Attorneys

Why Hodgson Russ

We are a team of more than 450 attorneys and professional staff who work with high-profile clients on complex, significant matters. Whether you are starting your legal career or seeking new opportunities, Hodgson Russ LLP offers an environment where people are able to forge their own paths, make their marks, and live fulfilling and impactful lives. We don’t just encourage meaningful work – we expect it. It’s why Hodgson Russ is one of the most prestigious and revered law firms in the country and is ranked among the top 200 law firms in America, the Am Law 200 firms.  

Entry Level Attorneys

We hire entry-level attorneys primarily through our Summer Associate Program. We also recruit third-year law students as needed for our growing practice areas.

Lateral Hiring

Our lateral hiring is based on the needs of our practice groups and the needs of our clients. We are also always interested in considering groups of experienced attorneys who possess a self-sustaining portable practice and would like to integrate into our firm. Our needs change over time. Whether or not we have a particular need, if you are an attorney with an outstanding record of academic and professional achievement, and you believe you would thrive at our firm, please contact us.

Questions about our open positions? Please contact:

Amanda Townley, Director of Attorney Recruitment and Integration
The Guaranty Building | 140 Pearl Street, Suite 100
Buffalo, NY 14202-4040
Tel: 716.848.1389 Fax: 716.849.0349
atownley@hodgsonruss.com

Open Positions

_{To submit a resume, cover letter, and transcripts for consideration for any of the following positions, please click here.}

CANNABIS Corporate associate (Buffalo, ROCHESTER, ALBANY, OR NEW YORK CITY)

Experience: 5 to 8 years in relevant cannabis law practice in the areas of corporate law, commercial transactions, and contracts.

Qualifications: 

• Experience in cannabis law or a strong interest in working within the industry.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple clients and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and business acumen.
• Preferred candidate has experience as lead attorney on several transactions in corporate law, with a focus on business transactions and demonstrated cannabis business transaction experience.

Responsibilities: 

• Represent cannabis clients in transactions, including entity formation, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, financing, and commercial agreements.
• Draft and negotiate contracts, operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and other corporate documents.
• Conduct due diligence and risk assessment related to cannabis-related transactions.
• Stay up to date on federal, state, and local cannabis laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with other attorneys and industry professionals to provide comprehensive legal solutions.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other practice areas to provide comprehensive solutions to clients.

Salary: $150,000 to $225,000

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, flexible spending, 401(k), Paid Time Off, pension plan, and more.  At this time, the good faith estimate of the annual salary range for this position, if the successful applicant is based in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, or New York City, is $150,000 to $225,000. Where a successful applicant is slotted within this range will vary based on legitimate criteria, such as experience and skill level. This range is not applicable to other locations.

Corporate associate (Buffalo)

Experience: 2 to 3 years in relevant practice experience in the areas of general corporate law, commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and contracts.

Responsibilities: 

• Assist team in all areas of corporate and commercial law.
• Draft, review, and revise all forms of commercial documents and agreements related to business formation, including shareholder agreements and operating agreements, merger and acquisition agreements, and commercial contracts.
• Work closely with the team to advise clients on a variety of corporate and business issues, including M&A transactions, commercial contracts, shareholder and operating agreements, and financing agreements.
• Evaluate compliance of corporate policies and procedures with government regulations, industry standards, and ethical standards.
• Perform legal research on corporate matters.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other practice areas to provide comprehensive solutions to clients.

Salary: $127,500 to $135,000

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, flexible spending, 401(k), Paid Time Off, pension plan, and more.  At this time, the good faith estimate of the annual salary range for this position, if the successful applicant is based in Buffalo, is $127,500 to $135,000. Where a successful applicant is slotted within this range will vary based on legitimate criteria, such as experience and skill level. This range is not applicable to other locations.

Corporate associate (New York City)

Experience: 2 to 3 years in relevant practice experience in the areas of general corporate law, commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and contracts.

