2.1 Services Reporting to the Executive Director, the General Counsel shall provide expert legal guidance to support the Commission, ensure compliance with legal frameworks, and guide the Commission in fulfilling its critical mission. This position is pivotal in offering policy analysis, identifying systemic barriers to reparative recommendations, and proposing actionable viable solutions for implementing reparative justice initiatives. The General Counsel, under this Contract, shall not represent the Commission or State of New York in any litigation or judicial action. The General Counsel’s lead attorney shall collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Commission members, and stakeholders to address structural inequities, advance reparative legislative efforts, and develop pathways for implementing the Commission’s findings and reparative recommendations. 2.2 Service Requirements A. Legal Advisory and Compliance i. The lead attorney shall serve as the principal legal advisor to the Executive Director and the Commission and manage all activities of the legal team. ii. Ensure all Commission activities adhere to NYS and federal legal frameworks. iii. Provide expert counsel on legal matters related to public hearings, research initiatives, and policy recommendations. iv. Identify and mitigate legal or legislative barriers to implementing the Commission’s recommendations. B. Policy Analysis and Legislative Support i. Analyze existing NYS laws and policies that perpetuate systemic inequities against Black New Yorkers and propose amendments or new legislation to redress these issues. ii. Develop viable strategies to navigate legislative and regulatory hurdles. iii. Work with lawmakers, advocacy groups, and stakeholders to advance reparative policies and recommendations. C. Research and Historical Context i. Collaborate with the Commission’s research historian(s), research and policy analyst(s), and economist(s) to examine policies contributing to systemic inequities that harm Black New Yorkers. ii. Use historical insights to provide legal analysis and develop viable policy solutions. iii. Assist in interpreting research findings to frame recommendations for reparative justice
