Overview:
The General Counsel will be responsible for overseeing all legal matters of the Owner, including acting as the company's legal representative. Primary role will be for Owner's home building company(ies), including, supervision of company litigation, handling of small litigation matters in-house to the extent practicable, and master planned home community documents and contracts, as well as review and negotiation of contracts for all levels of land development, purchase and sale, and home sales to third parties.
Responsibilities Summary:
General Counsel for the company (the "GC") will provide accurate, relevant, and timely advice to the Owner, and other members of Owner's executive team. GC will promote legal, compliance and risk management best practices throughout the company. GC will communicate with and manage any third-party bodies such as external counsel or auditors. GC will oversee company litigation, handling of small litigation matters in-house to the extent practicable, master planned home community documents and contracts, and negotiate and review contracts related to company matters or any other matters as assigned by Owner.
Primary Duties, including but not limited to:
Overall responsibility for company legal department with direct report to Owner, day-to-day-department managed by Vice President of Legal Department & Special Projects.
Provide support regarding contract interpretation and guidance, including litigation risk assessment and analysis.
Handling of small litigation matters in-house is desired by the GC.
Mechanic Liens, procedures, forms, rules, and nuances in enforcement and oversight strongly desired.
Land Use Entitlement Administrative Hearing, knowledge of administrative procedures act, and CEQA hearing, CEQA challenges, experience strongly desired.
Convey complicated information to the Owner and or President in a concise and professional manner.
Structure, review, draft and negotiate a wide range of contracts and agreements, or oversight over paralegals who draft contracts.
Oversee litigation matters, assist in hiring outside counsel.
When outside counsel is engaged, the GC will be responsible for reviewing, providing feedback and responsible for amounts billed and work performed.
Provide strategic and practical advice, from a real estate structure all the way through litigation and settlement strategy, to Owner in response to specific questions, and when GC deems appropriate to provide advice even if not specifically asked (think, review, and respond " outside of the box "), including all laws and regulations pertaining to all company business.
Hold business partners and vendors with whom contracts are entered, accountable and ensure contractual obligations are met.
Government and regulatory compliance; stay up to date with changes to legislation, particularly in relation to laws, rules and regulations that directly affect the Company, its affiliates, and its related businesses and industries.
Secondary Duties, including but not limited to:
Review, and in some instances, draft, loan and other finance documents.
Provide strategic and practical advice to HR related to the Company's employees.
Oversee political contributions and donor report obligations imposed by local, state, and federal laws for California and Nevada business operations.
Serve as point person for NDAs, LOIs, PSAs.
Experience with California department of real estate sales contracts, CCRs, offering statements, and other home-sale related documents and regulations.
Negotiation, drafting, and overseeing vendor contracts.
Commercial lease knowledge, from lease negotiations, to lease enforcement, to eviction and enforcement of non-payment of rent, and related bankruptcy matters.
Ranch leases, easements, and other related ranch property legal matters.
In connection with HR and company's executive team manage and mitigate legal risks by designing and implementing policies and procedures
Qualifications:
Juris Doctorate degree required from an ABA accredited law school in the United States.
Admission to California state bar required, with current good standing status as "active".
7+ years in complex civil litigation preferred along with corporate and real estate litigation and transactional experience.
Experience in Corporate Real Estate Law preferred.
Driven, fast paced, leader and team player.
Experience negotiating and drafting fast paced and complex land and commercial transactions.
Experience supervising paralegals and other department staff.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Experience working in-house preferred.
Experience in intellectual property desired.
Experience in data privacy and security desired.
Knowledge and use of LEGAL TRACKER billing software preferred.
Ability to use Word, Excel, and Outlook, and ability to perform own drafting (typing) of documents for initial drafts when practical and efficient preferred. No dictating.