Managing Counsel

Our client – a NJ-headquartered family office focused on the development and management of millions of square feet of industrial, commercial, and residential properties and land development sites nationwide – is seeking to hire its first in-house lawyer. This newly created role will serve as the company’s de facto Head of Legal and primary legal advisor across the organization. The ideal candidate is a pragmatic, business-minded attorney with at least five years of experience handling real estate matters, including leasing, financing, and land use and zoning issues, and with working familiarity in areas such as taxation, corporate governance, and employment law. Given the breadth of the remit, this role is particularly well suited to a strong generalist with prior in-house experience or a law firm attorney ready to take on broader ownership and responsibility. The successful candidate will lead the legal function and work closely with the company’s President, senior leadership, and operating teams, while also managing relationships with outside counsel, lenders, joint-venture partners, and other counterparties. The organization offers a highly collaborative culture, meaningful autonomy, strong work-life balance, and long-term stability.

• Base salary of $150K – 250K depending on experience, plus eligibility for discretionary cash bonus.

Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial and other real estate leases;

• Oversee land use matters, including zoning, site planning, and related regulatory and political considerations;

• Support real estate financing transactions and assist in developing and refining the company’s debt and capital strategies;

• Advise on taxation matters, including issues involving U.S. owners of foreign corporations, in coordination with external tax advisors;

• Serve as a legal liaison between U.S. headquarters and the management of a European holding company;

• Partner with the controller and financial leadership to assess legal and business risk and develop mitigation strategies;

• Handle corporate governance matters, including entity management, regulatory filings, and ongoing compliance;

• Provide legal guidance to an affiliated charitable foundation on nonprofit governance and compliance matters;

• Support select corporate, transactional, and commercial agreements outside of core real estate work;

• Assist with employment, HR, and litigation matters as needed, primarily through oversight and coordination with outside counsel;

• Manage relationships with external counsel and collaborate with cross-functional teams on legal and business initiatives; and

• Advise on day-to-day operational and strategic matters as they arise.

Required Qualifications:

• J.D. from a top-tier law school;

• Licensed and in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar;

• At least five years of relevant experience, ideally gained at a top law firm and/or a sophisticated in-house legal department (prior in-house experience strongly preferred);

• Strong working knowledge of real estate law, particularly leasing, land use and zoning, and financing (borrower-side experience preferred);

• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating lease agreements;

• Working familiarity with U.S. tax law and comfort collaborating with specialist advisors;

• Experience representing family offices or closely held businesses is a plus;

• Excellent judgment and communication skills, with the ability to translate legal issues into practical, business-oriented advice; and

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

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About Solomon Page

Founded in 1990, Solomon Page is a specialty niche provider of staffing and executive search solutions across a wide array of functions and industries. The success of Solomon Page reflects an organic growth strategy supported by a highly entrepreneurial culture. Acting as a strategic partner to our clients and candidates, we focus on providing customized solutions and building long-term relationships based on trust, respect, and the consistent delivery of excellent results. For more information and additional opportunities, visit: solomonpage.com and connect with us on Facebook , and LinkedIn .

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