’s international community, which includes 193 Permanent Missions, 115 Consulates and 75

trade commissions and the headquarters of the United Nations. The Office functions as a global

platform from which the City promotes its goals for a more just and equitable society, showcases the

diversity of New Yorkers and shares best practices with the world. The Office also works to foster

positive relations and to encourage collaboration between the international community and New York

City’s agencies and local neighborhoods.

The Problems You’ll Solve

The Special Counsel (SC) will oversee the legal operations of the Office. Specifically, the SC is the key

legal advisor to the Commissioner and provides strategic legal guidance on operational, administrative,

and programmatic activities of the Office as well as on the handling of diplomatic incidents and other

international legal matters affecting the City. The SC liaises with the Mayor’s Office, the New York City

Law Department, the New York City Council, New York State, the U.S. Department of State, the United

Nations, and foreign governments on a range of complex legal matters and issues.

The Special Counsel’s duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as legal advisor to the Commissioner, the International Affairs staff, and City agencies

on international legal matters, including relevant diplomatic privileges and immunities resulting

from the presence of the United Nations and foreign government representatives in the City.

• Responding to requests from the New York City Law Department and assisting with litigation on

diplomatic incidents, advising and training law enforcement on the application of diplomatic

immunities and consular notification.

• Drafting legal memos relating to conflicts and ethics, MOUs, and agreements on behalf of the

International Affairs team.

• Coordinating with the Office of the Chief Counsel to the Mayor and City Hall on legal issues that

impact the Mayor’s Office.

• Assisting with the resolution of complex issues concerning the interactions of the United

Nations and foreign government representatives with City local businesses and residents.

• Consulting with the United Nations and the diplomatic and consular corps concerning U.S.

federal, state and local laws.

• Providing guidance related to local laws and regulations affecting resident diplomatic and

consular representatives, including parking rules, health and safety codes, and payment of

appropriate real estate taxes.

• Managing complex, significant matters that cut across legal and related areas.

• Conducting research and analysis of legal questions and preparing memoranda and opinions

setting forth research results, recommendations, and conclusions in a variety of legal and non-

legal areas.

• Keeping current on legislative issues, statutes, decisions, and other important legal

developments that may affect the Office’s work.

• Attending relevant interagency and external meetings, diplomatic and consular receptions, and

City events as a representative of the Office.

• Co-managing emergencies related to the diplomatic community and foreign-born New Yorkers.

• Developing engagement opportunities for the diplomatic community.

• Performing other duties and managing special projects as assigned.

About You

• You have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar

Association, with admission to the New York State Bar required.

• You have a minimum of five years practicing law with relevant work experience.

• You have overall broad legal knowledge of and experience in international law.

• You have excellent communication skills: written, oral, and negotiation skills, including ability to

convey complex information to a variety of audiences.

• You have strong drafting, research, analytical, and negotiation skills.

• You have proven general counsel experience in government environment, preferred.

• You have the ability to develop legal strategy and objectives.

• You have excellent judgment with high degree of professional ethics and integrity.

• You have experience developing and managing relationships involving diverse groups and

individuals.

• You have knowledge of key players and constituencies in New York City government and New

York’s international community.

• You have excellent interpersonal and listening skills.

• You must have the ability to work independently; actively seek collaboration; support

colleagues in their work and work in a multicultural, multilingual environment.

• You must have excellent planning and organizational skills and be able to effectively juggle

multiple projects with superior attention to detail.

• You must be results-oriented and have a demonstrated ability to acquire understanding and

absorb new information rapidly.

• You have the ability to be flexible, adaptable, and to work under pressure in a fast-paced

environment, while managing competing priorities.

Salary

The City of New York Office of the Mayor’s compensation package includes a market competitive

salary, equity for all full-time roles and exceptional benefits. Our cash compensation range for this role

is $150,000 to $170,000.

Final offers may vary from the amount listed based on candidate experience and expertise, and other

factors.

Apply Now!

Equal Opportunity | Diversity Equity & Inclusion Statement

The Office of the Mayor is an 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.

The Adams Administration values diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences that is reflective of

the city it serves. Applicants of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged and welcome to apply.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable

accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on

this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by EEO at

EEO@cityhall.nyc.gov.

New York City Residency Is Required Within 90 Days of Appointment