General Counsel, MOME

The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) is a mission‑driven agency that supports and strengthens New York City’s creative economy. It comprises four divisions: the Film Office; NYC Media, the city’s largest television and radio broadcasting entity; Creative Sector Programs, which supports workforce development across film, television, theater, music, publishing, advertising, and digital content; and the Press Credentials Office, which issues journalist credentials. General Counsel – Overview The General Counsel will serve as the chief legal officer for MOME, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer or Commissioner. The role involves partnering with executive staff across all divisions to handle legal matters, support major projects, and develop agency policies, procedures, and plans. The counsel will also work closely with the City Law Department and the Office of Technology and Innovation, bringing significant government‑agency experience and strong emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and a sense of humor to the position. While an entertainment‑law background is helpful, the primary focus is on administrative law for a governmental agency. Key Responsibilities Provide advice on legal matters related to the administration of a New York City government agency. Counsel MOME staff on First Amendment, broadcast, procurement, conflicts of interest, employment, intellectual property, and transparency laws. Collaborate with senior staff to develop and execute strategic plans supporting MOME’s mission. Lead and mentor a team of four early‑ to mid‑career attorneys. Draft and review a high volume of contracts, including intellectual property licenses, procurement and real‑estate contracts, grant agreements, end‑user license agreements, programming agreements, appearance consents, marketing and credit agreements, MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING, and other contractual documents. Prepare public‑facing documents that explain laws in plain language. Oversee MOME’s legislative and rule‑making agenda, including commentary on bills, rule drafting, and monitoring of the legislative process. Review legal content for broadcast, promotional advertisements, newsletters, and web materials. Coordinate litigation with the Law Department, oversee the mandate‑review docket at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, and manage the FOIL Records Access Officer and Appeals Officer functions. Manage reporting requirements for the Federal Communications Commission regarding MOME’s broadcast licenses. Maintain the city’s trademark portfolio and advise City Hall on legal matters related to the broadcast network, film permits, and press credentials. Serve as the Agency Privacy Officer and oversee the Open Data liaison team. Represent MOME at City Council hearings, in meetings with other government agencies and external stakeholders, and accompany the Commissioner as required. Drive process improvements and oversee special projects assigned by the Commissioner. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications Admission to the New York State Bar. Four years of recent full‑time, relevant legal experience post‑admission, including at least eighteen months supervising attorneys or performing complex, significant legal work. Ongoing membership in good standing with the New York State Bar. Preferred Skills Seven years of experience in a government agency, with at least three in a leadership role. Strong experience drafting complex or unusual governmental contracts and fluency in NYC Procurement Policy Board Rules. Excellent judgment, writing, research, analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills, with the ability to identify compliance risks. Experience counseling a broad range of clients, including attorneys, leadership, and staff. Track record of successful advocacy. Expertise in interpreting government regulations, particularly broadcast law for non‑commercial educational stations. Proficiency in public speaking, facilitation, and plain‑language communication. Ability to stay calm under pressure, express disagreement diplomatically, and model professional behavior. Genuine passion for at least one of the creative sectors within MOME’s portfolio. Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other benefits are described separately on the City’s website. Residency Requirement: New York City residency is not required for this position. The City of New York is an inclusive equal‑opportunity employer committed to a workforce free from discrimination and harassment based on any legally protected status. The City guarantees a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy. #J-18808-Ljbffr