Legal Counsel - Real Estate Acquisitions & Development

Company Overview

Realty Income aims to be a globally recognized leader in the S&P 100, committed to creating long-term value for all stakeholders. These stakeholders include our dedicated team members, who embody our purpose: building enduring relationships and brighter financial futures. This guiding principle serves as a beacon for our team, influencing every action we take.

Our employees consistently invest their time, commitment, and dedication into the company, and in turn, they receive investment returns in the form of purpose, belonging, and opportunities for advancement.

We are committed to best-in-class corporate responsibility practices through environmental initiatives, governance programs, and community outreach projects. From the boardroom to the breakroom, our team members make a difference every day.

Position Overview

Realty Income is looking to hire a Legal Counsel for our fast-growing Acquisitions and Development legal team. In this role, you will provide professional legal counsel to, and supervise and administer all necessary legal services for newly acquired properties in assigned matters, including completed and development projects. You will work in conjunction with other in-house attorneys and paralegals or outside counsel and third party service providers as required and provide legal advice to the relevant decision makers throughout the Company.

What You Will Be Working On:

Portfolio Acquisition Matters:

• Coordinate, analyze, manage, negotiate, document and close a wide range of multifaceted real estate acquisition and development transactions.
• Review, draft, negotiate and approve documents relating to the acquisition of real estate, e.g., confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, correspondence, purchase agreements, escrow instructions, lease agreements, lease or other document abstracts, amendments, assignments, estoppels, development agreements, title objection letters, deeds, closing documents, business entity documents, transaction summaries, etc.
• Review, evaluate and approve information and reports received in connection with the acquisition of real estate, e.g., title commitments and exception documents, plats, site plans, plans and specifications, surveys, environmental reports, engineering reports, construction monitoring reports, etc.
• Analyze entitlement status and zoning issues.
• Review existing loan documents and negotiate lender consent documents in connection with the assumption of in-place loans encumbering real estate.
• Supervise paralegals and legal assistants in coordinating escrow closings and post-closing matters.
• Apply risk management techniques, assess potential exposure, and offer proactive advice and solutions on possible legal issues arising in the course of an acquisition.
• Communicate and negotiate with a variety of external parties, e.g., brokers, external counsel, third‑party vendors.

General:

• Second‑level review of attorney and paralegal work, as needed.
• General legal research and investigation.
• Routine advice/counsel to all departments on legal matters.
• General legal document review, drafting and negotiating.
• Special projects and duties as assigned.

Property Management (PM)-Related Matters:

• Handle PM legal matters as assigned, e.g., draft/negotiate lease administration documents, and manage and close leasing transactions (e.g., lease agreements, lease amendments, guarantees, releases, lease assignments, consents to sublease, letter agreements, landlord lien waivers and subordinations, indemnification and access agreements, lease termination agreements, landlord estoppel certificates, tenant notices).
• Negotiate and process condemnations, easements, rights of way, rights of entry and similar agreements affecting title to properties.
• Review and interpret REA issues and other similar title encumbrances.
• Manage and monitor environmental issues. Review and analyze environmental reports. Draft/ negotiate environmental license agreements.
• Consult with PM on deal structuring.
• Consult with PM on lease compliance matters and interpretation of lease terms, conditions and issues.
• Tenant Defaults and Workouts:
  • Participate in workouts, including direct communications and negotiations with tenants and counsel.
  • Draft and negotiate workout documents, e.g., letter agreements, lease amendments, lease terminations, etc., and manage the resulting transaction.
  • Retain and oversee local counsel as and when necessary.
• Manage/oversee ongoing litigation and retain/supervise outside legal counsel.
• Manage/oversee property and liability insurance claims and related matters.

What You Need To Be Successful:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• We expect at least three years of commercial real estate acquisitions and development experience, either in house or with a law firm.
• Active bar license in good standing in the state in which you reside.
• Experience working cross‑functionally in a corporate setting and using business acumen to resolve unique and complex real estate issues is preferred.

This position is based in our San Diego office. Monday‑Thursday are in‑office for collaboration, with the opportunity to work remotely on Friday.

The pay range for this role is:

Legal Counsel: $120,968 – $175,490 – $226,411

Sr. Legal Counsel: $121,358 – $202,265 – $242,808

Offers near the high end are uncommon but may be considered for candidates with exceptional experience and skills and are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. You may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and an annual discretionary stock award, to be discussed during the interview process. An annual pay rate and total compensation package is generally determined by the candidate's experience, knowledge, education, skills, performance, and abilities, as well as internal equity, company performance, and alignment with market data.

We offer a best‑in‑class benefits package that includes healthcare, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents. Our 401(k) retirement plan has a company match of 50% up to 6% of eligible compensation. Realty Income also offers other wellness, financial, and work/lifestyle‑specific benefits, along with a generous PTO accrual; in addition to 12 paid holidays, and paid volunteer time. Realty Income’s purpose is to build enduring relationships and brighter financial futures, and this starts with you!

Realty Income is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you require accessibility support to submit your application or other reasonable accommodations to participate in the recruitment process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io, or call View phone number on click.appcast.io. An employee will respond to your message to begin the interactive process. Please note that this phone number and email address are only for individuals seeking a disability accommodation when applying for a job.