General Counsel

General Counsel (Real Estate)

Location: New York, NY

Salary: $200,000-$250,000 (potential for bonus)

We are seeking an experienced and strategic General Counsel to lead all legal functions for a growing real estate platform. This individual will serve as a key advisor to executive leadership, providing guidance on complex transactions, risk management, land use matters, and corporate governance while supporting continued growth across acquisitions, development, and asset management.

Position Overview

The General Counsel will oversee all legal aspects of real estate investments and operations, including acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing, development, and land use. This role will partner closely with internal stakeholders and external counsel to efficiently structure and execute transactions while ensuring compliance and mitigating risk across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead legal strategy for real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and financings
• Draft, review, and negotiate key agreements, including purchase and sale agreements, loan documents, leases, and development contracts
• Advise executive leadership on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters
• Oversee corporate governance, entity structuring, and internal policies
• Manage land use, zoning, and entitlement matters across multiple jurisdictions
• Support leasing activities, including negotiation and execution of commercial leases
• Oversee litigation and disputes, partnering with outside counsel as needed
• Monitor changes in real estate law, zoning regulations, and compliance requirements
• Build and manage relationships with external legal partners and service providers

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) and active bar membership in good standing
• 6-10+ years of legal experience with a strong focus on real estate transactions
• Background in a law firm and/or in-house legal role within real estate, private equity, or investment management
• Deep knowledge of commercial real estate law, including acquisitions, financing structures, joint ventures, and leasing
• Experience managing land use and zoning matters across multiple jurisdictions
• Strong negotiation, drafting, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to operate in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Excellent communication skills and executive presence

Preferred Experience

• Experience with vertically integrated real estate platforms
• Exposure to retail, industrial, or mixed‑use portfolios
• Experience supporting both transactional and operational legal matters, including landlord and tenant‑side leasing

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.