City legal team battles staffing crisis and salary woes

In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around staffing challenges within the Office of General Counsel (OGC) highlighted the need for increased personnel and competitive salaries to retain talent. Michael Fackler, the office's general counsel, expressed concerns about the current staffing levels, noting that the office has lost several attorneys to private practice and other sectors.

Fackler emphasized the dedication and expertise of the existing staff, stating that they are among the best in the city. He acknowledged ongoing efforts to address staffing shortages, including the search for a transactional attorney, which has proven difficult due to competitive salaries offered in the private sector.

The office has collaborated with the administration to explore options for expanding staff and increasing salaries, revealing that preliminary survey results indicate OGC salaries are approximately 20% below market rates for comparable positions. Fackler urged for discussions with city officials to address these disparities, asserting that without competitive compensation, the office risks losing more talent and failing to provide the high level of service expected.

The meeting underscored the critical need for strategic staffing solutions within the OGC to ensure it can continue to function effectively and maintain its reputation as a leading public service law firm in the state.