Responsibilities: 

• Assist team in all areas of corporate and commercial law.
• Draft, review, and revise all forms of commercial documents and agreements related to business formation, including shareholder agreements and operating agreements, merger and acquisition agreements, and commercial contracts.
• Work closely with the team to advise clients on a variety of corporate and business issues, including M&A transactions, commercial contracts, shareholder and operating agreements, and financing agreements.
• Evaluate compliance of corporate policies and procedures with government regulations, industry standards, and ethical standards.
• Perform legal research on corporate matters.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other practice areas to provide comprehensive solutions to clients.

Salary: $150,000 to $175,000

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, flexible spending, 401(k), Paid Time Off, pension plan, and more.  At this time, the good faith estimate of the annual salary range for this position, if the successful applicant is based in New York City, is $150,000 to $175,000. Where a successful applicant is slotted within this range will vary based on legitimate criteria, such as experience and skill level. This range is not applicable to other locations.

Employee Benefits Partner (Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, or New York City)

Experience: 10+ years in employee benefits law.

Qualifications:

• Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefit laws and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code.
• Familiarity with compliance requirements related to executive compensation, qualified retirement, and welfare benefit plans.
• Draft, review, and revise all forms of commercial documents and agreements related to business formation, including shareholder agreements and operating agreements, merger and acquisition agreements, and commercial contracts.
• Preferred candidate will bring a client portfolio of employee benefits matters.

Responsibilities:

• Provide clients with counseling and advocacy services to assist clients in designing, establishing, maintaining, and operating a wide range of retirement, welfare, and executive compensation plans.
• Support mergers and acquisitions (due diligence, purchase agreement review, and drafting) and transactional matters.
• Draft employee benefit plan documents and summary plan descriptions.
• Technical proficiency in administrative service agreements related to retirement, welfare, and executive compensation plans.
• Assists with executive compensation matters, including 409A, 280G, equity compensation, proxy review, and associated securities law issues. 
• Drive business development initiatives to grow the practice, including leveraging existing relationships and cultivating new client opportunities.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other practice areas to provide comprehensive solutions to clients.

Salary: $175,000 to $450,000

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, flexible spending, 401(k), Paid Time Off, pension plan, and more.  At this time, the good faith estimate of the annual salary range for this position, if the successful applicant is based in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, or New York City, is $175,000 to $450,000. Where a successful applicant is slotted within this range will vary based on legitimate criteria, such as experience and skill level. This range is not applicable to other locations.

Immigration Partner (Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, New York City, Hackensack, Saratoga Springs, or PALM BEACH)  

Experience: 10+ years in business immigration law matters.

Qualifications:

• Expertise in business immigration law.
• Candidate will bring a strong client portfolio of corporate immigration matters.
• Proficient leader who excels in client service, team development, and practice growth.

Responsibilities:

• Advise on complex business immigration matters, including nonimmigrant visas, immigrant petitions, and adjustment of status.
• Counsel clients on preparing and filing all types of employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions, including under the E-1/2, H-1B, L-1, O-1, and EB-1/2/3 classifications.
• Provide strategic counsel to corporate clients across diverse industries.
• Work collaboratively with clients on risk mitigation and best practices.
• Uphold current U.S. immigration law, policy developments, and compliance issues.
• Drive business development initiatives to grow the practice, including leveraging existing relationships and cultivating new client opportunities.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other practice areas to provide comprehensive solutions to clients.

Salary: $175,000 to $450,000

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, flexible spending, 401(k), Paid Time Off, pension plan, and more. At this time, the good faith estimate of the annual salary range for this position, if the successful applicant is based in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, or New York City, is $175,000 to $450,000. Where a successful applicant is slotted within this range will vary based on legitimate criteria, such as experience and skill level. This range is not applicable to other locations.

Patent attorney (Buffalo, Rochester, or Albany)  

Experience: 1 to 4 years in intellectual property, patent preparation and prosecution.

