Join the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) as an Agency Attorney III and play a key role in shaping the strategies that protect and strengthen the agency’s mission.
The Tort Division is expanding its efforts to efficiently resolve claims and actions by growing a specialized, high-impact settlement unit. As part of this team, the selected candidate will help drive fair, cost-effective outcomes that support NYCHA and the residents we serve. Selected candidate will collaborate closely with colleagues, outside counsel, investigators, and NYCHA leadership to develop informed strategies for claim resolution. This role offers a dynamic litigation environment involving meaningful public-sector work, hands-on negotiation experience, and the opportunity to influence how claims are evaluated and resolved by NYCHA city-wide.
In this position, the selected candidate will:
- Manage a caseload of tort claims and actions, developing defense strategies and guiding outside counsel and investigative firms.
- Conduct legal analysis to support dispositive motion practice and drive negotiated resolutions through settlement conferences, “blockbuster” court calendars, and mediations.
- Draft clear and concise case abstracts summarizing facts, legal issues, and procedural posture for settlement valuation.
- Review and analyze claims, pleadings, discovery, medical records, and reports from multiple stakeholders.
- Evaluate each matter to determine the most strategic path toward resolution by motion practice, settlement, trial, or appeal.
- Set reserves, seek appropriate settlement authority, and negotiate resolutions.
- Review and adjust vendor invoices for compliance with NYCHA retainer agreements.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding all NYCHA proceedings.
We are looking for an attorney who brings sound judgment, strong analytical tools, and a collaborative spirit. The strongest candidates will have:
1. Experience defending municipalities in personal injury actions.
2. Background in toxic tort litigation, including mold, lead, or asbestos matters.
3. Demonstrated skill advising landlord-clients on tort liability and claims resolution.
Additional Information
1. Resume and cover letter must also include bar admission date(s) (month and year). Candidates must also provide two writing samples representing the candidate’s efforts, not those of a reviewer; three references, listing their professional association and the circumstances under which they became familiar with the candidate’s professional skills; a copy of law school transcript; current and/or minimum salary requirements.
2. NYCHA employees applying for transfer, promotion, title or level change opportunities must have served a period of one year at current location and in current title and level (if applicable).
3. NYCHA residents are encouraged to apply.
4. NYCHA provides benefits that include a choice of medical coverage plans, deferred compensation plans and a defined pension benefit plan as a member of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS).
Please read this posting carefully to make certain you meet the minimum qualification requirements before applying to this position.
AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087
Minimum Qualifications
1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at
https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement
NYCHA has no residency requirements.
Additional Information
The City of New York 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.