Economic Development

The Economic Development Division acts as the City's business and transactional counsel for a wide range of challenging and complex projects that are intended to enhance the City's economic base either by generating direct revenue for the City treasury or by strengthening the City's tax base and general economic health. Division attorneys work on all aspects of the transaction, helping to structure the deal from its inception, negotiating and drafting the documentation, following through to closing and administering the agreements after closing. The Division's work is diverse and can run the gamut from the sale of an individual parcel of City-owned land to the redevelopment of entire neighborhoods such as Manhattan's Far West Side and the proposals for Sunnyside Yards in Queens. In addition, the Division advises on corporate issues in connection with the formation of new not-for-profit entities and on corporation governance issues with existing entities such as Trust for Governors island. The Division also advises on all aspects of telecommunication matters. The Division works closely with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Housing and Workforce Development, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and many other City and State agencies, including Empire State Development and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

What Summer Interns Do

Summer interns in the Division assist attorneys on various aspects of their matters. Work may include reviewing and analyzing contracts or leases to address specific questions; participating in the negotiation and drafting of leases, licenses, funding agreements or other documents; researching and writing memoranda on a wide variety of issues arising in connection with real estate, transit, telecommunications or corporate matters; and attending meetings, hearings and transaction closings.

Read the Law Department's Annual Reports for More Information about the Economic Development Division