Princeton Legal Search Group is retained on an exclusive basis to lead the search for a Senior Counsel for a diversified real estate development and management group of companies and partnerships located in Los Angeles, California. Our client’s focus is to expand its portfolio of proven and well-located properties including multi-family, industrial, retail, commercial, for-sale and congregate care through acquisition and development while providing stable cash flow to its partners and outside investors. This is a national search and relocation assistance is available.
Job Summary
This Senior Counsel will directly report to the General Counsel and assist with items such as: negotiating, drafting, and closing a full array of commercial real estate acquisition, finance, lease, disposition, and ancillary agreements, and other corporate, contractor, and service agreements, and; meeting with business partners to strategize and offer legal as well as business advice. Possession of administrative, managerial, and interpersonal skills is desired.
Essential Functions
This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this position. The Senior Counsel may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description.
- Negotiate, structure, draft, and close commercial lease agreements, purchase and sale agreements, loan documents, management agreements, listing agreements, and reciprocal easement agreements.
- Perform due diligence for, and coordinate transactions and work with team to close, commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions, with and without loans.
- Review title commitments, recorded documents, and surveys, and generate title and survey objections.
- Draft corporate resolutions, partnership agreements, operating agreements, joint agreements with other organizations, and other corporate documents as well as contractor, consulting, and service agreements.
- Track and follow up on transaction tasks, parties, key dates, and post-closing matters, and communicate progress to team as issues and tasks are resolved.
- Oversee filing of entity formation documents and recordation of deeds, deeds of trust/mortgages, amendments, subdivision maps, lot line adjustments, easements, CC&Rs, and similar documents.
- Conduct basic legal and business research and analyze legal issues relating to proposed agreements and planned courses of action.
- Timely produce high-quality work product while minimizing risk.
- Review and advise on new business relationships with vendors and subcontractors.
- Meet with and guide business partners, executives, and managers on above matters and occasional regulatory and compliance matters.
- If necessary, represent the company and related entities before administrative boards and in court trials.
- Provide supervision to outside lawyers hired to assist the corporation using their specialized legal services.
- Focus on helping company achieve project and financial goals of effectively executing development programs and meeting or exceeding budgeted revenue and reducing company losses.
- Help identify opportunities to optimize departmental efficiency and achieve performance goals set in accordance with owners’ and executives’ expectations.
- Promote a positive, growth-oriented environment for department and company-wide staff.
- Help develop a motivated team through effective personnel management; lead by example, setting and communicating clear standards to guide staff to fulfill their potential.
Other Responsibilities
- Work with other departments (Commercial, Conventional Multi-Family, Affordable Multi-Family, Operations, Asset Management, Property Management, Development & Construction, Facilities, Accounting, Marketing, Information Services) to ensure consistent and open communication.
- Assist the General Counsel, as needed, in long-range planning, communications, and other tasks.
- Promote positive, proactive relations by demonstrating a firm, fair, and consistent manner in all interactions, keeping in mind the political and social impact of decisions.
- Participate in company-provided training such as fair housing, safety, non-discrimination, and harassment prevention.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Exceptional legal writing, issue-spotting, and communication skills.
- Excellent organizational, time-management, and critical thinking skills.
- Great attention to detail and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Developed administrative, managerial, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and take initiative to accomplish objectives in a timely manner with moderate to little supervision.
- Ability to communicate clearly with and effectively present information to General Counsel, CEO, and owners.
- A proactive, collegial team member with effective client relations skills.
- Knowledge of computer systems and applications; must be highly computer proficient, including with Microsoft Office programs, internet use and research, and email.
- Knowledge of HUD, regulatory, and housing compliance matters is desired but not required.
- Knowledge of organizational and multi-family community policies and procedures is desired but not mandatory; but must be able to apply policies and procedures to solve everyday issues.
Minimum Qualifications Required
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
- Licensed by the bar in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (California is preferred but not mandatory).
- Skilled in negotiating, drafting, and closing transactional real estate, finance, and corporate legal documentation.
- Ability to bring a strong work ethic and sound advice to General Counsel, CEO, and owners.
- At least 7 years’ prior experience in law firms and/or in-house legal departments as a transactional commercial real estate attorney.
- At least three (3) supervisor references if invited to interview.
Salary commensurate with experience. Bonus eligible position. Hybrid work model. Relocation assistance is available.
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