Assistant General Counsel

FirstService Residential; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Multiple medical plans

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

Legal assistance program

Identity theft protection

Pet insurance

Company-paid life insurance

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) with company match

Job summary

FirstService Residential is seeking a Senior Counsel to provide strategic legal guidance to executives and operations across multiple markets. The role supports the Regional General Counsel and addresses critical business challenges with practical, hands-on advice.

The position is hybrid, reporting to corporate offices in NYC, Dallas, or Chicago, with occasional travel. Requires strong experience in real estate, corporate, and regulatory law and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree or higher from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in one or more listed states.
• 5+ years of licensed legal practice; experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex legal and business issues and develop strategic recommendations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts to protect FirstService’s interests.
• Advise on landlord-tenant and real estate leasing, and housing-related regulations.
• Mitigate risks by advising on regulatory and compliance matters relevant to operations.
• Partner with operations to implement policies, training, and internal controls.
• Support governance needs for FirstService Residential as assigned.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Real estate law

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from ABA-accredited law school

Active bar membership (TX, IL, NY, or NJ)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

Job Overview: As the Senior Counsel, you'll be responsible for providing strategic, practical, and business‑focused legal advice to support the growth and success of the business. The Senior Counsel serves as a trusted advisor to the Regional General Counsel, executives, and operational leaders, helping to identify, assess, and mitigate legal issues and risks while enabling sound business decision‑making, and providing hands‑on assistance to our Regional General Counsel which will be shared with the executives & business teams to address critical legal and business challenges.

This hybrid position may report to our corporate offices in either midtown Manhattan, NY; Dallas, TX; or Chicago, IL. This role requires occasional travel to the respective markets, with additional travel as needed.

Your Responsibilities

• Analyze complex legal and business issues and assist in developing strategic alternatives and actionable recommendations
• Collaborate with the legal team on knowledge management initiatives, template standardization, playbooks, and process improvements to improve efficiency and consistency
• Provide timely, practical, solutions-oriented counsel that balances legal, risk, and business objectives
• Identify emerging risks and trends impacting FirstService and recommend mitigation strategies and process improvements
• Expertly draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts to protect FirstService’s interests while also advancing the company’s business objectives
• Identify and advise on risk allocation, compliance obligations, and contractual protections
• Support regional and national transactions and initiatives as needed
• Draft, negotiate and advise on commercial and residential leasing agreements
• Advise on real estate law, including landlord-tenant law, leasing regulations, rent stabilization/rent control and housing court processes
• Provide guidance on regulatory and compliance matters relevant to operations
• Partner with the operations team to implement policies, training, and internal controls
• Support governance needs for the FirstService Residential as assigned
• Interpret and advise on state and local regulations including, but not limited to, housing rules, ordinances and compliance
• Identify and reduce legal and operational risks through practical, business aligned solutions

Skills & Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree or higher from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing with the bar in one or more of the following states: Texas, Illinois, New York, or New Jersey.
• 5+ years’ experience in licensed legal practice. Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements is required. Experience working in multi-state, service-based, regulated, or real estate/property-related environments preferred.
• Broad legal expertise across areas such as real estate, corporate law, litigation, and labor/employment law.
• Works effectively with coworkers, clients, customers, and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; addresses problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions.
• Must possess a high energy attitude and an ability to multi-task/prioritize different projects at any given time.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

What We Offer

As a full-time associate, you will be eligible for full comprehensive benefits including your choice of multiple medical plans, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance. You will also be eligible for company-paid life insurance and benefits from our employee assistance program. In addition, you will be eligible for paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and a 401(k) with company match.

• multiple medical plans
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• short-term disability
• long-term disability
• legal
• identity theft
• pet insurance
• company-paid life insurance
• employee assistance program benefits
• paid time off
• paid holidays
• tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) with company match

Compensation

$ 150000 - $ 175000 / year

Disclaimer Statement

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. This is not an all-inclusive job description; therefore, management has the right to assign or reassign schedules, duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) Usage

We may utilize an Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) in connection with the assessment or evaluation of candidates. The AEDT is designed to assist in objectively evaluating candidate qualifications based on specific job-related characteristics.

Job Qualifications and Characteristics Assessed

The AEDT evaluates candidates based on job qualifications and characteristics pertinent to the role, including skills, experience, and competencies relevant to the position requirements. These qualifications are determined by the unique needs of each role within our company.

Alternative Selection Process or Reasonable Accommodations

Candidates who require an alternative selection process or a "reasonable accommodation," as defined under applicable disability laws, may make a request through our designated contact channel [e-mail].

Requesting Information About the AEDT - NYC Local Law 144

Candidates who reside in New York City and are subject to NYC Local Law 144 may request information about the AEDT, including details on the type of data collected, the sources of such data, and our data retention policies. To submit a request, please contact us at [e-mail]; we will respond in accordance with Local Law 144, within 30 days.