About Us

At the NYC Department of Buildings, we are responsible for ensuring the safe and lawful use of buildings and properties by enforcing the NYC Construction Codes, Energy Code and Zoning Resolution. We facilitate compliant development with integrity, efficiency, and professionalism. As an agency, we are committed to remaining a premier municipal building organization, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers and making our city safer. As an employer, we are committed to improving our performance and developing procedures that are streamlined, understandable, and transparent.

About the Team:

The FOIL and Subpoenas unit directs and assists with agency compliance with the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) demands, Court-ordered subpoenas for records, depositions and testimony, NYC Comptroller Claims document requests, and NYC Law Department requests for records, including for discovery in connection with litigation.


Additional Information:
This internship position reports in- person and does not require New York City residency. If selected, candidates must provide transcript enrollment verification statement from their school attesting that they are enrolled in an accredited degree program. Internship assignments may start as early as May, must conclude by the first week in September, and must not exceed a maximum of 13 weeks.


Position Responsibilities:

The Legal Intern will be under direction and supervision of the Assistant General Counsel responsible for FOIL and Subpoenas.


The Legal Intern will assist attorneys on a broad range of issues relevant to the agency’s work.

Projects will include: Legal writing, Legal Research, and Data Collection


Minimum Requirements:

Must be enrolled in an accredited law school

Candidates must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in an accredited college, university or law school.

Preferred Skills: -Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas: -Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) -Litigation -Construction -Housing

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.