Job Description

We’re looking for an exceptional In-House Counsel to handle a range of complex legal work from an entrepreneurial, business-minded perspective.

The corporate counsel will execute legal aspects of the company’s retail commercial real estate, corporate, and lending activities. The role works in collaboration with colleagues and supports leasing, acquisitions, development, construction, finance, and ongoing operations across the portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a highly capable attorney with strong transactional judgment, excellent drafting skills, business acumen, and the ability to independently manage many matters at once. This is an in-office, in-house position working closely with non-legal team members on a daily basis.

Key Responsibilities:

Retail Lease Negotiation & Drafting

• Lead negotiation, drafting, and execution of retail leases, including amendments, renewals, assignments, and terminations.
• Ensure lease terms align with business goals, risk mitigation, and development/construction timelines.

Real Estate Transactions

• Support acquisitions, dispositions, and financings of retail properties, including due diligence, title/survey review, and contract drafting.
• Draft and review PSAs, closing documents, title commitments, easements, and development-related agreements.
• Coordinate transaction closings.

Real Estate Development

• Support development projects from pre-development through construction. Assist on land use, zoning, platting, and permitting.
• Draft and review documents affecting development, including easements and restrictions (REAs, CC&Rs, access agreements).
• Assist with due diligence, including title and survey review and identifying encumbrances and restrictions impacting site development

Corporate Organization

• Form and maintain corporate entities, governance documents, resolutions, and organizational records.
• Manage federal, state, and local filings and ensure compliance with all corporate documentation requirements.

Commercial Lending

• Draft, review, and revise financing documents for loans the company extends to private borrowers.
• Oversee legal due diligence, title review, and loan closings.

Dispute Resolution

• Manage disputes arising from business activities.
• Oversee enforcement actions, collections following tenant vacancy, and use of collections counsel or consultants.
• Recommend, retain, and manage external litigation counsel; provide ongoing updates to senior management, ensuring disputes are resolved efficiently, cost-effectively, and in alignment with the company’s business goals.

Management & Documentation

• Help hire and direct outside counsel, assigning tasks to manage overall legal workload.
• Maintain documentation of transactions.
• Track and manage legal budgets.

Qualifications:

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• 5+ years of commercial real estate legal experience required. Retail real estate experience, as well as corporate and lending experience highly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in real estate transactions, leasing, and commercial lending.
• Understanding of corporate governance, permitting, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
• Highly organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities across departments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus performance bonuses
• 401(k) with company match
• Opportunity to invest in high-return company-organized real estate projects
• Health insurance
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Professional development financially supported

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