Attorney

In-House Counsel – Real Estate & Commercial

Location: New York, NY
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: Based on Experience

Position Overview

A diversified organization with wholesale, investment, and real estate operations is seeking an experienced In-House Counsel to oversee and manage a broad range of legal matters across its businesses.

This is a hands-on position for an attorney with a strong background in real estate law, commercial transactions, contracts, litigation, licensing agreements, and partnership agreements. The In-House Counsel will work directly with ownership and senior leadership, handling matters internally when appropriate and managing outside counsel when specialized or additional representation is required.

The ideal candidate is an experienced, practical attorney who is comfortable taking ownership of legal matters from start to finish and providing business-focused legal guidance in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities Real Estate & Investment Matters

• Provide legal support for the organization's real estate acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, financing, and investment activities.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on purchase and sale agreements.
• Handle and negotiate commercial leases, amendments, renewals, and related agreements.
• Support real estate loans, refinancings, and other financing transactions.
• Draft and negotiate partnership, joint venture, operating, and investment-related agreements.
• Review due diligence materials and coordinate legal aspects of real estate transactions.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders throughout transactions from initial negotiations through closing.
• Coordinate with lenders, counterparties, brokers, and outside attorneys as needed.

Wholesale & Commercial Matters

• Serve as a legal resource for the organization's wholesale businesses.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts and business agreements.
• Handle lease and license negotiations for business operations.
• Draft and negotiate licensing agreements, vendor agreements, service agreements, partnership agreements, and other commercial contracts.
• Identify potential legal and contractual risks and provide practical recommendations to management.
• Assist leadership with day-to-day legal questions affecting business operations.

Litigation & Dispute Management

• Manage ongoing and potential litigation involving the organization's businesses.
• Evaluate disputes and recommend appropriate legal strategies.
• Serve as attorney of record directly when appropriate.
• Manage and oversee outside litigation counsel when matters are handled externally.
• Coordinate discovery, documentation, strategy, deadlines, and other litigation requirements.
• Work with leadership to evaluate potential settlements and other dispute-resolution strategies.
• Maintain visibility into litigation status, costs, risks, and upcoming deadlines.

Outside Counsel Management

• Determine when matters can be handled internally and when outside counsel should be engaged.
• Select, coordinate, and manage third-party attorneys and specialized legal advisors.
• Serve as the primary internal contact for outside counsel.
• Monitor outside counsel strategy, responsiveness, progress, and legal expenses.
• Ensure outside attorneys understand the organization's business objectives and priorities.

General Legal & Business Support

• Provide practical legal advice to ownership and senior leadership.
• Identify legal risks while developing solutions that support business objectives.
• Maintain and organize important contracts, agreements, litigation materials, and other legal documentation.
• Assist with negotiations and strategic business matters across the organization.
• Develop and improve internal legal processes as the businesses continue to grow.
• Handle additional corporate, commercial, and general legal matters as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school required.
• Active and in-good-standing admission to the applicable state bar.
• Significant professional experience practicing law, with a strong background in commercial real estate and business transactions.
• Experience with commercial leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, loans, and refinancings.
• Experience drafting and negotiating partnership, licensing, and commercial agreements.
• Litigation experience and ability to effectively oversee active disputes.
• Experience managing and coordinating outside counsel.
• Strong contract drafting, review, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to independently manage legal matters from initial issue through resolution.
• Strong business judgment and ability to provide practical, commercially focused legal advice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple transactions, disputes, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Comfortable working directly with ownership, executives, outside attorneys, and business partners.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive matters.