Assistant General Counsel

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

The Assistant General Counsel serves as a senior legal advisor and transactional attorney for NYCEDC, providing strategic legal counsel in support of the organization's economic development, real estate, financing, infrastructure, and corporate initiatives. The Assistant General Counsel leads the structuring, negotiation, and execution of complex transactions; advises internal stakeholders on legal, regulatory, contractual, governance, and risk management matters; and represents NYCEDC's interests in dealings with external parties, governmental entities, and partner organizations. The role also provides leadership, mentorship, and oversight to legal staff, serves as a trusted partner to the General Counsel in advancing departmental and organizational priorities, and generally represents the interests of NYCEDC.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Perform all aspects of transactional practice of NYCEDC as a lead attorney, which may include any of the following matters:  
  • drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide variety of complex agreements, contracts and instruments, including contracts of sale, leases, permits, licenses, consultant agreements, funding agreements, loan agreements, construction contracts, operating agreements and similar documents for complex projects, including projects involving real estate development, waterfront development, transportation, maritime, capital and infrastructure funding and investment and NYCIDA and Build NYC Resource Corporation (“Build NYC”) financing transactions;  
  • represents the client in negotiations of such matters;  
  • effectively communicates corporate policies to third parties;  
  • monitors and closes transactions in a timely manner; and  
  • as necessary, supervises junior attorneys in connection with the foregoing activities.  
• Ensure staff are oriented to their position and provided with appropriate training, development and continuing education.  
• Monitor performance; provide coaching and feedback on an ongoing basis.  
• Assist the General Counsel with respect to advising NYCEDC staff with respect to compliance with legal, contractual and corporate requirements, legislative matters as well as litigation matters, and coordination of such matters with the New York City Law Department and other City agencies when necessary. 
• Provide research and memoranda of law and/or policy for the General Counsel and NYCEDC staff. 
• Assist with preparation and review of materials to be presented to the Boards of Directors of NYCEDC, NYCIDA and Build NYC and to City agencies, as well as other corporate matters. 
• Perform other tasks at the direction of the General Counsel, including the preparation of form contracts and agreements, participation in program development initiatives, corporate and personnel matters. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. 
• A minimum of 10 years of experience practicing law as an attorney in real estate, finance, construction law, contract law, litigation or related areas. 
• Demonstrated experience leading complex transactional matters, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and closing sophisticated agreements and transactions. 
• Must have substantive knowledge of legal principles and practices applicable to real estate, finance, construction law, contracts, litigation, or related practice areas. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.  
• Proven legal research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.  
• Proven ability to identify, assess, and resolve complex legal issues and risks.  
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while building effective relationships with clients, stakeholders, and colleagues. 
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing legal professionals and managing performance. 
• Admission to Practice Law in at least one State; New York State Bar admission required. 
• NYC residency is required is within 180 days of hire.