Senior Counsel (Litigation), Legal

About the role

Our Vision: To make New York City the global model for inclusive innovation and economic growth, fueled by the City's diverse people and businesses.

Position Overview

The Senior Counsel, Litigation position manages litigation and dispute-related matters involving NYCEDC's programs, projects, and operations. This role provides practical, solution-oriented advice on litigation strategy and risk, oversees matters from initial claims through final resolution, and works closely with internal stakeholders, outside counsel, the New York City Law Department, and other City agencies to protect NYCEDC's interests.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of litigation and pre-litigation matters involving NYCEDC, including disputes relating to real estate, contracts, construction, development projects, and other organizational activities.
• Develop and implement litigation strategy in coordination with internal stakeholders, outside counsel, and the New York City Law Department, as appropriate, including assessing claims and defenses, potential exposure, and options for resolution.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of outside litigation counsel, including case staffing, budgets, legal strategy, work product, and progress toward resolution.
• Draft, review, and coordinate the preparation of pleadings, motions, briefs, affidavits, discovery responses, settlement agreements, and other litigation-related documents.
• Manage discovery and fact development, including document preservation, litigation holds, electronic discovery, document collection and review, witness interviews, and preparation for depositions and testimony.
• Represent NYCEDC's interests in settlement negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and other dispute-resolution proceedings, and participate in court proceedings as appropriate.
• Advise NYCEDC staff on threatened and pending claims, litigation risks, responses to demand letters and subpoenas, and other dispute-related matters.
• Coordinate with internal teams to develop factual records, identify relevant documents and witnesses, and ensure timely responses to litigation deadlines and requests from counsel.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, case assessments, and status reports for the General Counsel and other internal stakeholders, clearly communicating material developments, strategic recommendations, and potential exposure.
• Support the General Counsel on litigation-related initiatives, including developing and improving procedures for claims management, document preservation, discovery, and coordination with outside counsel.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school; active admission to and good standing with the New York State Bar required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of post-law school legal experience focused on litigation, including substantial experience managing complex civil litigation.
• Experience developing case strategy and handling pleadings, discovery, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and other stages of litigation.
• Experience litigating disputes involving real estate, commercial contracts, construction, development projects, or public entities preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple litigation matters, competing deadlines, and complex factual and legal issues.
• Strong legal research, analytical, writing, and oral advocacy skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely.
• Experience coordinating with outside counsel and internal stakeholders, including managing litigation budgets, discovery processes, and case reporting.
• Strong negotiation skills, sound judgment, and attention to detail in evaluating litigation risk and pursuing effective resolutions.
• Client service orientation and the ability to work independently with minimal day-to-day supervision while building effective working relationships across diverse teams.
• New York City residency is required within 180 days of hire.