Commercial Counsel

Compensation is targeted at ~ $250,000 – $275,000, determined based on the candidate's credentials, experience, and potential value to the department and firm.

Commercial Counsel

Position Overview:

Our client is an established real estate investment and operating firm with a national portfolio spanning several commercial and residential property categories. The company takes a hands-on approach to ownership, leasing, and property operations, with legal work closely connected to the day-to-day needs of the business.

The Commercial Counsel will support leasing, property operations, tenant matters, construction-related issues, service provider agreements, and acquisition-related NDAs. The attorney will work closely with the Director of Leasing, asset managers, and company principals on matters tied directly to the company's real estate operations.

This is a business-facing role for an attorney who wants meaningful in-house real estate exposure, regular interaction with decision-makers, and a steady mix of legal work tied to an active property portfolio. The position may suit an attorney at different stages of their career, provided they are comfortable working independently, staying close to the details, and handling legal matters in a practical, responsive manner.

Responsibilities will include (but not me limited to):

• Manage leasing matters across a portfolio of retail and office properties in multiple Eastern U.S. markets, including agreements with national, regional, and local tenants.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and resolve legal matters internally, with limited reliance on outside counsel.
• Advise asset managers on property operations, construction matters, tenant disputes, legal risk, and practical issue resolution.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements with brokers, telecommunications firms, and other service providers supporting the company's real estate portfolio.
• Review and negotiate nondisclosure agreements related to prospective acquisitions of real estate and other businesses.
• Maintain strong attention to detail across multiple properties, tenants, agreements, and ongoing legal matters, with the ability to retain key facts, deal points, and business preferences.

Qualifications:

• Admission to the New York State Bar and J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Meaningful experience handling commercial real estate legal matters, particularly leasing and related property operations issues.
• Experience working on leasing matters involving retail, office, or other commercial properties.
• Strong drafting, review, and negotiation skills with leases, lease-related documents, commercial contracts, service provider agreements, and nondisclosure agreements.
• Ability to provide practical, business-focused legal guidance to leasing professionals, asset managers, property teams, senior business leaders, and other internal stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on legal role with direct responsibility for matters that may otherwise be handled by outside counsel.
• Strong judgment, maturity, organization, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple matters across different properties, agreements, internal teams, and outside parties.

Prior in-house experience is helpful but not required. Attorneys coming from law firms, real estate companies, owners, operators, developers, or investment platforms may be a strong fit if they have meaningful commercial real estate experience and are comfortable working directly with business teams.