SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY - Transportation and Infrastructure Law

We’re looking for highly motivated, creative, and collaborative attorneys to join our projects-oriented law firm.  Operating outside the “Big Law” model, our collegial and collaborative firm enables our Associate Attorneys to gain momentum in their careers and further their professional development through meaningful involvement on public and private projects that benefit communities across the United States. 

Why consider us?

We are a fast-growing national boutique law firm devoted exclusively to helping clients solve problems involving the nation’s most complex and high-profile projects in transit, rail, real estate, land use, infrastructure, project financing, airports, renewable energy, environmental, conservation, and tribal law.  While the firm is organized into these primary practice areas, we pride ourselves on complex, collaborative work that does not always respect these boundaries, and associates will regularly work with colleagues across all of our practice areas.  Nearly half of our practice groups and partners (and over a quarter of our attorneys as a whole) received recognition from Chambers & Partners in their 2022 USA rankings, reflecting our firm’s outsized achievements and national recognition. The work we do is rewarding and we are tremendously proud of the superior services our team is able to provide to our clients. 

Founded in 2003 to provide an alternative to the “business of law as usual,” our firm’s focus remains on our colleagues as well as our clients.  We believe that when you enjoy working with a great team, know that your contributions make a difference, and are able to pursue a fulfilling career without hindering personal life responsibilities and choices, your professional life can and should be more enjoyable and rewarding. 

We are proud to be recognized for both the quality of our work and the opportunities for our associates to learn and grow.  Our associates are uniquely positioned to have a significant impact for clients from day one while also gaining valuable experience and training.  We believe that as an associate, you should have a path toward partnership, and our collective mentoring approach has resulted in a number of internally promoted partners. 

 In this role, you will: 

• Serve as a key member of our Transportation practice while also supporting related environmental, energy, infrastructure, and real estate matters as needed.
• Work directly with partners and clients on a variety of matters which may include tasks such as drafting pleadings, conducting legal research, drafting memoranda of law, drafting and negotiating contracts and operating agreements.

You will excel in this role by: 

• Having 7 or more years of relevant transactional, administrative law or litigation experience  
• Demonstrating exceptional writing, analytical, and advocacy skills and ability to successfully interact with clients and colleagues. 
• Adapting quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment to successfully multi-task and manage deadlines to proactively complete transactions. 
• Having a high comfort level in working both independently as well as in a team environment. 
• Taking initiative by being action-oriented, immediately responsible for your client, delegating intelligently, and seeking opportunities for personal improvement.
• Showing academic excellence and leadership, having achieved a law degree from an accredited law school.
• Being admitted to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction (NY or DC, preferred)

You will stand out from other candidates if you demonstrate some or all of the following: 

• Have experience with matters before the Surface Transportation Board, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration, or state or local transportation agencies.
• Have experience representing public transportation agencies. 
• Have experience in transactional matters that include federal grant funding.
• Have excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Have an entrepreneurial mindset with a collegial, team-focused approach to the practice of law. 
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and attentively listen, actively engage, and effectively communicate complex matters. 

Position Details: This is a full-time position to be located in New York, NY or Washington, DC. We have an annual expectation of 1,600 billable hours for our associates, and we have incorporated our values into this target by including an unlimited amount of approved pro bono hours when meeting this target. The salary range is $185,000 - $225,000, commensurate with experience. We offer medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, STD, LTD, group term life insurance, 401(k), flexible  PTO, and parental leave. The firm will also cover some public transportation costs. 

The Firm is actively committed to fostering the principles of diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity.  We do not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, disability, marital status, military status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Please be aware that Kaplan Kirsch requires all employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19.  This position will require the successful candidate to show proof that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  Kaplan Kirsch is an equal opportunity employer and will engage in the interactive process to determine if a reasonable accommodation is appropriate to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law.

If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application process, please do not hesitate to reach out by emailing HR@kaplankirsch.com