Associate Counsel

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State’s affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State.

Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, HCR is a vibrant, innovative agency that integrates and leverages New York State’s housing resources. We have offices in New York City, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse, and employ a diverse workforce of professionals who are hard-working and committed to serving low and moderate income families. Our mission is far reaching, encompassing single and multifamily housing finance, home improvement, rent regulation, housing subsidies, and community development. We partner regularly with a variety of public and private stakeholders.

Achieving this mission requires a wide range of skills and backgrounds in public policy, administration, real estate, construction. finance, law, and many other areas of expertise. We seek to provide a workplace environment that is productive, flexible, accountable, ethical, and caring. Our employees are empowered to make a difference where they live and work. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, retirement, and family-friendly policies.

The Office of Legal Affairs provides legal advice, counsel and representation to all the Agencies’ offices and program areas and ensures that all matters comply with federal and state legal mandates. The primary functions are organized within four major subject matter areas or units, General Law, Litigation, Hearings, and Transactions.

DUTIES:
The Attorney / Associate Counsel reports to the Deputy General Counsel of the New York State Housing Finance Agency Legal Department and serves as counsel for HCR in negotiating, analyzing, structuring, and closing secured loan real estate transactions. Additionally, the Attorney / Associate Counsel may be responsible for assisting on multi-family and single-family housing bond issuances, drafting legislation, preparation of materials for consideration by the Agency’s Boards, Agency administrative matters and other legal areas as required, as well as supervision of legal support staff engaged in similar duties. The Attorney / Associate Counsel will also perform legal services related to the Agency’s loan management, asset management, mortgage enforcement efforts, and architect and construction contracts.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be admitted to the practice of law in New York State.
• 5+ years’ experience, including experience in corporate, real estate, construction, and/or financing transactions. Candidate must have at least 1 year of experience supervising other attorneys and support staff.
• Experience and/or familiarity with real estate lending, public finance, construction lending and mortgage loan portfolio management.
• Knowledge of environmental law, tax law, and rent regulation preferred but not required.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with borrower’s and lender’s counsel along with HCR staff and attorneys.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

What we offer:

• Extensive benefits package including paid leave, excellent health, dental, vision and retirement benefits;
• Exciting opportunity to be part of New York’s resurgence to greatness;
• Promotional opportunity for dedicated professionals.