Senior Counsel, Real Estate

Senior Counsel, Real Estate

WeWork

New York City, NY, US

Job Type: Full-Time

Function: Legal

Industry: Proptech

About WeWork

Whether you're an established enterprise or a growing startup, discover flexible spaces and solutions to move your business forward with WeWork. Welcome to the workplace of tomorrow.

Job Description

At WeWork, we provide flexible workspace solutions to help businesses of all sizes thrive in more than 37 countries worldwide. The future of work is here, and we're not just a part of that movement—we're leading it. United by a desire to build a global community, our purpose is to give members the support to do their best work, and the space to take their ideas to new heights. Join us as we empower tomorrow's world at work.

WeWork is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Real Estate Counsel to join its dynamic legal team to assist in managing and growing its global footprint of over 28 million square feet.

The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of five years of dedicated experience within real estate legal practice, demonstrating deep expertise and extensive exposure to complex leasing transactions.

This role will serve as a primary legal advisor, offering expert counsel concerning WeWork's current and expanding real estate portfolio in the United States and Canada. A core focus of this position will be on all aspects of leasing, including negotiation, lease interpretation, and the diligent handling of any real estate-related queries, escalations, or complex legal issues arising within WeWork's extensive network of buildings.

This pivotal role demands a professional who is not only adept at drafting and negotiating substantial leases across diverse markets within the United States but also experienced in managing all associated ancillary lease documents and management agreements. Furthermore, a strong understanding of, and familiarity with, navigating lease disputes is essential.

Beyond technical legal acumen, the successful candidate will be a proven team player, accustomed to collaborating seamlessly within cross-functional environments. Exceptional organizational skills are paramount, enabling the attorney to consistently prioritize, coordinate, and effectively manage numerous competing demands while maintaining a high level of accuracy and efficiency. The ability to consistently achieve deadline-driven results in direct support of broader business objectives is a key requirement.

WeWork operates within a fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape, thus candidates must demonstrate a strong sense of urgency and a proven ability to embrace change and exhibit resilience in a dynamic environment.

This position will be based in WeWork's New York office and will report directly to the Head of Real Estate Legal.

Key Responsibilities:

• Transactional Execution: This includes, but is not limited to, large commercial office leases, management agreements, lease amendments, subordination and non-disturbance agreements, and estoppel certificates. The attorney will ensure all documentation protects WeWork's interests while facilitating the company's business goals.
• Asset Management & Operational Support: Providing critical legal interpretation of existing leases and support to various WeWork business units on any asset-related questions, emerging issues, escalations, or potential disputes. This requires a deep understanding of contractual obligations and property law.
• Real Estate Due Diligence for Strategic Initiatives: Conducting thorough real estate due diligence in connection with strategic initiatives, including identifying and assessing real estate-related risks and opportunities integral to such strategic initiatives.
• Optimization: Actively participating as a collaborative stakeholder in the development, refinement, and continuous improvement of internal legal processes and best practices. This role contributes to enhancing operational efficiency and legal compliance.
• Strategic and Practical Legal Advice: Delivering timely, strategic, and practical legal advice to internal clients across all organizational levels, ranging from operational teams to top-level executives. This necessitates the ability to translate legal concepts into clear, actionable recommendations.

About You

• Education: Possession of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or its foreign equivalent from an accredited institution is required.
• Bar Admission: Admission to the New York State Bar or eligibility to register as in-house counsel within New York is required.
• Experience: Minimum of five years of direct experience in leasing and commercial real estate practice is essential. A background that combines top-tier law firm training with in-house exposure is highly preferred.
• Technical Mastery: Demonstrated ability to proactively identify novel and complex legal issues, escalate them appropriately when necessary, and effectively translate intricate legal requirements into clear, understandable, and risk-based recommendations for both business and legal functions.
• Judgement & Ownership: The capacity to take ownership of one's work product, demonstrating accountability and the ability to operate effectively and independently with minimal oversight, while still maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Pay: $200,000 to $230,000 annually

Incentive Compensation: WeWork employees are eligible to participate in an incentive plan specific to their role. Your recruiter will detail what incentive plan is applicable to this specific role. WeWork incentive plans are subject to the terms of the applicable incentive compensation plan, which will be made available to you after commencing employment. WeWork reserves the right to amend its incentive plans, and nothing in this job requisition or any other document creates a right to a specific incentive plan payment.

Benefits: Full-time employees are eligible for comprehensive benefits (subject to the terms of applicable plans/policies/agreements, which will be made available to you after commencing employment), including: 20 days of PTO, approximately 13 paid holidays, and 80 hours of paid sick time per full calendar year; 16 weeks paid parental leave; competitive healthcare benefits; 401k plan; and life and AD&D insurance.

Life at WeWork

Being a WeWorker is more than just a job. We believe the magic of work is sparked by the passion you bring, the places you go, the people you meet and the purpose you follow. And it starts here. Here you will brush shoulders with those who dare to dream and do. Here you will be welcomed by a community that embraces and inspires you—because together we can achieve more. Here we challenge ideas, and explore new ways of getting things done. Whether you are part of our Employee Community Groups, or part of a global project, we ask you to bring your open-minded attitude and collaborative spirit. In return, you will be part of a team where your unique perspectives are celebrated.

WeWork is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil status, pregnancy (or pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression, transgender status or gender reassignment, race, color, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including genetic testing and characteristics), military or veteran status, or any other grounds or characteristic that is protected under the law. WeWork is also proud to be an affirmative action employer with respect to veterans and individuals with disabilities.