The legal profession in New York City is known for its competitive landscape and attractive compensation. For attorneys considering public service, understanding the landscape of lawyer salaries in New York, particularly within government agencies, is crucial. This article delves into lawyer salaries in New York, focusing on opportunities within the New York City Law Department, offering valuable insights for legal professionals seeking roles in the public sector.
The New York City Law Department serves as the legal counsel for the City of New York, representing the City in a wide array of legal matters. From defending the City in litigation to providing legal advice on policy and legislation, the Law Department offers diverse career paths for attorneys. Understanding the salary expectations within this department is a key factor for prospective candidates.
While specific salaries can vary based on experience, division, and role, the NYC Law Department provides salary ranges for various Assistant Corporation Counsel positions, offering a transparent view into public sector lawyer compensation in New York. Let’s explore some of the divisions within the Law Department and the salary brackets they offer, based on recent job postings.
Exploring Salary Ranges Across NYC Law Department Divisions
The NYC Law Department is structured into numerous divisions, each specializing in different areas of law. Here’s a look at some divisions and the advertised salary ranges for Assistant Corporation Counsel positions within them:
Administrative Law and Regulatory Litigation Division
Attorneys in this division handle legal proceedings related to City agencies responsible for public health, land use, and various regulations. The salary range for an Assistant Corporation Counsel in this division is $87,550 – $175,100. This division offers opportunities to litigate cases involving constitutional claims and challenges to city regulations, requiring strong litigation and advocacy skills.
Affirmative Litigation Division
This division focuses on cases where the City acts as the plaintiff, advancing key policy interests and protecting the City’s financial interests. For an Intellectual Property Litigation Attorney role within this division, the salary range is $118,450-$182,310. This specialized role demands experience in federal court and intellectual property law, reflecting a higher salary range due to the expertise required.
Appeals Division
Attorneys in the Appeals Division handle appeals from various Law Department divisions, appearing before federal and state appellate courts. Two different Assistant Corporation Counsel positions were listed in this division with salary ranges of $87,550-$154,500 and $87,550–$175,100. The variation might reflect different levels of experience or specific responsibilities within the division. These roles emphasize strong writing, research, and analytical skills for appellate advocacy.
Commercial and Real Estate Litigation Division
This division deals with litigation concerning public contracts and real estate matters. A Division Chief position is advertised with a salary of $231,092.00, reflecting the high level of responsibility and experience required for a leadership role. An Assistant Corporation Counsel (Part Time) position in the same division has a salary range of $41.42 – $85.25 per hour. This highlights the range of roles and compensation structures available within a single division, from leadership to part-time positions.
Ethics and Compliance Division
The Ethics and Compliance Division ensures the Law Department’s adherence to legal and ethical standards. An Assistant Corporation Counsel – Special Counsel for Information Law position in this division has a salary range of $84,975 – $175,100. This role, focused on information law and compliance, commands a salary range comparable to litigation-focused roles, reflecting the importance of these specialized legal skills.
Family Court Division
Attorneys in the Family Court Division handle cases related to child support and juvenile delinquency. Several Assistant Corporation Counsel positions are listed in this division, including roles in the Interstate Child Support Unit and Juvenile Delinquency Unit, all with a salary range of $87,550 – $175,100. The Advanced Litigation and Major Case Unit within the Family Court Division also lists the same salary range, $87,550 – $175,100, indicating a consistent salary scale for Assistant Corporation Counsel roles across different units within this division.
General Litigation Division
This division handles complex federal court litigation challenging City policies and programs across diverse areas. The salary range for an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the General Litigation Division is $87,550.00 – $175,100.00. These roles demand experience in federal court litigation and strong analytical and writing skills to address complex legal and constitutional issues.
Legal Counsel Division
The Legal Counsel Division provides legal advice to the Mayor, elected officials, and City agencies on a broad spectrum of municipal law issues. Assistant Corporation Counsel positions in this division are advertised with salary ranges of $84,975 – $175,100 and $87,550–$175,100. These counseling roles require strong legal analysis, writing skills, and the ability to advise on policy and legislative matters.
Mayor’s Office
Working directly within the Mayor’s Office offers a unique legal career path in public service. A Senior Counsel position in the Mayor’s Chief Counsel’s Office has a salary range of $125,000–$175,000. This senior role requires extensive legal experience and the ability to provide guidance on a wide range of legal and policy matters directly to the Mayor’s Office.
Municipal Finance Division
Attorneys in the Municipal Finance Division work on bond transactions and corporate governance for the City. A Division Chief position has a salary of $221,450, reflecting the leadership and specialized expertise required in municipal finance. An Assistant Corporation Counsel position in this division offers a salary range of $97,850.00-$118,450.00, indicating a slightly higher starting range compared to some other divisions, potentially due to the specialized nature of municipal finance law.
Special Federal Litigation Division
This division defends the City in federal civil rights cases, often involving allegations of police or correction officer misconduct. Assistant Corporation Counsel positions are advertised with a salary range of $87,550- $175,100 and $87,550–$175,100. These roles require federal court litigation experience and strong advocacy skills in civil rights law.
Tort Division
The Tort Division handles personal injury and property damage cases against the City. Assistant Corporation Counsel positions in this division have salary ranges of $82,891 – $162,267, $87,550.00 – $175,100.00, and $87,550–$175,100, demonstrating a variation based on specific units or responsibilities within the division. These roles require strong litigation skills and experience in personal injury law.
Workers’ Compensation Division
Attorneys in the Workers’ Compensation Division represent the City in workers’ compensation claims. An Assistant Corporation Counsel position in this division has a salary range of $84,975-$113,300. This role, focused on administrative hearings and workers’ compensation law, offers a slightly lower salary range compared to some litigation-heavy divisions, reflecting the nature of the work.
Factors Influencing Lawyer Salaries in New York City
Several factors influence lawyer salaries in New York City, and within the NYC Law Department:
- Experience: As evident from the salary ranges, experience plays a significant role. More experienced attorneys, especially for senior roles like Division Chief or Senior Counsel, command higher salaries.
- Division and Specialization: Certain specialized areas of law, such as intellectual property or municipal finance, may offer higher salary potential due to the niche expertise required.
- Role and Responsibility: Leadership positions like Division Chief naturally carry higher salaries due to the management and oversight responsibilities. Even within Assistant Corporation Counsel roles, variations in salary ranges might reflect different levels of responsibility or complexity of cases handled.
- Public vs. Private Sector: Public sector lawyer salaries, like those at the NYC Law Department, generally tend to be lower than those in large private law firms in New York City. However, they offer competitive benefits, job security, and the intrinsic rewards of public service.
Conclusion: Public Service and Competitive Compensation in NYC
The NYC Law Department offers a wide array of opportunities for attorneys seeking to serve the public in New York City. While lawyer salaries in the public sector might not reach the heights of top private firms, the NYC Law Department provides competitive compensation packages, particularly for Assistant Corporation Counsel roles, with salaries ranging from approximately $82,000 to $182,000+ depending on the division, experience, and specific position.
For lawyers passionate about public service and seeking a diverse and challenging legal career in New York, the NYC Law Department presents a compelling option with transparent salary ranges and opportunities for professional growth across numerous legal domains. By exploring the different divisions and roles, attorneys can find positions that align with their career goals and salary expectations within the vibrant New York City legal landscape.
