Associate Counsel - Real Estate

Sunstone Two Tree is a vertically integrated real estate operator, developer, general contractor, and fund manager with deep expertise and a proven track record in workforce and attainable rental housing. Founded in 2012, our platform focuses on acquiring, renovating, and developing multifamily and build-to-rent communities in high-growth markets throughout the United States. Because we self-perform general contracting on our development and value-add projects, our legal and transaction work extends beyond traditional real estate documentation into construction-related matters — including subcontractor agreements, lien releases and lien claims, payment bonds, and contractor licensing and compliance. Our culture is highly collaborative, entrepreneurial, and hands-on — we believe execution happens on-site and in the details, not just from a spreadsheet. We leverage decades of institutional experience through a vertically integrated model to plan, execute, measure, and optimize performance in real time. Position Overview Sunstone Two Tree is seeking an Associate Counsel to support our growing portfolio of acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and development/construction projects. This is an in-office position based at either the Westlake Village, California office or Scottsdale, Arizona office. The Associate Counsel will report to the General Counsel and work closely with the CEO, CIO, development and deal teams. This attorney will play a hands-on role across the full lifecycle of the company's real estate investments — negotiating and structuring acquisitions and joint ventures, advising on financing transactions, and providing legal support for development and construction activity. Because Sunstone Two Tree operates as its own general contractor, this role also carries meaningful responsibility for construction-related legal matters, including subcontractor agreements, mechanic's lien exposure, and contractor licensing and compliance. The ideal candidate has approximately 3 to 5 years of experience in real estate, gained at a law firm, homebuilder, general contractor, or real estate investment firm, and is looking to take on broader ownership of legal matters in a lean, entrepreneurial in‑house environment. Key Responsibilities Negotiate, draft, and structure purchase and sale agreements, joint venture and operating agreements, and loan documents for acquisitions, dispositions, and financings. Structure and negotiate complex joint venture arrangements. Provide legal advice to the CEO, CIO, and deal teams on deal structuring, entity formation, and risk allocation across the acquisition, financing, development and disposition lifecycle. Direct and manage legal due diligence for acquisitions and dispositions, including title and survey review, and coordinate with outside counsel where needed. Advise on financing transactions, including loan negotiations, lender due diligence, covenant compliance, and workouts or refinancings. Oversee entity formation and governance for special purpose entities and joint ventures, including formation documents, operating agreements, and ongoing corporate maintenance. Advise on mechanic's lien exposure, preliminary notices, notices to owner, and lien releases and waivers, and manage resolution of related disputes. Monitor requirements for contractor and subcontractor licensing, insurance, and bonding compliance with state and local law. Manage outside counsel engagements on litigation, specialized regulatory matters, and other work requiring outside expertise. Support investor, lender, and joint venture partner communications on legal matters affecting deal terms, risk, and performance. Support development-related legal matters, including entitlements, permits, and construction contracts, in coordination with the development team. Maintain organized and accurate deal files, closing binders, and legal document repositories. Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA‑accredited law school and active membership in good standing with the California State Bar (or ability to qualify promptly). Approximately 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in real estate, construction, or corporate transactional practice, at a law firm, homebuilder, general contractor, or real estate investment firm. Strong working knowledge of purchase and sale agreements, joint venture and operating agreements, loan documents, and title/survey review. Hands‑on experience with construction‑related legal matters, including subcontractor agreements, mechanic's liens, lien releases, and notices to owner, ideally gained in a general contractor, homebuilder, or development environment. Experience advising on entity formation and governance for LLCs and other special purpose entities. Comfort managing multiple transactions and construction matters simultaneously in a lean, in‑house legal environment with limited outside‑counsel support. High degree of accuracy, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential and time‑sensitive matters. Strong written and verbal communication and negotiation skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; familiarity with document management and closing software a plus. #J-18808-Ljbffr Sunstone Two Tree