Counsel, Legal

Nycedc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

NYC Economic Development Corporation seeks a Counsel to provide legal support for transactional matters across its programs and projects, reporting to senior attorneys and the General Counsel. You will draft, review, and negotiate leases, licenses, and development contracts, and advise staff on corporate requirements.

The role focuses on real estate and economic development transactions, coordinating with developers and public agencies, performing legal research, and supporting governance

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA‑accredited law school and admission to the New York State Bar in good standing.
• Minimum of two years post-law-school legal experience in real estate, finance, contracts, or related fields.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present legal concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Support transactional matters by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating leases, licenses, permits, and services agreements.
• Assist with real estate and economic development transactions, including waterfront, transportation, and infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate negotiations with developers, lenders, public agencies, and third parties under supervision.
• Communicate NYCEDC policies to internal staff and external parties.

Skills

Legal communication

Legal research

Drafting

Contract interpretation

Team collaboration

Time management

Discretion & judgment

Negotiation

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Our Vision: To make New York City the global model for inclusive innovation and economic growth, fueled by the City’s diverse people and businesses.

Our Mission: Creating a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers.

Position Overview: The Counselpositionprovides legal support and representation in connection with NYCEDC’s programs and projects under the guidance of senior attorneys and the General Counsel. This role supports transactional matters,advisesinternal staff on legal, contractual, and corporate requirements,andundertakeslegal research and analysis to advance NYCEDC’s mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support transactional matters across NYCEDC’s portfolio by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements such as leases, licenses, permits, consultant and professional services agreements, funding and loan agreements, construction and development contracts, and related instruments.
• Assistwith transactions involving real estate and economic development projects, including waterfront, transportation, maritime, capital, and infrastructure initiatives, as well as financing and tax-exempt transactions for NYCIDA and Build NYC Resource Corporation.
• Participate in negotiations with developers, lenders, public agencies, consultants, and other third parties, with supervision as appropriate.
• Effectively communicateNYCEDC’s legal and corporate policiestointernal stakeholders and external parties.
• Managetransactionsthrough closing by coordinating with internal teams, external counsel, and counterpartiesto ensuretimelyexecution of project documents.
• Assistin advising NYCEDC staff on legal, contractual, and corporate compliance matters, and support litigation and dispute-related issues in coordination with the New York City Law Department and other City agencies, as needed.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, summaries, and analyses on matters of law and policy for senior attorneys and NYCEDC staff.
• Assistwith the preparation and review of materials for the Boards of Directors of NYCEDC, NYCIDA, and Build NYC ResourceCorporation,as well as other corporate governance matters.
• Support litigation and dispute-related matters, including coordinating with internal stakeholders and outside counsel, developing case strategy, responding to discovery requests, and reviewing pleadings, filings, and other legal documents.
• Performadditionalduties in support of the Legal Services team, includingassistancewith form agreements, program initiatives, and personnel mattersas assigned.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from anABA-accredited law school; active admission and in good standing with the New York State Bar required.
• A minimum of two (2) years ofpost-lawschool legalexperienceinareas such as real estate, finance, construction, contracts, or related fields.
• Demonstratedcommunication skills, with the ability to present legal concepts clearly and concisely.
• Legal research, analysis, and drafting capabilities.
• Experience handling or supporting litigation matters, including case strategy, discovery, motion practice, negotiations, and coordination with outside counsel.
• Ability to understand transactional documents and apply legal principles to practical businessobjectives.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a legal team and with internal clients.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and follow through on deliverables with appropriate supervision.
• Demonstratesprofessional judgment, discretion, and attention to detail.
• New York City residency isrequiredwithin180 daysof hire.

Salary Range

$125,000 — $140,000 USD

About Us: New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors, with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy.

NYCEDC is committed to offering competitive benefits to support employee health, happiness, and work-life balance. We offer comprehensive benefits and unique perks to ensure NYCEDC employees flourish in their professional and personal lives:

• Generous employer subsidized health insurance
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Vision and hearing benefits
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Short term and long-term disability coverage
• 100% employer covered life insurance and supplemental life insurance coverage
• Up to 25 vacation days
• Floating Holidays and Summer Fridays
• Parental leave - up to 20 paid weeks
• Retirement savings programs
  • Company-paid 401(a) defined contribution plan
  • 457(b) tax-advantaged retirement savings plan
• Tuition Reimbursement program
• Continuing education and professional development
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
• College savings plan
• Backup childcare
• Gym membership discounts
• A Calm.com membership for mindfulness and mental health support
• Employee discounts through Plum Benefits and much more

Benefits listed above may vary based on the length and nature of your employment with New York City Economic Development Corporation. These benefits are subject to be modified at any time, at the discretion of the organization.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our Diversity, Equity, and Social Responsibility Mission is to create a People First strategy by attracting, retaining, and engaging a diverse and talented workforce. Like the city of New York, NYCEDC knows our strength comes from each of our connected parts, making the fabric of our organization better and stronger because of our unique employees' talents.

At NYCEDC, all applications are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team and hiring managers. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, evaluate, or make decisions regarding candidate resumes or applications. Each candidate is considered through a thoughtful, human-led review process to ensure equity, consistency, and alignment with the needs of the role.

For more information, visit our website at edc.nyc.