Gabriella Olivieri Publications Portfolio Public Service Program Brochure | Page 2

MESSAGE FROM THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
Thank you for your interest in the Law Department’s volunteer programs. We’re proud to provide one of
the most challenging and rewarding ways for attorneys to hone their skills. Here lawyers in the private
sector will gain invaluable courtroom and deposition experience while serving the public good. Our
volunteer attorneys handle complex police cases, challenging tort claims, and a host of other intriguing
matters. They add client value to their firms, with associates in particular returning as more seasoned
litigators. Here’s how:
Our Public Service Program enables firms and their attorneys to volunteer time and assist with the
Law Department’s heavy caseload. It’s a public / private initiative that grew from law firms’ generous
efforts to aid New York City after 9/1
1.

OVERVIEW
The New York City Law Department
is one of the oldest, largest, and most
dynamic law offices in the world, ranking
among the largest law offices in New
York City—and one of the largest
public law offices in the United States.
Tracing its roots back to the 1600’s, the
Department has an active caseload of
80,000 matters and transactions in 17
legal divisions. The Corporation Counsel
heads the Law Department and acts
as legal counsel for the Mayor, elected
officials, the City, and all its agencies.
The Department’s 625-plus attorneys
represent the City on a vast array of civil
litigation, legislative and legal issues, and
in the criminal prosecution of juveniles.
For more information, visit nyc.gov/law.
Our Deferred Associate Program gives attorneys whose employment start dates have been
deferred the same first-rate training, assignments, and responsibilities as our own first-year attorneys.
As a volunteer associate told me: “For one case, I handled the cross-examination, the opening and the
closing. It was the most beneficial thing that I’ve done. When you tackle a case from start-to-finish, you
literally get an entire legal education in one week.”
This is a win-win opportunity, and we look forward to hearing from you.

MICHAEL A. CARDOZO
CORPORATION COUNSEL