Senior In-House Real Estate Counsel

Acadia Realty Trust (NYSE:AKR) is a leading equity REIT headquartered in Rye, New York, with a focus on premier street and open‑air retail properties in the nation’s highest‑barrier urban markets – including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Dallas, and Boston. With ownership interests in approximately 228 properties and a portfolio anchored by marquee tenants, Acadia has established itself as a preeminent owner and operator in the urban and street retail space, as well as high‑quality open‑air shopping centers, including power and regional centers. Acadia operates through two complementary business lines: a core REIT portfolio focused on disciplined, long‑term value creation, and an investment management platform that deploys capital opportunistically alongside sophisticated institutional partners. With significant acquisition activity and an active development, redevelopment, and leasing pipeline, Acadia offers a uniquely broad platform for legal professionals seeking sophisticated, high‑impact work across a dynamic retail real‑estate portfolio.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Mid‑Level to Senior‑Level Attorney to join our in‑house legal team. The ideal candidate will have experience in commercial real estate, with a working knowledge of leasing and property operations. Experience in retail real estate is a plus.

Some of the key points that make this opportunity attractive include

• Direct engagement with Acadia’s senior leadership, asset management, and leasing teams from day one.
• A concentrated, high‑quality portfolio in marquee urban markets and premier open‑air shopping centers means you will work on sophisticated, complex deals.
• Small, dynamic legal team with broad scope: the right candidate will quickly develop expertise across leasing, operations, and acquisitions diligence.
• Acadia’s work atmosphere is driven by creative, high‑achieving individuals who are eager to serve as strategic contributors to the organization’s growth.
• Westchester location near the Harrison train station with a company provided shuttle service makes for an easy commute.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial leasing documents, including leases, amendments, assignments, letter agreements, SNDAs, and access agreements.
• Advise internal teams on lease interpretation issues, tenant defaults, and compliance with use restrictions and co‑tenancy provisions.
• Manage and coordinate bankruptcy‑related matters, including review of filings, proofs of claim, assumption/rejection motions, and other proceedings affecting landlord rights.
• Collaborate with outside counsel on operational matters.
• Support transactional legal matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and joint ventures.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a top law school with current bar admission.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Meaningful years of relevant experience at a law firm or in‑house legal department focused on commercial real estate; law firm training strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a complex transaction load and deliver results on tight timelines.
• Familiarity with the legal and business dynamics of commercial leasing, including open‑air shopping centers and urban retail properties, is a significant plus.
• Experience with tenant bankruptcies or litigation is a significant plus.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and sound legal judgment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a high level of professionalism.
• A commercially minded lawyer who delivers practical, solutions‑oriented advice to facilitate the efficient execution of well‑structured deals, rather than focusing solely on identifying risk.

Compensation

The base salary compensation range for this role reflects the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including skills, experience, and organizational needs. A reasonable current base salary range for this position is $175,000 - $200,000, plus eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus based on individual and company performance. Acadia also provides a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), paid time off, and continuing legal education support.

Acadia Realty is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veteran and Disability