General Counsel- Real Estate

Job Description

A highly successful, multi-billion-dollar national real estate development and investment firm is seeking an exceptional, business-minded General Counsel to serve as its chief legal officer and strategic partner to the executive leadership team. The firm commands a high-profile portfolio spanning ultra-luxury high-rise residential towers, hospitality projects, innovative master-planned co-living brands, and mixed-use commercial properties.

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The incoming General Counsel will manage all legal, regulatory, and risk functions across a fast-paced development pipeline, safeguarding the firm's capital investments while actively facilitating complex transactions and joint venture developments.

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Key Responsibilities

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Transactional & Structural Legal Strategy

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• Agreement Architecture: oversee the structuring, drafting, and negotiation of complex, multi-party commercial real estate transactions.
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• Financing & Capital Structuring: advise on capital stack formation, including senior construction loans, mezzanine financing, preferred equity, and institutional capital partner negotiations.
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• Joint Venture Partnerships: structure and manage sophisticated joint venture (JV) arrangements with landowners, financial institutions, and equity partners.
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Development & Land Use Operations

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• Zoning & Entitlements: collaborate with development teams to navigate municipal zoning, land use permissions, environmental compliance, and entitlement processes for large-scale vertical developments.
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• Construction & Development Law: handle construction contracting, architectural agreements, GMP contracts, and dispute resolution framework to mitigate project delays.
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Corporate Governance & Risk Management

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• Corporate Architecture: direct the firm's overall corporate structure, parent-subsidiary relations, and specialized entity management (LLCs, LPs) for distinct asset portfolios.
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• Risk Mitigation & Litigation: proactively insulate the company from operational vulnerabilities by designing comprehensive litigation avoidance strategies and managing external trial counsel when necessary.
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• Insurance & Liability: manage the corporate insurance program, wrap-up policies, and liability coverage tailored to high-density construction and asset management.
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Candidate Profile & Qualifications

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• Education & Licensure: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school with active bar admission.
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• Experience: Minimum of 10–15 years of sophisticated real estate legal experience, ideally combining major AmLaw firm training with senior in-house roles at a prominent developer or investment fund.
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• Vertical Development Domain: Proven track record executing large-scale, high-density vertical real estate projects (e.g., luxury condominiums, high-end hospitality, or master-planned developments).
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• Technical Skills: Mastery of complex real estate financing mechanisms, complex joint venture negotiations, and sophisticated corporate structures.
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• Leadership Style: Exceptional business acumen; an executive who offers commercial solutions rather than just identifying legal risks.
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