Associate General Counsel jobs in Rio Rancho, NM

Overview Goodman Realty is seeking an experienced attorney to join a dynamic team environment within a commercial real estate investment company, primarily in connection with management of its existing portfolio and the expansion of a development pipeline. The General Counsel will handle a range of day-to-day corporate matters and provide legal advice and guidance to the company's leadership on a variety of real estate matters, including property acquisitions and dispositions, leases, development/zoning and land use, financing, and employment/HR matters. We anticipate that the right candidate will, in due course, join the leadership team in support of the company's strategy and growth objectives.

Requisite experience includes high-level knowledge and familiarity with a range of industry specific matters, including the preparation and negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, loan documents, commercial leases, site development agreements, reciprocal easement agreements, SNDA's, letters of intent, and all other ancillary documents related to the industry. Retail, Finance, or direct commercial real estate industry experience is a plus. A background in public-private partnerships would also be a differentiating factor.

The General Counsel will play a pivotal role in optimizing operational efficiencies and lead our in-house legal process. With a minimum of of experience in a similar capacity, the ideal candidate will bring a profound understanding and expertise in managing general corporate functions. Furthermore, the candidate will have exceptional negotiating skills across a spectrum of real estate domains including institutional capital, national retail tenants, construction (AIA), development, design, financing, and shopping center or landlord real estate agreements.

Key Responsibilities/Duties

• Leadership: Guide and manage our in-house legal affairs, fostering an environment of high performance, continuous improvement, and alignment with our company values.
• Leasing Support: Offer comprehensive legal support for our leasing activities. Prepare cohesive lease templates and lead the documentation cycle from the letter of intent phase through amendment and renewal, lease administration (consents, estoppels, SNDAs), and management of tenant litigation.
• Acquisition and Disposition: Support our portfolio, whose composition is changing through dispositions, organic growth (i.e., development projects), and acquisitions. Oversee and manage the legal aspects of such transactions, leading or ensuring thorough due diligence and impeccable transactional document handling.
• Negotiation and Drafting: Demonstrate superior negotiation and drafting skills, crafting agreements that protect and advance the Company's interests.
• Manage the company's in-house paralegal and oversee the preparation of all legal documentation and communication.
• Stay up to date on local, state, and federal law and regulatory matters as they pertain to the company's present business and growth initiatives (REIT, fund formation, etc.).
• Build and manage relationships with outside counsel. Review and manage outside counsel fee structures to pre-determined budgets.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school with an excellent academic background.
• 7-10 years of law firm or in-house legal experience specific to Commercial Real Estate, with a strong preference for a background in retail shopping centers, Development/Construction, and AIA contracts.
• Admitted to the New Mexico Bar with membership in good standing.
• Exceptional negotiation, drafting, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills, coupled with a strong customer service orientation and a commitment to integrity and quality.