General Counsel

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

Serves as chief legal advisor of the company, directs the legal affairs of the organization and provides legal counsel and guidance on the ordinary and special activities of the organization.

This position reports to the principals and regularly deals with principals and senior management on issues of significant importance to the organization.

Areas of expertise include all aspects of real estate development including acquisition and disposition, finance, condominium law and governance, litigation, construction, and land use matters.

National company requires knowledge and / or experience in multiple jurisdictions and broad familiarity with most major legal disciplines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Real Estate Acquisitions
• coordinate property acquisitions from initial negotiations through closing, including purchase and sale contracts, joint venture and partnership agreements, broker commission agreements, letters of intent, confidentiality agreements, and access agreements;

manage due diligence review of condominium conversion and subdivision requirements, title, survey, zoning, environmental, property conditions, affordable housing, service contracts, leases and state and local law requirements.

• Real Estate Financing
• coordinate financings for senior mortgage loans, mezzanine and equity financings, interim loans, construction loans, inventory loans and revolving credit facilities, including term sheets, loan commitments, mortgages, notes, loan agreements, security documents, legal opinions, pledges and guarantees.
• Condominium Registrations
• coordinate preparation and filing of condominium declarations and related sales and disclosure documents, HOA documents, and HUD exemptions.
• Construction
• direct outside counsel in preparation of construction, engineering and architect contracts; review all development and construction related documents.
• Corporate Affairs
• formation and governance of limited liability companies and partnerships; start-up and management of subsidiary title agency;
• RESPA compliance; oversee aircraft purchases, financing and leases; corporate office purchases and leases; intellectual property filings;
• marketing and sales agreements; general business and employment contracts; assist Human Resources in all employment related policies, procedures, documents and investigations;
• assist project management in legal issues arising from daily operations; compliance with federal, state and local laws; corporate policies and procedures;

manage outside counsel and fees.

• Litigation and Litigation Prevention
• direct outside counsel and develop strategies for all material litigation and claims; develop internal programs to reduce litigation risks and preserve key defensive materials;

coordinate discovery, mediation and settlements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES :

Required to supervise all activities and staff of the Legal Department. Supervises activities of outside lawyers and law firms.

QUALIFICATIONS :

High degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Excellent management skills, organizational skills, follow-up skills, problem solving skills, and presentation (written and oral).

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE :

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from accredited university. This position generally has 8 or more years of experience. Computer skills including : internet, e-mail, (MS Outlook) MS Excel, and MS Word.

CERTIFICATES and LICENSES :

Must be licensed to practice in the State of Florida and a member of the Florida bar association in good standing.

LANGUAGE SKILLS :

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or government regulations.

Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of principals, managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

REASONING ABILITY :

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

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 regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.

The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and color vision.

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. This job is performed in an office environment with a moderate noise level.

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