Associate Corporate Counsel

About the role

The Associate Corporate Counsel will work closely with the Legal & Risk Management Department, internal stakeholders, and outside counsel to manage The Durst Organization’s legal affairs. This role plays a key part in facilitating and administering Commercial Leasing matters, drafting, negotiating and interpreting a broad range of real estate and non-real estate agreements, and ensuring sound corporate governance.

Responsibilities

• Partners with the Commercial Leasing Department, cross-functional teams, and outside counsel to oversee and facilitate the drafting and negotiation of lease documentation.
• Drafts and reviews ancillary lease documentation such as substantial completion notices, letters of credit, indemnity letters, SNDAs, estoppel certificates, commencement date agreements and availability notices.
• Advises internal teams on questions of lease interpretation and disputes resolution.
• Maintains oversight of letters of credit, lender consent obligations, encumbrances (e.g., rights of first offer and expansion options) and other critical matters to ensure timely execution of projects.
• Prepares and maintains lease abstracts.
• Drafts and negotiates small commercial leases, retail leases, license agreements, letter agreements (e.g., forbearance agreements) and notices of default (with the support of outside counsel).
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates various non-leasing documents and agreements, such as corporate formation and governance documents, confidentiality agreements, master service agreements, consultant agreements, purchase orders, amenities management agreements, construction and development agreements, requests for disbursement from loan reserves, photo and film production agreements and software license agreements.
• Provides cross-departmental support on questions of legal compliance and contract interpretation.
• Maintains compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Supports the Senior Vice President & General Counsel and the Senior Associate Corporate Counsel on special projects and other legal matters as needed.
• Serves as a resource, advocate, and catalyst for sustainability at The Durst Organization. Applies the skills unique to the core job responsibilities for practical integration of sustainability into processes, standard operating procedures, and adopted business practices. Seeks to empower colleagues, consultants, tenants and residents to prioritize and actively engage in environmental stewardship.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience with transactional NYC real estate law at a law firm, in house, or a combination thereof
• Demonstrated experience with commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and/or financing
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating legal documents
• Meticulous analytical skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Hightly organized and process driven
• Ability to work well independently and in a team setting
• Strong project management skills with the ability to effectively multitask and prioritize.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Law Degree from accredited U.S. law school
• Member must be in good standing with the New York State Bar

Pay

$200,000 - $225,000 (annual)

EEOC

Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer for Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

Legal

The Durst Organization and Affiliates is an equal opportunity employer for all and an employer for qualified veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Please click here for more information about Equal Opportunity Employment – Notice of Rights (EEO is the Law).

Application

If you are ready to make a change and would like to join our team of dedicated professionals please review the currently open job listings and apply for those positions for which you meet the minimum qualifications.