Legal Counsel

True North Consultants, Inc.; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

True North Consultants, Inc. is seeking a Legal Counsel to manage contracts and the firm's insurance program in a hybrid role in New York City.

The ideal candidate will review complex commercial contracts, mitigate design-liability risk, and provide strategic counsel to executives and design teams to ensure alignment with licensing laws and industry standards. The position requires a J.D., active bar membership, and 4–7 years of relevant experience in construction or design-liability fields.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active State Bar admission in good standing.
• 4–7 years of legal experience, preferably in construction law, real estate development or design-professional liability.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate owner-architect agreements (including AIA Contract Documents), interior design purchasing agreements, consultant contracts, and vendor terms.
• Manage the firm's insurance portfolio, including professional liability (E&O), CGL, and EPLI.
• Identify and resolve potential design liability issues, construction disputes, and project delay claims before escalation.
• Protect proprietary designs, custom furniture concepts, and digital assets via copyrights, trademarks, and NDAs.
• Monitor corporate compliance, FF&E tax obligations, and multi-state professional licensing for designers and architects.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Legal risk assessment

Contract management

Communication

Education

J.D. from accredited law school

State Bar admission

Tools

AIA Contract Documents

Job description

Legal Counsel / In-House Full Time or Consulting Part Time

4 to 7 Years Experience

Our client, a leading architecture firm in New York City, is seeking a detail-oriented Legal Counsel, to manage their legal operations and professional insurance sector. Candidates will be charged with reviewing complex commercial contracts, mitigating design-liability risks, and managing their comprehensive insurance portfolio while acting as a strategic advisor to their executive and design teams, ensuring all projects align with state licensing laws, building regulations, and risk-management best practices.

Responsibilities:

• Contract Management: Draft, review, and negotiate owner-architect agreements (including AIA Contract Documents), interior design purchasing agreements, consultant contracts, and vendor terms.
• Insurance Oversight: Manage the firm's insurance portfolio, including Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions), Commercial General Liability, and Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI).
• Risk Mitigation: Identify and resolve potential design liability issues, construction administration disputes, and project delay claims before they elevate.
• Intellectual Property: Protect the firm’s proprietary designs, custom furniture concepts, and digital assets through copyright, trademark, and robust non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
• Compliance & Licensing: Monitor corporate compliance, sales tax obligations on FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment), and multi-state professional licensing requirements for our designers and architects.

Required Experience:

• Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Bar Admission: Active member in good standing with the State Bar Association.
• Experience: 4 to 7 years of legal experience, ideally splitting time between a law firm and an inhouse setting specializing in construction law, real estate development, or design-professional liability.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the architectural/interior design lifecycle, procurement risks, mechanics' liens, and standard industry insurance structures.

Annual Salary Range*: In-House Full Time $135K+ / option for Part Time at an hourly rate to be determined

Schedule: Full Time 4 days in office + 1 remote day / option for Part Time consulting

Location: New York Office

*Compensation is based on experience, qualifications, and skill set.