General Counsel

General Counsel

Position Summary:

The General Counsel is a business partner to the President and executive team. Reporting to the President, this role leads legal strategy for real estate acquisitions, development, and financing, with a strong emphasis on structuring, negotiating, and documenting complex transactions.

The General Counsel also oversees employment and labor matters across a multi-entity hospitality, gaming, and development portfolio, manages outside counsel, and protects the company from legal, regulatory, and contractual risk.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Real Estate Transactions & Financing

· Lead the legal side of acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and development projects from term sheet through closing.

· Structure, negotiate, and document construction loans, acquisition financing, mezzanine and preferred equity, refinancings, and loan modifications.

· Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, loan agreements, guaranties, inter-creditor agreements, JV and operating agreements, and ground and commercial leases.

· Oversee due diligence, title and survey review, zoning and entitlements, and closing documentation.

· Manage lender, investor, and partner relationships on legal matters, including compliance with loan covenants and reporting requirements.

Development & Construction

· Draft and negotiate construction contracts, architect and design agreements, development agreements, and consultant contracts.

· Advise on construction risk, change orders, payment disputes, liens, bonding, insurance, and warranty claims.

· Support the in-house construction company on contract administration, subcontractor agreements, and dispute resolution.

· Coordinate with municipalities and regulators on permitting, licensing, and land-use matters.

Employment & Labor

· Advise Human Resources and leadership on employment law compliance, including wage and hour, leave, discrimination, harassment, and accommodation.

· Guide investigations, terminations, severance and separation agreements, and restrictive covenants.

· Manage employment-related claims, agency charges, and litigation with outside counsel.

· Review and update employee handbooks, policies, and employment agreements across all entities.

· Advise on WARN Act notices, reductions in force, and other workforce actions.

Corporate, Governance & Risk

· Maintain corporate records and entity structures across the portfolio; support formation of new project entities.

· Draft and review commercial contracts, vendor agreements, NDAs, and hospitality management agreements.

· Identify legal and regulatory risks, including gaming and hospitality licensing, and recommend practical solutions.

Legal Department Leadership

· Oversee litigation strategy and manage outside counsel, budgets, and results.

· Build and lead the legal function, including any future legal staff.

· Serve as a trusted advisor to ownership and senior leadership on legal matters affecting the business.

Qualifications:

· Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.

· Active membership in the Florida Bar, or eligibility and willingness to obtain it (including Authorized House Counsel certification).

· 12+ years of legal experience, with significant time at a top-tier law firm and/or in-house with a real estate developer, owner, or investor.

· Deep experience structuring, negotiating, and documenting real estate financing transactions, including construction and acquisition loans, mezzanine debt, and joint venture equity.

· Strong drafting skills and command of complex transaction documentation from term sheet through closing.

· Working knowledge of employment and labor law and experience advising management on workforce matters.

· Proven ability to manage outside counsel and legal budgets.

Preferred

· Construction law experience, including AIA and ConsensusDocs contracts, construction claims, and lien matters.

· Experience with luxury hospitality, mixed-use, or condominium development projects.

· Exposure to gaming, hospitality, or liquor licensing and regulatory compliance.

· Prior experience as General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel of a privately held company.

· Admission in Nevada or other states where the company operates.

Key Competencies

· Commercial judgment: practical, deal-focused advice that moves transactions forward while managing risk.

· Executive presence and clear, direct communication with ownership and senior leadership.

· Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with multiple active projects and tight deadlines.

· Discretion and integrity when handling highly confidential business and personnel matters.