Qualifications:

• Experience with patent preparation and prosecution of electronic, electromechanical, and/or optical systems.
• Familiarity with patent preparation and prosecution of software for operation of electronic, electromechanical, and/or image processing systems.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with preparing and prosecuting U.S. patent applications.
• Draft responses to USPTO office actions.
• Conduct patentability assessments.
• Coordinate patent filings in foreign countries.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, computer engineering, or another engineering discipline combined with demonstrated experience with electronic, electromechanical, or optical systems.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other practice areas to provide comprehensive solutions to clients.

Salary: $125,000 to $145,000

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, flexible spending, 401(k), Paid Time Off, pension plan, and more. At this time, the good faith estimate of the annual salary range for this position, if the successful applicant is based in Albany, Buffalo, or Rochester, is $125,000 to $145,000. Where a successful applicant is slotted within this range will vary based on legitimate criteria, such as experience, and skill level. This range is not applicable to other locations.

Title Review Associate (Buffalo, Rochester, or Albany) 

Experience: 5+ years in real estate law, focused on title reports, title curatives, and real estate surveys.

Qualifications:

• Experience with title examination, issue identification, risk assessment and lease negotiation in real estate transactions.
• Familiar with reviewing real estate surveys.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced skillset in Microsoft Excel (including data entry and pivot tables).
• Knowledge with database tracking systems and ability to maintain organized and accurate documentation of title review work.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with reviewing and analyzing title reports, commitments, and related documents.
• Identify title defects, exceptions, and encumbrances – assess legal risks and propose solutions
• Assist with negotiation of title insurance and insurance coverages.
• Draft title objection letters and communicate effectively with title companies, underwriters, and opposing counsel
• Perform legal research on title review matters, legal developments, and communicate implications internally.
• Maintain organized and accurate documentation of title review work and track deadlines.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Licensed to practice law in New York State
• Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other practice areas to provide comprehensive solutions to clients.

Salary: $135,000 to $160,000

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, flexible spending, 401(k), Paid Time Off, pension plan, and more. At this time, the good faith estimate of the annual salary range for this position, if the successful applicant is based in Buffalo, Rochester, or Albany, is $135,000 to $160,000. Where a successful applicant is slotted within this range will vary based on legitimate criteria, such as experience and skill level. This range is not applicable to other locations.

Trademark Associate (New Jersey, Buffalo, Rochester, or Albany)

Experience: 3 to 7 years in relevant practice of relevant experience with trademark and copyright issues.

Responsibilities:

• Assist team in all trademark and copyright-related activities for multiple business segments, including trademark searches, risk assessment, prosecution, maintenance, enforcement, and litigation.
• Advise on managing a trademark portfolio consisting of domestic and foreign marks as well as complex legal and business issues.
• Navigate the US Trademark Office’s processes to secure registration efficiently for clients.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other practice areas to provide comprehensive solutions to clients.

Salary: $135,000 to $175,000

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, flexible spending, 401(k), Paid Time Off, pension plan, and more.  At this time, the good faith estimate of the annual salary range for this position, if the successful applicant is based in Buffalo, Rochester, or Albany, is $135,000 to $175,000. Where a successful applicant is slotted within this range will vary based on legitimate criteria, such as experience and skill level. This range is not applicable to other locations.

Trusts & Estates Associate (Buffalo, Rochester, or New York City)

Experience: 6 to 9 years of experience in sophisticated estate planning and trusts matters. Experience in cross-border estate planning is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Advise clients on all aspects of estate planning and estate and trust administration.
• Serve high-net-worth individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and corporate trust departments and collaborate with other practice areas to deliver comprehensive solutions for clients.
• Develop and implement multi-generational wealth preservation strategies.
• Maintain strong client relationships, providing excellent service and communication.

Requirements:

• Proven track record of working with high-net-worth clients.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other practice areas to provide comprehensive solutions to clients.

Salary: $160,000 - $210,000

• A competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, flexible spending, 401(k), Paid Time Off, pension plan, and more.  At this time, the good faith estimate of the annual salary range for this position, if the successful applicant is based in Buffalo, Rochester, or New York City, is $160,000 to $210,000. Where a successful applicant is slotted within this range will vary based on legitimate criteria, such as experience, portables, skill level, and office location.