Director, Associate Counsel - Wealth at Cohen & Steers

Director, Associate Counsel – Wealth at Cohen & Steers C Primary Location/Place/Mode New York, NY Law degree required; attorney with top credentials and 2-4 years of related experience in-house, regulatory, or at a leading law firm. Must have detailed knowledge of securities laws applicable to registered investment companies, including the Investment Company Act of 1940. Experience with open-end funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, other registered products, asset management legal issues, and negotiating/drafting contracts is required. Must demonstrate professional integrity, excellent communication and presentation skills, a collaborative entrepreneurial mindset, and inclusive behaviors. Must agree to the firm’s hybrid work policy requiring four days per week in the New York City office and one remote workday. The Wealth Management Legal Landscape in 2026 For attorneys drawn to the intersection of law, capital markets, and product innovation, the newly posted Director, Associate Counsel – Wealth role at Cohen & Steers offers a rare window into the engine room of modern asset management. Based in New York, this mid-senior level position sits within the Legal & Compliance department and reports to the Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel – Wealth. It carries an estimated salary of $210,000 to $245,000 , and the job description makes clear that the firm expects deep fluency in the Investment Company Act of 1940, together with hands‑on experience across registered funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, and sub‑advisory arrangements. The role arrives at a moment when registered investment companies are facing an unprecedented convergence of regulatory scrutiny, product innovation, and distribution complexity. The SEC’s ongoing focus on fund disclosure, derivatives risk management, and marketing rules has made fund counsel more integral to business strategy than ever before. For lawyers who thrive on high‑stakes transactional work and board‑level exposure, this position represents not just a job, but a career‑defining move into the upper echelons of financial services law. “In‑office collaboration is critical.” That single line from the posting speaks volumes about Cohen & Steers' culture. While many legal teams have embraced fully remote arrangements, this firm is deliberately betting on the value of shared physical presence. The hybrid policy currently requires four days per week in the New York City office, with one remote workday permitted. Candidates who prefer a fully distributed lifestyle should read this as a clear signal. However, for those who understand that proximity often translates into mentorship, deal flow, and faster professional growth, the in‑office mandate can be a hidden advantage. Inside the Director, Associate Counsel – Wealth Role The core mandate of this role is to provide legal support for the firm’s U.S. registered funds, sub‑advisory relationships, and other retail products, including separately managed accounts and model‑based programs. But the actual day‑to‑day work is much broader than that summary suggests. The successful candidate will be involved in everything from drafting investment management agreements and service provider contracts to preparing board meeting materials and ensuring compliance with the 1940 Act. This is not a niche specialization; it is a comprehensive legal practice in miniature, covering product development, distribution, marketing, and regulatory affairs. Key responsibilities include: Advising on contracts, distribution, product development, marketing, and sales practices across open‑end funds, closed‑end funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, model‑based programs, and sub‑advisory relationships. Drafting organizational documents, board actions, investment management agreements, and service provider contracts. Preparing and filing annual prospectus updates and registration statements for new funds and series, while overseeing all other required 1940 Act filings. Reviewing and negotiating distribution, platform, and other agreements with fund intermediaries. Attending board meetings and drafting minutes, giving counsel direct exposure to fund boards and senior leadership. Because the role explicitly mentions working closely with fund administration and compliance teams, the successful candidate must be comfortable operating in a matrixed environment. Legal advice here is not delivered from an ivory tower; it is delivered in real time, alongside the people who are actually implementing the products and strategies. That blend of legal analysis, commercial pragmatism, and cross‑functional collaboration is what separates merely competent counsel from truly valued business partners. The Cohen & Steers Profile: What They Search For Cohen & Steers is a global investment manager specialising in real assets, including real estate, infrastructure, and natural resources. While the firm may not have the brand recognition of a BlackRock or Vanguard, it is a sophisticated and highly respected player in the registered funds space. That pedigree shapes the candidate profile. The minimum requirements are deliberately stringent: top credentials, a law degree, and at least two to four years of relevant experience in‑house, regulatory, or at a leading law firm. However, the posting also looks for a constellation of softer skills—professional integrity, credible presence, entrepreneurial drive, consensus‑building, and excellent communication. What is particularly notable is the emphasis on being an “independent entrepreneurial self‑starter with the ability to get things done.” In practice, this means Cohen & Steers is not seeking a lawyer who merely flags problems; they want someone who can devise solutions, influence stakeholders, and