Senior Corporate & Business Attorney | Outside General Counsel

Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY

Job Type: Full-Time | In-Office (5 Days Per Week)

Compensation: $100,000-190,000 annually without portable business; higher compensation considered for attorneys with an established portable book of business.

We are partnering with a rapidly growing, entrepreneurial New York law firm seeking an experienced, business-minded attorney who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys the opportunity to work across a diverse range of legal matters.

The firm serves as outside general counsel to businesses ranging from emerging startups to sophisticated, venture-backed companies. Rather than focusing on a single practice area, its attorneys become trusted advisors to business owners and executive teams, helping clients navigate everything from corporate transactions and contracts to employment matters, litigation, and unexpected legal challenges.

This is not a traditional law firm role where every day looks the same or every assignment comes with a detailed roadmap. We are looking for an attorney who enjoys variety, thinks independently, takes initiative, and is excited by the opportunity to contribute to a growing practice.

The firm places tremendous value on exceptional client service, practical problem-solving, collaboration, and maintaining a positive, supportive work environment. The ideal candidate will share those values and be motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Important Location Requirement: This position requires working from the firm's Midtown Manhattan office five days per week. Candidates must be able and willing to commute to the office daily. This is not a hybrid or remote opportunity.

Duties & Responsibilities

As a senior attorney, you will serve as outside general counsel to business clients, managing a varied caseload and providing practical, business-oriented legal advice.

Your work will span multiple practice areas, and you should be comfortable navigating unfamiliar issues, researching solutions, and collaborating with colleagues when necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to business owners, founders, executives, and leadership teams.
• Handle corporate and commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting and negotiation, and general corporate matters.
• Advise clients on a broad range of business-related legal issues, including employment, intellectual property, corporate governance, securities, and commercial disputes.
• Assist with litigation and dispute resolution matters, including research, strategy, drafting, and coordination with other attorneys as appropriate.
• Independently manage client matters from initial assessment through resolution, exercising sound judgment and knowing when to seek additional guidance.
• Research unfamiliar legal questions, evaluate potential solutions, and provide clear, actionable recommendations.
• Manage multiple client relationships and competing priorities while maintaining exceptional responsiveness and service.
• Collaborate with a small, dedicated team of attorneys who value accountability, mutual support, and professional growth.
• Contribute ideas and perspectives that support the firm's continued growth, operational improvements, and expansion into new markets.

Who we are looking for

We're seeking more than a technically capable attorney. We want someone who enjoys solving problems, takes ownership of their work, and understands the importance of building lasting client relationships.

You may be an excellent fit if you are:

Independent and self-directed. You can take an assignment, evaluate the issues, develop a plan, and move the matter forward without constant supervision. You also recognize when to ask questions, seek guidance, or collaborate with colleagues.

Resourceful and comfortable learning as you go. You don't need a formal training program or detailed instructions for every new challenge. You're willing to research unfamiliar issues, explore solutions, learn through experience, and adapt your approach as needed.

A strong critical thinker. You can explain not just what you would do, but why. You approach legal challenges thoughtfully, consider potential risks and alternatives, and develop practical recommendations based on the client's objectives.

Adaptable and comfortable with variety. One day may involve an M&A transaction, another an employment issue, and another an unexpected litigation matter. You enjoy the challenge of a diverse practice and can shift priorities as client needs evolve.

Client-service focused. You recognize that exceptional legal work and outstanding customer service go hand in hand. You are responsive, approachable, proactive, and genuinely invested in helping clients succeed.

Entrepreneurial and growth-minded. You're excited about joining a firm that is building something meaningful. You value autonomy, professional development, long-term opportunity, and the ability to contribute to the firm's success.

Collaborative and team-oriented. You appreciate working with a close-knit team where people support one another, share ideas, and genuinely care about the quality of their work and the environment they create.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of substantive experience in corporate law, business law, commercial transactions, or a related business-focused legal practice.
• Experience with mergers and acquisitions, including meaningful involvement in corporate transactions.
• Strong legal research, drafting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage legal matters and communicate directly with clients.
• Sound professional judgment and the ability to recognize when additional research, guidance, or collaboration is appropriate.
• Willingness and ability to work across multiple practice areas and handle unfamiliar legal issues.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and client relationship management skills.
• Active bar admission and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with the ability to satisfy applicable New York practice requirements.
• Ability to work in the Midtown Manhattan office five days per week.

Strongly Preferred:

• Business or commercial litigation experience.
• Experience serving as outside general counsel or advising businesses on a broad range of legal matters.
• Employment law, intellectual property, securities, or corporate governance experience.
• Experience advising startups, entrepreneurs, privately held businesses, or venture-backed companies.
• Background working in a boutique, entrepreneurial, or growing law firm.

A portable book of business is welcomed but not required.

What makes this opportunity different:

A Diverse and Engaging Practice

You won't be confined to a narrow specialty or repetitive assignments. You'll have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of legal issues, develop new skills, and build meaningful relationships with business clients.

Autonomy Without Isolation

The firm values attorneys who can independently manage their responsibilities while knowing when to collaborate or ask for assistance. You'll work with a supportive team, but should be comfortable taking initiative and learning through hands-on experience rather than extensive formal training.

A Client-Centered Approach

The firm emphasizes long-term client relationships and value-driven legal services, including alternative fee arrangements. Traditional billable-hour pressure is not the defining feature of the practice.

A Close-Knit, Collaborative Culture

This is a smaller team where relationships matter. The firm values attorneys who are approachable, accountable, respectful, and committed to creating a positive environment for colleagues and clients alike.

Work/Life Balance

The firm believes attorneys can deliver excellent work without sacrificing their personal lives. Weekend work is rare, and the team prioritizes a sustainable, healthy working environment.

Meaningful Growth Potential

The firm is in an exciting stage of expansion, with plans to grow into additional markets and potentially establish secondary offices. Attorneys who demonstrate initiative, leadership, and strong client relationships will have opportunities to grow alongside the firm and help shape its future.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, substantive legal background, and the ability to independently manage a diverse portfolio of legal matters.

Attorneys bringing an established, portable book of business may be considered for higher compensation and individualized arrangements based on their existing client relationships and anticipated contributions to the firm.

Benefits Include:

• Employer-contributed health insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Continuing legal education (CLE) expenses covered
• Professional development assistance
• Support for obtaining additional state bar admissions
• Long-term opportunities for increased responsibility and growth

Interview Process

Our client is interested in understanding how you approach legal work, solve problems, and make decisions—not simply reviewing the matters you've handled.

Candidates should be prepared to discuss specific examples of:

• Independently managing complex or unfamiliar legal matters.
• Evaluating legal issues and developing practical solutions.
• Balancing multiple client needs and competing priorities.
• Determining when to proceed independently and when to seek guidance.
• Navigating new practice areas or situations without extensive formal training.
• Delivering exceptional client service in challenging or time-sensitive circumstances.

We want to understand your thought process, judgment, and approach to solving real-world legal problems.

If you're an experienced attorney who enjoys variety, values client relationships, thrives in an entrepreneurial environment, and wants to be part of a growing firm where your contributions truly matter, we'd welcome the opportunity to connect.