General Counsel and Risk Management

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for all organizational legal and risk management of a real estate investment and management organization. Partner with other departments to participate in all development, acquisitions, legal operations, risk activities, and insurance portfolio management.  She/He will develop and implement strategic initiatives to drive cost savings, limit liability and implement best practices. 

This executive will have the ultimate responsibility to ensure all firm investment initiatives are fully legally compliant. This executive will be expected to bring insight and leadership to improve the overall organization’s risk performance and minimize loss exposure. It is also expected that the successful candidate will understand and continuously stay abreast of regulations related to real estate legal or risk items and ensure the firm remains in full compliance with investment rules, equity raising related and other business unit operational requirements. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Point person on any litigation on behalf of the company.
• Draft and review all contracts of real estate-related agreements/ transactions (management, acquisition, sales, development, etc.)
• Develop and maintain contract management program and corporate records.
• Assist, from a legal perspective, on all due diligence processes.
• Train and advise on any developments or legal procedures initiated by the organization and recommend changes to policies and processes, as appropriate.
• Responsible for all coordination and contact with outside counsel and approval of invoices and litigation handling.
• Designated official to receive summons and complaints and provide notification to insurers and executive staff.
• Responsible for negotiating and approving any changes to insurance or indemnification provisions contained within the Company approved vendor contract, hold harmless or proposal.
• Collaborate with brokers to compare services and ensure delivery of maximum benefits for the organization.
• Supervise the proper policy administration of all insurance for all assets in the multifamily, senior living, and corporate offices (including renewal processes and audits).
• Lead all claims or incidents related occurring in any operational or corporate office.
• Improve loss metrics such as, claim dollars, and frequency/ severity trends.
• Investigate any fraudulent activities and activate the necessary control actions to stop or mitigate such activities.
• Develop and maintains training materials to assist operational managers with employment or risk-related items.
• Develop operational procedures for effectively avoiding or managing claims.

IDEAL CANDIDATE DESCRIPTION: 

• Experience acting as the primary in- house legal director, executive or attorney with clients in real estate or corporate law; minimum of 5 years. Preferred in-house experience.
• Graduate from an accredited law school and be admitted to a state bar.
• Significant knowledge of real estate transactions and insurance management.
• Experience in structuring, drafting, and negotiating joint venture and partnership agreements, purchase and sale agreements and leases, private equity agreements, confidentiality and consulting agreements, and related contracts.
• Provide strategic advice, creative solutions, and solve problems.