Senior Counsel

EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT 
 POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Senior Counsel                                                                     Date: August 2024 

Grade: 6/6U                                                                                                   Location: NYC or Albany

Department: Legal

Basic Function: Represent and advise the Corporation on all aspects of its activities and functions as needed, in particular with respect to corporate and real estate matters, financing, grants and loans. Prepare and negotiate legal documents for the implementation of real estate projects and general corporate matters; provide advice to ESD departments on real estate and other areas of law. This position requires someone who is able to work largely independently with little to moderate supervision on high profile, complex matters.  

Work Performed:

• Assist ESD’s Real Estate Department in drafting, developing and overseeing RFPs. 
• Draft and negotiate all legal documents necessary for implementation of ESD real estate projects and other programs as needed. 
• Provide counsel and strategic advice to ESD’s real estate department and to other ESD departments and ESD management as needed. 
• Supervise outside counsel and consultants as needed. 
• Draft legislation and regulations as necessary.
• Represent ESD at meetings and Public Hearings.
• Assist with such other legal work as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

Directly Supervise: assigned Administrative Assistant

Positions Indirectly Supervised: Legal Assistants and Paralegals, Assistant/Associate Counsels

Supervision Received: Deputy General Counsel / General Counsel

Minimum Requirements:

Education level required: J.D. plus Admission to New York State Bar

Equivalent Experience required: Minimum of ten years of general legal experience including real estate, financing and or other corporate transactions. Experience working in government or as outside counsel to governmental entities preferred.  

Knowledge Required: Excellent verbal and written communication skills and negotiation skills.  Knowledge regarding government procurement, public private partnerships, real estate development preferred.  

ALTERNATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNAL CANDIDATES: A minimum of 5 years of satisfactory service in another (relevant) position with Empire State Development. Up to 2 years of accredited post-secondary education, or service in the U.S. military may be substituted for service at ESD.