Job Description

Ours is a tiny office that delivers big wins for a city on the cutting edge of progressive reform. We are creative problem solvers who work closely with elected officials, transforming lofty ideals into measurable change and enforceable standards. In just the last 12 months, we have prevailed in uncomplicated but meaningful City Court trials, contentious land use disputes, and complex appellate litigation. We recently helped lawmakers revise zoning provisions, voting districts, and tax programs. We also successfully defended our city’s groundbreaking rent stabilization law in the N.Y. Court of Appeals.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES : Performs professional, highly responsible legal services for the city; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS : This is professional legal work of more than ordinary difficulty calling for the application of the principles and practices of law within broadly defined limits. The work calls for the exercise of independent judgment under the general supervision of the Corporation Counsel. Work assignments are distributed by the Corporation Counsel and involve research into all areas of State and local government law, as well as motion practice in State and federal courts. The attorney must demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, self-motivation, sound legal judgment, and capacity for professional growth.

Typical Work Activities:

• Researching novel legal issues.
• Developing facts and formulating legal strategies in collaboration with non-lawyer experts.
• Independently preparing first drafts of court documents.
• Reviewing and revising municipal contracts.
• Representing the City in local, State, and federal courts.
• Providing real-time support during board and committee meetings.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Intellectual curiosity, tenacity, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Discretion.
• Comfort with cross-cultural communication.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of common law and of city, State and federal laws, especially in the fields of criminal law, law of municipal corporations and administrative law.
• Thorough knowledge of civil court procedure and of the rules of evidence.
• Thorough knowledge of the general functions and administrative activities of the city government.
• Skill in preparing and drafting legal instruments.
• Ability to analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems.
• Good command of language.
• Initiative.
• Tact and courtesy.
• Good professional judgment.
• Good address.
• Good physical condition. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Extensive experience in the practice of law and graduation from a law school of recognized standing; Or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training sufficient to indicate the ability to do the
• work. 

Special Requirement for Appointment: A License to practice law in New York State.

About City of Kingston:

We are dedicated to recruiting and retaining the most qualified people for positions in local government. Most jobs in local government fall under the Civil Service system. A "Civil Service" employee can be anyone from a secretary, Police Officer, Fire Fighter, a mechanic or a supervisor for a department. Different jobs have different requirements. Some jobs require that you take an examination to be considered for a permanent job. These are called competitive positions. There are three types of positions that have no examination requirements: Exempt positions are those where the employer decides the qualifications of applicants and chooses the person they want to hire. The process is similar to that found in private industry. Non-competitive positions have specific education and experience requirements that you must meet. Employers choose from among the qualified people who apply. Labor positions have no requirements. Employers may choose anyone for these jobs. If you are interested in a position with the City of Kingston, whether it be a tested or non-tested position, you must complete the Application for Examination and Employment which can be found on our website at

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office, Local area,

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