Business and Real Estate Attorney

POSITION SUMMARY

CunninghamLegal is a growing California law firm serving clients in business, real estate, tax, estate planning, and trusts. We seek an ambitious, detail-oriented business and real estate attorney to work primarily behind the scenes in support of the head of the Business & Real Estate Department. Under the department head’s supervision, the attorney will conduct legal research and analysis, draft and review transactional documents, support transactions, manage matters, and collaborate with the firm’s attorneys and support teams. Strong direct client communication skills are essential, and the attorney must be comfortable speaking with prospective and existing clients professionally by phone, video, and in person. As the attorney develops, the role offers opportunities to assume increasing responsibility, independently conduct client appointments and consultations, and potentially grow into a future in-person lead attorney for the department. The ideal candidate is motivated to build the substantive knowledge, judgment, and client-service skills required for an independent, client-facing role.

RESPONSIBILITIES – BUSINESS & CORPORATE

• Research and analyze business formations, entity selection, and organizational structuring, including corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships, and support the department head in advising clients on these matters.
• Research and analyze corporate governance, fiduciary duties, ownership arrangements, succession planning, and ongoing entity compliance, and prepare recommendations for review with the department head.
• Support the structuring and documentation of corporate transactions, reorganizations, equity and ownership changes, mergers and acquisitions, and business purchases and sales.
• Research and help develop practical asset-protection strategies that align business ownership, real estate holdings, liability considerations, and client objectives.
• Conduct research and analysis concerning federal and state tax benefits and planning related to entity selection, business operations, corporate transactions, and asset ownership, in coordination with the department head and clients’ tax advisors.
• Draft and review contracts for the department head’s review, and assist with negotiations, including operating agreements, bylaws, shareholder and partnership agreements, buy-sell agreements, service agreements, indemnity agreements, and equity incentive arrangements.

RESPONSIBILITIES – REAL ESTATE

• Research and analyze commercial and residential real estate acquisitions, dispositions, ownership structures, financing, leasing, development, and related transactions, and support the department head in advising clients.
• Draft and review real estate purchase and sale agreements, letters of intent, and related transaction documents for the department head’s review, and assist with negotiations.
• Support and, with increasing experience, manage real estate due diligence and closings, including title, survey, financing, disclosure, and other transaction requirements.
• Research and analyze California Proposition 19, property-tax reassessment rules, ownership transfers, and available exclusions, and support client counseling in coordination with the department head and the client’s tax advisors.
• Support the structuring and documentation of Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 exchanges and coordinate with qualified intermediaries, tax advisors, escrow officers, and other transaction professionals under the department head’s supervision.

GENERAL ATTORNEY & CLIENT SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage assigned matters behind the scenes by maintaining accurate, organized client and matter files, tracking next steps, and keeping detailed records of consultations, calls, and correspondence.
• Follow firm engagement and intake procedures; use task-management systems to track matters, monitor correspondence, coordinate deliverables, complete tasks, and meet deadlines under the department head’s supervision.
• Communicate directly, promptly, and professionally with clients by phone, email, video, and in person; be comfortable discussing matter status and gathering information; and schedule follow-up meetings when needed.
• Work collaboratively with the department head, other attorneys, and staff; help identify and resolve issues; and manage multiple client matters under supervision, with increasing independence as skills and judgment develop.
• Complete other projects and duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Excellent written and oral communication, client service, meeting etiquette, and interpersonal skills, including confidence and professionalism when speaking directly with clients.
• Strong legal research, analytical, problem-solving, drafting, organizational, proofreading, and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple matters, work effectively under the department head’s supervision, take ownership of assignments, and meet strict deadlines with professionalism and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with office technology and case/task-management systems; ability to collaborate effectively with the department head, other attorneys, and legal support staff.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
• Two to five years of experience as a business, corporate, and/or real estate transactional attorney, including substantial experience conducting legal research and analysis, drafting contracts and transaction documents, supporting negotiations and closings, and communicating professionally with clients.
• Working knowledge of federal and California tax considerations affecting entity formation, corporate transactions, real estate ownership and transfers, asset-protection planning, California Proposition 19, and Section 1031 exchanges.
• Estate planning knowledge and/or business litigation experience is preferred but not required.
• The ideal candidate is ambitious, receptive to supervision and feedback, and motivated to progress from behind-the-scenes support to independently conducting client appointments and consultations and potentially serving as a future in-person lead attorney.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

CunninghamLegal offers a competitive salary, matching 401(k), health, vision, and dental benefits, bonus opportunity, and an origination bonus.

CunninghamLegal is an Equal Opportunity Employer.