News & Announcements

Job Listing: General Counsel – Orange County IDA

JOB TITLE: General Counsel, Orange County (NY) Industrial Development Agency (contractor)

The Orange County Industrial Development Agency is seeking proposals from qualified local law firms to serve as “General Counsel” to the IDA. Each firm submitting a proposal in response to this RFP shall have at least one office operating full time in Orange County and be available to attend meetings of the IDA in person as needed and fulfill the responsibilities specified below. Each responding firm shall name the individual who will serve as the main point of contact for the IDA Board in its proposal. Firms responding to this RFP shall be multi-faceted and capable of providing full service legal representation other than bond related work. The IDA wishes to fill the position as soon as possible upon finding an acceptable candidate. Accordingly, the requested information should be sent as soon as possible from interested entities.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF GENERAL COUNSEL: Responsibilities will include but are not limited to reviewing applications for financial assistance from qualified applicants; advising the IDA Board concerning legal requirements under General Municipal Law Article 18-A; working with Bond Counsel to structure tax exempt and taxable bond transactions; reviewing and drafting leases and other contracts; advising the Board with respect to requirements under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act; Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Laws; ethics and conflicts of interest laws; drafting and reviewing contracts; preparing resolutions for action by IDA Board; working with accountants to complete annual reports; providing general advice to IDA Board members and the IDA staff.
FEE ARRANGEMENTS: Firms responding to this RFP shall provide either or both of the following rate structures: (A) an hourly rate based on the attorney performing the work or (B) a flat annual retainer (not to exceed) rate that includes all legal services performed as General Counsel except litigation. In addition, the General Counsel is typically permitted to charge applicants for work done on behalf of the IDA.
HOW TO APPLY: Firms meeting these qualifications shall send a narrative response including the resumes and titles of the attorneys who would be given primary responsibility to assist the IDA. Firms should also send a proposed retainer agreement(s). Firms should detail other municipal representation experiences and identify any potential conflicts as part of firm’s response. Responses should be emailed to: Michael Torelli, Chairman, Orange County IDA at MTorelli@ocnyida.com with a copy to Kelly Reilly, Project Manager at KReilly@ocnyida.com.
PROCUREMENT LOBBYING LAW RESTRICTED PERIOD FOR COMMUNICATIONS. Pursuant to New York State (“NYS”) State Finance Law  139-j and  139-k, this RFP includes and imposes certain restrictions on communications between the IDA and a responding firm during the procurement process. A responding firm is restricted from contacting other than designated staff from the earliest notice of intent to solicit proposals through final award and approval of a procurement contract by the IDA (“Restricted Period”) unless it is a contact that is included among certain statutory exceptions set forth in NYS State Finance Law  139-j(3)(a). The IDA Board and IDA staff are required to obtain certain information when contacted during the Restricted Period. The designated IDA contact for this RFP Michael Torelli who can be reached via email at MTorelli@ocnyida.com.
REGISTRY FOR RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS: Questions about this RFP can be submitted in writing to Michael Torelli with the subject line “Questions Re: RFP for IDA General Counsel” via email at
MTorelli@ocnyida.com with copy to Kelly Reilly at KReilly@ocnyida.com. Firms may register to receive responses to any questions asked pertaining to this RFP by sending an email to Kelly Reilly at KReilly@ocnyida.com. Upon registering, that email address will be provided with answers to any questions sent regarding this RFP.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: The IDA reserves the right to retain General Counsel at any time and intends to do so upon identifying an acceptable candidate. Accordingly, interested firms are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Publication: July 2021