General Counsel

The General Counsel is head of the legal team who reports to the Chief Legal Officer and leads all legal aspects of the Company’s real estate activities and operations, such as acquisitions/dispositions, like-kind exchanges, ownership structuring and tax planning, joint ventures, real estate finance, leasing, and development/construction. This position maintains compliance with relevant contract policies and procedures and provides direct support to the company’s acquisition and development team as well as other business units. The GC will manage and lead the legal team of real estate attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants. No litigation work is required; however, the GC will engage, work with, and manage outside counsel relative to all company litigation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage all aspects of commercial real estate acquisitions and sales, including preparation and negotiation of contracts, all phases of due diligence and closing documentation. The role includes working with outside counsel, counterparties, 1031 exchange accommodators, insurers, and other third-party consultants

Manage real estate financing, including loan document preparation, review, and negotiation, as well as loan closings

Structuring and preparation of documents for ownership structuring and formation of entities, and familiarity with tax related aspects (including 1031 tax exchanges). Will include preparation of joint venture and operating agreements, corporate documents, and like-kind exchange documents

Familiarity with development and construction of commercial real estate, including construction contracts, subcontractor and service agreements, easements, and licenses.

Ensure proper departmental processes and procedures, including tracking of transaction tasks, parties, and key dates, and communicate with team as necessary on issues and tasks as they arise

Familiarity with commercial leases and ground leases and common community formation documents

Communicate regularly with RCS officers to achieve established goals for the legal department and for properties under operation and management; provide legal advice on all legal matters pertaining to RCS

Manage outside counsel and function as a legal consultant for RCS in any litigation arbitrations and/or mediations

Assist with a variety of business-related functions and provide sound legal and business judgment on matters including acquisitions, loans, equity raises, joint ventures and development

Support all other RCS employees on legal matters related to RCS business

QUALIFICATIONS

· Possess a strong understanding of internal and external company dealings to ensure the best business strategy is followed and the best decisions for RCS are made.

· Strong academic credentials with a J.D. Degree

· 12 – 15+ years’ experience in all aspects of commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financing, development, and construction, joint ventures/entity formation and ownership structuring

· Substantial real estate financing experience

· Substantial experience conducting real estate acquisition due diligence, including review and resolution of title and survey matters

· 5 – 8 years’ experience supervising other attorneys and paralegals

· Demonstrated strategic approach to legal problem solving

· Impeccable communication skills - both verbal and written

· Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with outside parties and in-house colleagues

· Excellent organization, time-management, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

· Ability to work independently on multiple projects and be deadline focused

· High attention to detail and the ability to adapt to changing priorities

· Ability to be flexible and adapt to change quickly

· High integrity with the demonstrated ability to learn quickly

· Proficient in MS Word and Excel

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Ability to comply with company rules and regulations

2. Ability to communicate effectively and courteously with internal and external customers through two-way verbal and written communication (speech, hearing, and writing)

3. Very proficient in Word and ability to operate various office equipment including computer, telephone, scanner, copier, calculator

4. Willingness to work long hours

5. Ability to work independently and refer appropriate matters to supervisor when necessary

6. Ability to comprehend written and verbal communication

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit when doing paperwork or answering emails; use hands or fingers to utilize computer. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TO APPLY

Please apply by sending a cover letter, detailing your experience and salary requirements, and resume by clicking Apply to this Job below.