About the Nassau County District Attorney

The Nassau County District Attorney's Office investigates and prosecutes violations of state and local criminal statutes occurring within Nassau County. With nearly 240 attorneys and a total staff in excess of 450, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office is one of the largest district attorney's offices in the country. Situated on Long Island, immediately to the east of New York City, the office is committed to hiring the most qualified attorneys, investigators and support staff. The office is dedicated to constant philosophical and technological modernization and looks forward to implementing ever-changing strategies that allow it to stay one step ahead of criminal behavior.

Description

The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office (NCDA) is seeking an experienced, practicing attorney for its Civil Forfeiture Unit.

The District Attorney’s Civil Forfeiture Unit is responsible for obtaining the forfeiture of illegal proceeds or instrumentalities associated with felony criminal conduct, and the assets of criminal enterprises. The effective use of civil asset forfeiture plays a crucial role in disrupting and deterring criminal activity, dismantling criminal enterprises, depriving criminals of the proceeds and instrumentalities of illegal activity, and delivering restitution to victims.

Assistant District Attorneys in the Civil Forfeiture Unit commence civil actions to recover assets, ensuring that criminals do not keep the proceeds of their criminal ventures, thus taking the profit out of crime. Much of the asset forfeiture caseload is related to the prosecution of illegal drug trafficking, money laundering, cyber-crime, and financial fraud, including investment fraud, bank fraud, and procurement fraud.  Civil Forfeiture ADAs also serve as a resource to Investigations Division ADAs on financial investigations and restitution issues.  Forfeited funds are utilized by NCDA to pay restitution to crime victims, to support and enhance law enforcement efforts, and to re-invest in the community.

This position provides the opportunity to gain experience in civil litigation, handle your own docket, supervise a paralegal, work closely with several bureaus (e.g., Organized Crime and Rackets, Narcotics, Firearms and Gangs, Major Financial Frauds, and Public Corruption) and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to bring civil forfeiture claims and court proceedings on behalf of the District Attorney.  Prior experience in civil law is not necessary, but previous experience is a plus.

Qualifications and Requirements

Candidates must:

• Have passed the NYS Bar Examination and be admitted to the practice of law in NYS, in good standing, prior to submitting an application;

• Reside in New York State as of the effective date of employment with NCDA;

• Have at least three (3) years of experience in handling all aspects of criminal investigation and prosecution, with an attendant understanding of the Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, rules of evidence, and Discovery rules;
• Have proficient legal research and writing skills;
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Have experience with case analysis, management and organization;
• Have exceptional critical thinking and analytical abilities;
• Have effective advocacy and negotiation skills;
• Have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively;
• Have comprehension of financial schemes (and traceability, a plus);
• Have interest in gaining civil litigation and motion practice experience, including utilization of the NYS Courts E-filing system;
• Make a two-year commitment to employment at NCDA.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of CPLR Article 13-A and its utilization and application to felony cases prosecuted by NCDA:
• Manage all aspects of civil forfeiture cases initiated in collaboration with long-term investigations, including coordinating with other NCDA bureaus and its law enforcement partners to:
• • identify forfeitable assets,
  • seek provisional remedies to restrain bank assets,
  • participate in settlement negotiations and provide the necessary settlement papers to accomplish forfeiture; and
  • commence civil actions to recover the assets, thereby divesting defendants of the proceeds and instrumentalities of their felony crimes;
• Handle a caseload of approximately 150 files from Intake to completion including referrals, settlement agreements, investigations, legal research, pleadings, discovery, motions, depositions and trials.

Job Benefits

As an ADA, you will receive the following benefits (waiting periods may apply):

• 13 paid holidays each year
• Generous paid vacation, personal and sick days each year
• Contributory medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents
• New York State Employees Retirement Plan
• Optional Deferred Compensation Plan
• Flexible benefits plan for medical and child-care expenses
• Childcare leave
• Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union optional financial services

Annual salary is $93,000 to $150,000.  

Application Process

Applicants will complete 2 rounds of interviews:

1. Panel Interview with two supervisory Assistant District Attorneys from the Hiring Committee
2. Interview with the Chief Assistant District Attorney and the District Attorney, Anne T. Donnelly.