drive projects to completion. The preferred qualifications—knowledge of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, experience with separately managed accounts, model‑based programs, sub‑advisory relationships, ISDA Master Agreements, and broker/dealer issues—signal that a candidate who can hit the ground running on multiple fronts will have a significant edge. “Intelligent, bright, conceptual thinker and a quick learner with the ability to quickly assess a situation and generate new insights and usable ideas.” That phrase, taken directly from the posting, hints at the firm's desire for someone who can operate in the grey areas where the law meets commercial reality. Fund lawyers are often called upon to interpret ambiguous regulatory language, assess novel product structures, and balance investor protection with business objectives. The ability to do all of this quickly and clearly is a differentiator that cannot be taught on the job. Building Your Application to Win This Role If this opportunity has caught your attention, the first step is to understand that a generic cover letter will not suffice. Applicants must demonstrate, with concrete examples, their familiarity with the 1940 Act and their hands‑on experience with registered products. Recruiters and hiring managers will look for evidence of drafting proficiency—whether that means investment management agreements, registration statements, or board resolutions. If you have worked on ETF launches, proxy statements, or distribution agreements, make those achievements visible in your resume. Consider structuring your application around these pillars: Technical Mastery: Detail your experience with the Investment Company Act of 1940, including specific sections you have worked with, such as Rule 12b‑1, Rule 18f‑4, or Section 15(a). Transactional Exposure: Highlight your involvement in negotiating fund distribution agreements, platform agreements, or sub‑advisory agreements, and quantify the assets or number of funds impacted if possible. Board and Governance Experience: Emphasise any experience preparing board materials, attending board meetings, or advising on board approvals for new products and investment advisory contracts. Collaboration and Influence: Showcase examples where you worked across legal, compliance, product, and marketing teams to bring a fund or product to market. Cultural Fit: Explicitly address your comfort with a hybrid work policy and your enthusiasm for in‑office collaboration. Networking can also play a crucial role. The posting indicates that referrals increase chances of interviewing by two times. If you have any connection to Cohen & Steers—through alumni networks, professional associations, or prior colleagues—do not hesitate to reach out. A warm introduction can put your resume at the top of the pile, particularly in a competitive market like New York. What This Job Means for Your Career Trajectory Securing this role is not merely about the salary, which is well above the median for legal counsel. It is about the platform. Cohen & Steers offers a focused environment where a mid‑level attorney can gain broad transaction exposure without the overhead of a large law firm. The title of “Director” suggests that the firm views this as a leadership‑track position. The opportunity to work directly with senior management and fund boards is invaluable for any lawyer aspiring to become a General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer of an asset manager. Moreover, the skills developed in this role are highly portable. Investment management law is a niche field with a relatively small pool of experts. Lawyers who can navigate the 1940 Act, draft sophisticated contracts, and manage relationships with regulators and distributors are in demand across asset managers, law firms, and regulatory bodies globally. The experience gained under the guidance of a Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel – Wealth is the kind of credential that remains valuable throughout a career. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: Is this role open to international candidates or those who need visa sponsorship? The job posting does not specify whether visa sponsorship is available. Since the role is based in New York and requires in‑office collaboration, eligible candidates should have valid United States work authorization or be capable of obtaining it independently. It is advisable to clarify this directly with Cohen & Steers or the recruiter before applying. Q2: What is the application deadline? The posting does not disclose a formal deadline. LinkedIn shows the job was posted one day ago, and the “be among the first 25 applicants” prompt suggests a rolling review process. Interested candidates should apply as soon as possible to maximise their chances. Q3: How many years of experience are required, and can law firm experience count? The posting explicitly requires 2‑4 years of related experience, which may be gained in‑house, in a regulatory capacity, or at a leading law firm. Consequently, associates from top‑tier law firms with securities or investment management practices are well positioned to apply. The key is to demonstrate direct experience with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and registered products. Q4: What are the most critical technical knowledge areas an applicant should have? Beyond the 1940 Act, the posting seeks familiarity with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 as a preferred qualification. Practical knowledge of ETFs, closed‑end funds, separately managed accounts, and derivative documentation such as ISDA Master Agreements will also strengthen a candidate’s profile. Highlighting experience with distribution and platform agreements is particularly important for the wealth‑related aspects of this role. #J-18808-Ljbffr Cohen & Steers