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Contracts And Real Estate
The Contracts And Real Estate Division provides counseling services to City agencies and officials on transactional matters. Division attorneys evaluate and approve City agreements, leases, business documents, and contracts totaling more than $10 billion annually. They also structure, negotiate, and draft complex agreements entered into by City agencies. Business and land use restrictions and considerations that do not apply to the private sector can make their work even more complex—for example, the need to award, within certain limits, contracts to the lowest bidder to protect the public interest. Division lawyers are highly trained in regulations and statutes applicable to municipal contracts and real property transactions as well as administration, budget, and public policy concerns and general commercial law. A primary responsibility of Division attorneys is to review and approve various City agreements and real estate documents for legal sufficiency and compliance with governing statutes and regulations.
What New Attorneys Do
New lawyers begin with a focus on statutes and regulations applicable to municipal contracts and real property transactions and on general commercial law. New attorneys review simpler agreements and advise agencies on the processes that must be followed to enter into such agreements. New attorneys also assist in drafting various documents that originate in the Division and comment on drafts of documents, such as procurement bid documents created by other agencies. New attorneys are often asked to conduct legal research and analysis in connection with these agreements.
What Experienced Attorneys Do
Experienced attorneys continue developing their knowledge of the City agencies, boards, commissions and offices, as well as administration, budget, and public policy concerns. Experienced attorneys eventually assume responsibility for special counseling projects, some of which may involve temporary assignment outside the Division, and for structuring, negotiating, and drafting complex agreements. Experienced Attorneys may be asked to assume responsibility for expertise in specific fields relevant to transactional practice, such as insurance, intellectual property, compliance with statutory privacy regimes, federal contracting and telecommunications.
What Summer Interns Do
Summer interns in the Division assist attorneys with various aspects of the Division’s matters. Work may include research and analysis of legal issues related to contracts or real estate transactions to address specific questions; writing memoranda; and attending and participating in Division meetings and meetings with agency clients. Interns in the Contracts and Real Estate Division will gain insight into the day-to-day workings of the City and the legal exploration of new City initiatives as they arise.