Municipal Law Associate (Rochester, NY)

Opportunity Description:
For a complete understanding of this opportunity, and what will be required to be a successful applicant, read on.

Mancuso Brightman, PLLC is looking for a dynamic attorney to join its growing municipal law and land use and zoning practice in its Rochester, New York. We welcome applications from talented and ambitious associate-level attorneys who are committed to both delivering top-notch legal work and to maintaining a work-life balance that we believe makes us better lawyers. Come join Mancuso Brightman’s small-but-mighty team of municipal lawyers and work with individuals who are recognized locally, regionally and across the State for their unwavering commitment to excellence in their legal work as well as their volunteerism and community involvement.

Company Overview:

Mancuso Brightman is a NYS MWBE (Minority-and-Women-Owned Business Enterprise) firm with offices in both the Rochester and Syracuse areas. The firm has reaped numerous accolades and honors since its formation, and our individual attorneys’ collective experience and recognition is even more impressive, allowing Mancuso Brightman to offer its clients knowledgeable and sophisticated representation without the Big Law price tag. This commitment to operating leanly and efficiently, while maintaining the highest levels of legal advocacy and work product, has earned the firm a prestigious reputation in the local legal community.

Our municipal team represents several municipalities in Monroe County, New York on a wide range of matters related to the day-to-day operation of local governments. Our attorneys serve as both legal counsel and advisors to local boards and municipal officers, providing counsel on numerous topics such as municipal governance, land use, zoning and comprehensive planning, drafting and amending local laws, compliance with the Open Meetings Law, Freedom of Information Law and the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and municipal litigation and CPLR Article 78 proceedings. Our attorneys work side-by-side with the officers and employees of the municipality to address the wide range of issues affecting local government. We represent local planning boards and zoning boards of appeal in all aspects of land use, planning, and zoning applications, including area and use variances, site plans, subdivisions, planned unit developments, rezoning, overlay district formation, incentive zoning, and special use permits.

Position Summary and Requirements:

We are seeking a mid-to-senior level associate (applicants will ideally have been in practice between three and five years, but candidates outside that range will still be considered). Experience in representing Town and Village Boards, including Planning Boards, Zoning Boards, and Historic Preservations Boards is preferred. Applicants are also expected to be able to attend board meetings on a monthly basis that occur in the evenings between Monday and Thursday each week. Additional consideration will be given to applicants with experience handling CPLR Article 78 proceedings. Applicants must be admitted to the New York State Bar and have a juris doctor from an accredited law school. Applicants should be able to draft documents required by SEQRA, drafting resolutions and local laws, and advise clients with respect to the Freedom of Information Law, code enforcement, procurement requirements under the General Municipal Law, and municipal contracts and ethics.

Candidates will support other members of the municipal team, but should also be comfortable interacting directly with clients and taking the lead role on certain matters where necessary. Associate attorneys are encouraged and provided the resources to pursue individual business development opportunities and foster their development through hands-on experience and the ability to curate their own client relationships.

The firm offers a competitive salary commensurate with years of experience, and because we are committed to being forward thinking and rewarding everyone that has contributed to the overall success of growing the firm, in addition to base compensation, all employees are offered a discretionary “profit share” at the end of each year based on an evaluation of the firm expenses and revenue for the budgeted year. The firm additionally provides a 401(k) with employer contributions, and four weeks of paid time off per year. There is significant flexibility for work options, including a firm policy that does not require any of our attorneys to meet a certain amount of billable hours in order to be eligible for the profit share. Consistent with the firm’s encouragement of attorneys being active on local legal boards and committees, the firm covers the costs associated with membership in state and local bar associations as well as all necessary CLE requirements. xrczosw

Mancuso Brightman PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.