In-house Legal Counsel

About the role

Our client, a leading architecture firm in New York City, is seeking a detail‑oriented Legal Counsel to manage legal operations and the professional insurance portfolio. The role serves as a strategic advisor to executive and design teams, ensuring projects comply with licensing laws, building regulations and risk‑management best practices.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate owner‑architect agreements, interior design purchasing agreements, consultant contracts and vendor terms, including AIA contract documents.
• Manage the firm’s insurance portfolio – professional liability (E&O), commercial general liability and employment practices liability insurance.
• Identify and resolve design‑liability issues, construction administration disputes and project‑delay claims before they escalate.
• Protect proprietary designs, custom furniture concepts and digital assets through copyright, trademark filings and robust non‑disclosure agreements.
• Monitor corporate compliance, sales‑tax obligations on FF&E and multi‑state professional licensing requirements for designers and architects.

Required profile

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing.
• 4–7 years of legal experience, preferably split between a law firm and an in‑house role focusing on construction law, real‑estate development or design‑professional liability.
• Deep knowledge of the architectural and interior‑design lifecycle, procurement risks, mechanics’ liens and industry‑standard insurance structures.

Required skills

What we offer

• Competitive base salary starting at $135,000 per year for full‑time employees.
• Full‑time schedule: four days on‑site in the New York office and one remote day; part‑time consulting option available.
• Opportunity to work with a leading architecture firm and advise executive and design teams on complex legal and risk‑management matters.