Senior Associate - Legal

Compensation Type

Highgate Hotels

Hospitality Law Group, LLP ("HLG") is a unique and dynamic full practice law firm catering to the distinct requirements of the vibrant hospitality industry.  Brought to you in partnership with Highgate Hotels, LP (“Highgate”), HLG proudly extends our services to top-tier real estate investment firms, hospitality management companies, and ownership partners in major U.S. gateway cities and abroad.

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $15 billion of assets under management and a global portfolio of more than 400 hotels spanning North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

With a 30-year track record as an innovator in the hospitality industry, this forward-thinking company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate continues to demonstrate success in developing a diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts, featuring contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value.

With an executive team of seasoned hospitality leaders and corporate offices worldwide, Highgate is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. www.highgate.com

Location

Highgate Corporate Office New York City, NY

Overview

HLG is seeking a dynamic mid to senior-level associate, having a minimum of three (3) years of law firm experience. In this role, the candidate will report directly to our esteemed partners and contribute to the future of the firm. HLG embraces the modern work landscape, and this role provides hybrid to full remote opportunities. This role will immerse the candidate into a fast-paced, collaborative team, where the potential for growth and impact is boundless.

The candidate will be primarily responsible for the independent management and completion of transactional and litigation-based projects.  The role will require the candidate to engage with hotel properties across the United States in connection with a variety of duties. This role is geographically flexible with hybrid to full remote opportunities. 

Responsibilities

• Legal support to United States based hospitality operations.
• Thoroughly examine, analyze, and prepare responses to third-party subpoenas, state agency audit requests, and property-related inquiries.
• Draft responsive communications addressing issues involving hotel guests, tenants, vendors, and property-level matters.
• Engage with hotel properties across the United States to gather information, assess issues, and support timely legal responses.
• Contract review and related transactional support.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of hotel vendor contracts and related agreements.
• Support HLG development initiatives and other transactional matters as assigned.
• Collateral support to co-counsel leading litigation, arbitration, and claims support
• Assist with insurance coverage issues, document collection, case preparation, and matter tracking.
• Partner with the legal team on employment-related documentation, compliance questions, and process improvements.
• Identify and execute process and policy enhancements that support scalable, efficient contracting, litigation tracking, and legal operations workflows.
• Organize and maintain case materials using traditional and electronic document management systems.
• Assist the legal team with organizational, administrative, and project management matters as needed.
• Provide legal advice on various HLG development initiatives.
• Attend industry conferences supporting firm marketing and growth.
• 1500 annual billable hour requirement.

Qualifications

• JD degree required.
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; admission in New York, Texas, or California is a plus.
• Minimum of three years of transactional and/or litigation experience at a law firm.
• Experience with subpoenas, contract review, legal drafting, and matter management.
• Hospitality, real estate, employment, commercial litigation, insurance, vendor contracting, or multi-state regulatory experience is preferred.
• Excellent legal writing, analytical, and judgment skills.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional time management, organizational skills, attention to detail, and work ethic.
• Comfortable working in a high-pressure, high-volume environment with multiple assignments, concurrent deadlines, and shifting priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe, Westlaw and document management systems.

BENEFITS

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunity.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible PTO plan.
• 401(k) program.
• HSA and FSA options.
• Career development opportunities within a growing hospitality-focused legal platform.