Assistant Counsel

Description Duties Description Looking for a change in pace from the ordinary and mundane? The New York State Gaming Commission seeks a skilled and motivated Assistant Counsel to actively support the Commission’s exciting and important mission to ensure that all lawful gaming and horse racing activity conducted in this State is of the highest integrity, credibility, and quality. The Commission is the State’s regulatory body over all forms of gaming conducted within the State, with varied responsibilities including operation of the $10 billion-per-year New York Lottery and regulation of commercial casinos, mobile sports wagering, Indian casinos, video lottery gaming, interactive fantasy sports, charitable gaming, and horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering in New York State.

Required Prior experience in general litigation is ideal, but prior work in the gaming industry is not required, as substantive training in this interesting, robust, and dynamic area of law is provided to new Assistant Counsels through mentoring and hands-on experience. Reporting to the Deputy Counsel, the Assistant Counsel will perform the following duties and tasks as part of the team in Counsel’s Office:

• Represent the Commission in adjudicatory proceedings and litigation;
• Work with the Office of the New York State Attorney General, local District Attorneys, and outside counsel on various issues including civil actions, criminal prosecutions, and intellectual property;
• Assist with investigations and special projects for Counsel’s Office or the Commission;
• Advise Commission staff and the Commission on general legal and topical issues, best practices, and other matters related to all areas of legal gaming that are regulated by the Commission;
• Draft contracts, agreements, and memoranda;
• Analyze and draft legislation, rules, regulations, and policies;
• Examine compliance with the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law, State Administrative Procedure Act, Tax Law, General Business Law, General Municipal Law, and Commission regulations; and
• Assist with responses to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests submitted to the Commission.

Qualifications Minimum Qualifications

• Admitted to, and a member in good standing of, the New York State Bar
• At least two years of experience in the practice of law
• Excellent legal analysis, research, and writing skills
• Strong organizational, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills
• Litigation experience, including strong verbal communication skills
• Comfort with and experience using technology to complete legal work, including knowledge of and experience with PC applications, such as Microsoft Office, and legal research platforms (currently using LEXIS)
• Meticulous attention to detail and quality control

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school
• Strong background in litigation
• Strong analytical and writing skills

Prohibition Against Playing And Wagering Additional Comments Commission employees and family members residing in their households are prohibited from purchasing Lottery tickets or claiming Lottery prizes. Commission employees are prohibited from wagering upon any horse racing, commercial gaming, video lottery gaming, Indian gaming, charitable gaming activities, interactive fantasy sports, and mobile sports wagering within the State. To avoid any appearance of impropriety of conflict of interest, Commission employees will be prohibited from all aspects of promoting, operating, and playing in any charitable gaming, which includes bingo and games of chance such as raffles, whether the organization conducting the game is required to be licensed by the Commission. The prohibition placed upon each Commission employee from assisting with any charitable gaming does not apply to the employee's family unless the employee thinks it presents a conflict of interest related to his or her job duties. Commission employees must also avoid any outside activities that could interfere or be perceived to interfere with their job duties.

Pre-Employment Restrictions

The law that established the Commission (specifically, Section 107 or the Racing, Pari-mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law) prohibits any person from being employed by the Commission if, during the period commencing three years prior to employment, such person held any interest in, or employment by, any corporation, association or person engaged in gaming activity with the State.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The NYS Gaming Commission is an equal opportunity employer, does not tolerate discrimination in employment, programs, or activities on any basis protected by federal or state law, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants from all communities to apply. Please direct inquiries to the Office for Equal Opportunity at [email protected].

Reasonable Accommodation If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance to fully participate in the application and interview process for the position sought, please contact us at [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.