Associate Counsel - Real Estate and Private Equity Firm

Job Description

Job Description

A real estate and private equity firm based in Greensboro is seeking a recent law school graduate or attorney with up to two years of experience to serve as Associate Counsel.

This is an unusual opportunity for a developing lawyer to work closely with the firm’s senior executive and principals on business transactions, investments, real estate matters, financing arrangements, and other strategic initiatives.

The Associate Counsel will help document business agreements, organize and advance transactions, and interact with counterparties and their attorneys on behalf of the firm. The position is designed for an intelligent, motivated lawyer who wants direct exposure to how transactions are evaluated, negotiated, documented, and completed.

This is not a traditional entry-level legal position in which the attorney performs only research or reviews documents after decisions have been made. The successful candidate will participate in matters from the initial business discussion through negotiation, documentation, due diligence, and closing, while receiving appropriate direction from the firm’s senior executive and experienced outside counsel.

Position Responsibilities

The Associate Counsel will:

• Work directly with the firm’s senior executive and principals on business transactions, investments, real estate matters, financing arrangements, and other projects.
• Help translate negotiated business terms into clear letters of intent, agreements, correspondence, and other transaction documents.
• Draft and review contracts, confidentiality agreements, consulting agreements, leases, purchase and sale agreements, corporate documents, and related materials.
• Communicate with counterparties, attorneys, brokers, lenders, accountants, consultants, and other outside professionals on behalf of the firm.
• Participate in negotiations and help document the business understandings reached by the parties.
• Coordinate due diligence, document production, approvals, signatures, closing requirements, and transaction timelines.
• Research legal and business issues and present conclusions in a clear, practical, and concise manner.
• Help identify legal, financial, and business risks requiring the attention of senior management or outside counsel.
• Work with and coordinate outside attorneys when specialized legal expertise is required.
• Assist with corporate governance, entity formation and maintenance, compliance matters, and legal recordkeeping.
• Maintain organized transaction files and track obligations, deadlines, approvals, and follow-up items.
• Follow matters through completion and help ensure that agreements are properly documented and implemented.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate should have:

• A law degree from an accredited law school.
• An active license to practice law in North Carolina, eligibility for admission, or the ability to obtain admission promptly.
• Between zero and two years of legal experience.
• Strong legal research, writing, drafting, and analytical skills.
• An interest in corporate transactions, commercial contracts, real estate, finance, investments, or closely held businesses.
• The ability and desire to understand the business purpose of a transaction, not simply its technical legal provisions.
• Confidence and professionalism when communicating with senior executives and outside parties.
• The judgment to recognize when a matter requires additional review or specialized outside advice.
• Strong organizational skills and careful attention to detail.
• The ability to manage several assignments and deadlines at the same time.
• A practical, responsive, and results-oriented approach to work.
• High standards of discretion, integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Prior experience in a corporate, transactional, commercial, real estate, or finance practice is helpful but not required. Relevant law school coursework, internships, clerkships, summer associate experience, or demonstrated business interest will also be considered.

The Opportunity

This position offers a developing lawyer direct exposure to an experienced business executive and a broad variety of transactions involving investments, real estate, operating businesses, financing, contracts, and strategic initiatives.

The Associate Counsel will have meaningful responsibility and substantial access to senior decision-makers. The attorney will learn not only how agreements are drafted, but also how business opportunities are evaluated, how negotiations develop, how risks are assessed, and how transactions are moved from concept to completion.

The position is particularly well suited for a lawyer who is intellectually curious, commercially minded, eager to learn, and comfortable assuming increasing responsibility as experience and judgment develop.

The position is based in Greensboro and is expected to be primarily in the office.

Compensation

Competitive base salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, anticipated to be in the range of $90,000 to $110,000 , together with an annual performance bonus and benefits.

Compensation may be adjusted for a candidate with particularly strong transactional experience, academic credentials, clerkship experience, or demonstrated business aptitude.

Interested candidates should submit a résumé and a brief statement describing their interest.