Construction Associate

About the Company

Our client, a well-established New York City law firm with a highly regarded Construction & Design practice, is seeking a Construction & Design Group Associate with transactional construction law experience to join its specialized practice in Midtown Manhattan.

About the Role

This is an opportunity to work on sophisticated construction and development matters on behalf of owners, developers, and institutional clients, with a particular emphasis on RPAPL § 881 special proceedings and the negotiation of access and license agreements involving adjacent properties. Attorneys in the group handle construction contracts, design agreements, access agreements, and other sophisticated transactional matters while working directly with clients and opposing counsel.

Responsibilities

• Handle RPAPL § 881 special proceedings involving access to adjoining properties for construction, demolition, excavation, underpinning, and related development work
• Draft and negotiate access and license agreements with neighboring property owners and their counsel
• Draft and negotiate construction contracts on behalf of owners and developers
• Draft and negotiate design agreements with architects, engineers, consultants, and other design professionals
• Advise clients regarding construction and development-related contractual issues and access rights
• Work directly with owners, developers, institutional clients, architects, engineers, contractors, and opposing counsel
• Handle a high volume of sophisticated transactional matters with fast turnaround times
• Collaborate closely with senior attorneys within a specialized seven-attorney Construction & Design practice

Qualifications

• 5+ years of transactional construction law experience
• New York Bar admission required
• Candidates must be based in the NYC area or willing to relocate
• Meaningful experience handling RPAPL § 881 proceedings in New York
• Ability to clearly articulate specific RPAPL § 881 matters, including the underlying construction project, access issues, negotiations, and role in the proceeding
• Experience drafting and negotiating access agreements and license agreements involving adjacent or neighboring properties
• Comfortable working in a high-volume, fast-paced transactional environment with short turnaround times
• Ability to work directly with sophisticated clients and opposing counsel

Preferred Skills

• Key Requirement: Candidates must have substantive New York RPAPL § 881 experience. The ideal candidate will be able to discuss specific § 881 proceedings involving construction or development projects, including negotiations over access/license agreements with neighboring property owners and counsel.

Pay range and compensation package

• $200,000-$300,000 base salary, depending on experience
• Additional bonuses based on hours and origination
• Opportunity to work on sophisticated construction and development matters
• Opportunity to develop a book of business and participate in business development
• Long-term path toward partnership or Of Counsel for the right attorney

Location

• Location: New York City, Midtown Manhattan
• Hybrid schedule available