Assistant, Associate or Senior Counsel for Contracts

Location: Albany or Buffalo, NY Category: Professional Positions Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Fri Mar 27 2026 Job Description:

About The Office Of General Counsel

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal services and support to the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and senior officers for the State University of New York (SUNY) at SUNY System Administration in Albany, New York, as well as to the presidents and administrators of the campuses within the System. Under the leadership of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and the General Counsel, the SUNY Office of General Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to the System and the 29 state operated campuses. The OGC consists of more than 70 experienced higher education attorneys, paralegals and support staff located in Albany at the System Administration headquarters and in campus-based offices at the four University Centers, Health Science Centers, and various SUNY colleges.

The legal practice of the OGC involves a substantial array of topics, including public procurement, governance and ethics, legislation, health care, capital construction, public finance, labor grievances and arbitration, litigation oversight (the State's Attorney General defends litigation brought against the University), student affairs, and the use of real property, among others. The OGC represents the State University in interactions with State officials who may regulate the affairs of the State University, including the Attorney General, State Comptroller, the Governor and staff, and members of the State Legislature as well as other state and local agencies and entities.

Duties And Responsibilities

The State University of New York System Administration, invites applications for a real estate counsel position within the OGC Contracts Practice Group (Contracts Counsel). The position will be filled as an Assistant, Associate, or Senior Counsel level, depending on the selected candidate's relevant experience. This position can be located in either Albany or Buffalo, NY.

As a staff member of the Office of the General Counsel, the Contracts Counsel will provide comprehensive legal services and guidance to the State University and its State-operated campuses on matters involving real estate, procurement, contracts, and business transactions, with a primary emphasis on real estate matters.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities for this role will focus primarily on real estate matters, including reviewing, negotiating, drafting, finalizing and assisting with obtaining regulatory approval for contracts for a wide range of real estate and related agreements and transactions including, without limitation:

• leases, as landlord and tenant;
• real property acquisitions and dispositions, including by purchase and gift;
• license agreements for the use of SUNY-owned or SUNY-controlled space;
• subordination, non-disturbance, and attornment agreements;
• estoppel certificates;
• lease surrenders, renewals, amendments, and early termination agreements; and
• other real estate-related agreements and transactions as needed.

The role will also include significant responsibility for procurement and contract matters, including without limitation:

• advising on solicitation document compliance;
• reviewing, negotiating, and drafting procurement-related contracts;
• responding to questions from regulators and auditors;
• advising on debriefings; bid protests and bid protest appeals; and
• handling emergency procurements and related approvals.

Additional Responsibilities Include

• drafting and/or reviewing data use agreements; affiliation and partnership agreements; interagency Memoranda of Understanding ("MOU"), outside counsel contracts and related regulatory approvals;
• conducting legal research and providing statutory and regulatory interpretation;
• responding to legal inquiries from SUNY System and campus clients;
• handling University-wide matters; and
• performing other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited ABA law school (or foreign equivalent).
• Admission to the New York State Bar (or eligibility for admission within six months) and a strong academic background.
• For appointment as Assistant Counsel, a minimum of 2 to 3 years of legal practice or other relevant legal experience before the start date.
• For appointment as Associate Counsel, a minimum of 3 to 5 years of legal practice or other relevant legal experience before the start date.
• For appointment as Senior Counsel, a minimum of 5 or more years of legal practice or other relevant legal experience before the start date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience handling real estate transactions and real property matters, particularly leasing, licensing, acquisitions, and related transactional work.
• Experience advising clients on procurement, contracting, and business transactions, preferably in the public sector.
• Experience working with governmental entities, public authorities, higher education institutions, or other regulated organizations.
• Familiarity with applicable New York State and federal laws, regulations, and approval processes relevant to real estate, procurement, and contracting, including experience working with regulators and oversight agencies.
• Experience managing complex legal matters and client relationships across multiple stakeholders.
• Superior written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and legal research skills.

Additional Information

• Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications.
• The range for an Assistant Counsel position is $92,000 - $119,000.
• The range as an Associate Counsel position is $105,000 - $151,000.
• The range as a Senior Counsel position is $122,000 - $160,000.
• Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time. 13 days of paid holidays per year; 21 days of vacation and 21 days of sick time accrued each year. Please see our Management/Confidential benefits summary for additional information.
• Management/Confidential appointments work under the leadership and discretion of the appointing authority and are not represented by a union.
• This position can be located in either Albany or Buffalo, NY. Limited telecommuting may be available. Some travel may be required depending on the needs of clients.
• Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants with a valid driver's license are preferred.

SUNY System Administration Benefits

SUNY System Administration provides an outstanding and comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family through the many life changes you may experience while you work for SUNY. Our nationally recognized benefits include:

• Retirement: The choice between a fully funded pension plan and a self-driven defined contribution plan, along with two supplemental plans to increase your ability to save for retirement.
• Health Insurance: Several health insurance options at an affordable cost that provide full coverage without mandatory deductibles.
• Time Off: Paid time off with separate vacation and sick leave accruals up to 21 days a year for each category.
• Additional paid leave policy options for childbirth, adoption, elder care, and other family care situations.
• Flexible Working Arrangements: Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid schedules, are available depending on position.

Explore our full benefits offerings here: www.suny.edu/benefits