Legal Counsel Jobs in New York
Legal Counsel jobs in New York represent one of the most active and competitive markets in the country, with demand concentrated in corporate law, financial regulatory compliance, and technology transactions at every level from junior associate counsel through general counsel. Most openings are in New York City, Buffalo, and Albany, where major employers such as JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, and Verizon maintain large legal departments with ongoing hiring. Contract negotiation, data privacy, and securities compliance are among the most sought-after specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 62+ Legal Counsel jobs
DESCRIPTION
Key job responsibilities
- Provide strategic legal counsel to senior business leaders on a broad range of legal and business matters.
- Identify, assess, and manage legal risks across multiple business lines and jurisdictions.
- Develop and implement legal strategies that support business objectives while mitigating risk.
- Advise on regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and emerging legal issues.
- Draft and negotiate complex, commercial agreements.
- Lead cross-functional projects and collaborate with internal stakeholders at all levels.
- Contribute to the development of legal policies, processes, and best practices.
About the team
You will join a team of experienced attorneys who serve as trusted strategic partners to business stakeholders. Amazon's legal department is one of the largest in-house legal teams in the world, offering the opportunity to work on legal issues across a wide range of business areas in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of post bar admission legal experience
- Juris Doctor and membership in one state bar or equivalent
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience as in-house attorney
- • Experience in private practice or in house experience at a technology company or equivalent
- • Experience providing legal counsel to senior business stakeholders.
- • Experience in technology, retail, manufacturing, logistics, or e-commerce industries.
- • Experience independently managing complex commercial transactions and legal matters.
- • Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment in ambiguous situations and provide practical, business-oriented legal advice.
- • Strong leadership skills, with experience mentoring junior team members.
- • Ability to manage competing priorities from multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
- • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, NY, New York - 169,300.00 - 229,000.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 153,900.00 - 208,200.00 USD annually
USA, WA, SEATTLE - 153,900.00 - 208,200.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Key job responsibilities
- Provide strategic legal counsel to senior business leaders on a broad range of legal and business matters.
- Identify, assess, and manage legal risks across multiple business lines and jurisdictions.
- Develop and implement legal strategies that support business objectives while mitigating risk.
- Advise on regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and emerging legal issues.
- Draft and negotiate complex, commercial agreements.
- Lead cross-functional projects and collaborate with internal stakeholders at all levels.
- Contribute to the development of legal policies, processes, and best practices.
About the team
You will join a team of experienced attorneys who serve as trusted strategic partners to business stakeholders. Amazon's legal department is one of the largest in-house legal teams in the world, offering the opportunity to work on legal issues across a wide range of business areas in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of post bar admission legal experience
- Juris Doctor and membership in one state bar or equivalent
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience as in-house attorney
- • Experience in private practice or in house experience at a technology company or equivalent
- • Experience providing legal counsel to senior business stakeholders.
- • Experience in technology, retail, manufacturing, logistics, or e-commerce industries.
- • Experience independently managing complex commercial transactions and legal matters.
- • Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment in ambiguous situations and provide practical, business-oriented legal advice.
- • Strong leadership skills, with experience mentoring junior team members.
- • Ability to manage competing priorities from multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
- • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, NY, New York - 169,300.00 - 229,000.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 153,900.00 - 208,200.00 USD annually
USA, WA, SEATTLE - 153,900.00 - 208,200.00 USD annually
See All 62 Legal Counsel Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Legal Counsel JobsLegal Counsel Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Counsel Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Banking & Financial Services
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Investment & Asset Management
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal counsel jobs across New York.
- Active admission to the New York State Bar through the New York State Board of Law Examiners
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school recognized for New York bar eligibility
- Experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts in a corporate or in-house setting
- Demonstrated knowledge of New York state and federal regulatory compliance frameworks
- Strong written communication skills for legal memoranda, policies, and stakeholder advisories
- Ability to advise senior leadership on legal risk across multiple business units simultaneously
Legal Counsel Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal counsel in New York?
To become a legal counsel in New York, you must earn a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and pass the New York State Bar Examination, administered by the New York State Board of Law Examiners. After passing, you complete character and fitness review and are admitted to the New York State Bar. Most in-house legal counsel roles in New York also expect prior experience at a law firm or government agency before moving into a corporate legal department.
How much do legal counsels make in New York?
Legal counsels in New York earn a median of about $207,860 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $85,200 for the lowest 10% to over $391,420 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire legal counsels in New York?
Employers hiring legal counsels in New York right now include Amazon, GIC, and OKG, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. New York's density of financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and multinational headquarters makes it one of the most varied in-house legal markets in the country.
Which New York cities have the most legal counsel jobs?
The cities with the most legal counsel openings in New York are New York, Brooklyn, and Queens. New York City dominates because of its concentration of corporate headquarters, investment banks, and global law firm offices, while Albany draws openings tied to state government agencies and regulated industries, and Buffalo has grown as regional financial and healthcare institutions expand their in-house legal teams.
Are there remote legal counsel jobs in New York?
Yes, and more than many legal roles allow. About 77% of legal counsel openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based and advisory nature of in-house counsel work. Contract review, compliance advising, and policy drafting are the functions most commonly offered on a fully remote or hybrid basis by New York employers.
How can I get hired as a legal counsel in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a clerkship or government fellowship, with positions at the New York Attorney General's Office and New York City Law Department regularly open to recent law school graduates. Large New York employers such as major financial institutions and hospital systems hire associate counsel or junior legal analyst roles where new admittees can build in-house experience. A New York State Bar admission in hand, combined with any externship or clinic work in corporate or regulatory practice, gives candidates a clear advantage over those still awaiting bar results.
Where can I find and apply to legal counsel jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to legal counsel jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to New York employers. Search for roles that match your practice area and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 62 Legal Counsel Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Legal Counsel Jobs