News in New York – Ulrich Resigns, Salary Transparency Law, Legal Fellows

November 7, 2022

Eric Ulrich Resigns as Department of Buildings Commissioner

Eric Ulrich stepped down from his position as the Commissioner for the Department of Buildings (DOB) last Thursday, following reports of an illegal gambling investigation by the Manhattan district attorney’s office. Ulrich, a former Republican City Council member, has held the position since May. The DA’s scope of investigation predates his time as Commissioner, and Ulrich has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Mayor Adams accepted his resignation, and announced that Kazimir Vilenchik, who had been DOB’s First Deputy Commissioner, will be serving as Acting Commissioner.

NYC Employers Required to Post Salary Ranges on Job Listings

Employers in New York City are now required to disclose salary ranges in job postings, under a new city law that went into effect last Tuesday. The Council implemented this to increase salary transparency and narrow the gender and racial pay gaps. The new rules will apply to any company with over 4 employees, and the salary range must be provided “in good faith.” However, in the first few days since the law passed, several companies have posted extremely broad ranges with differences of $100,000+, providing an early test of the “good faith range.”

Mayor Adams Launches NYC Legal Fellows Program

Last week, Mayor Eric Adams launched the New York City Legal Fellows Program, a new public-private partnership. Legal Fellows will serve a one-year appointment in the legal departments of several City agencies, including the Department of Investigation, Office of Criminal Justice, and the Department of Education. These junior associates will continue to be employed and paid by their firms, but will operate as full-time City employees for their selected agencies. Mayor Adams has also expressed interest in expanding similar programs to the technology and healthcare sectors beyond this pilot program.

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