Associate Corporate Counsel

Overview:

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 Residential Leasing matters, supporting the Commercial Leasing Department, drafting, negotiating and interpreting a broad range of real estate and non-real estate agreements, and ensuring sound corporate governance. 

This role requires a highly motivated and organized individual, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, maintain a high degree of discretion and confidentiality, and ensure deliverables are up to Company standards.

Responsibilities:

• Provides guidance to the Residential Leasing Department on lease forms, riders and related documents to be compliant with current laws and the regulatory framework to which each property is subject.
• Supports Residential Property Management in the resolution of operational issues and tenant disputes.
• Provides guidance regarding collection of rent from market, stabilized and low-income residents.
• Drafts notices to cure and provides litigation support relating to both residential tenants and portfolio-wide commercial and corporate matters.
• Advises internal teams on questions of document interpretation, legal compliance and dispute resolution.
• 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 commercial leases, retail leases, license agreements and letter agreements, as well as ancillary lease documentation such as substantial completion notices, letters of credit, indemnity letters, SNDAs, estoppel certificates, commencement date agreements and availability notices.
• Monitors and tracks 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 execution memoranda.
• 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.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with cross functional departments.
• 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:

• 3-8 years of experience with New York City real estate law at a law firm, in house, or a combination thereof
• Experience in commercial and residential landlord-tenant litigation
• Demonstrated experience with drafting and negotiating commercial real estate transaction documents
• Meticulous analytical skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Highly 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

Salary Range: $200,000 - $225,000 (annual)