Associate General Counsel, Commercial Real Estate Finance - Secondary Market Specialist

Corebridge Financial • Houston, TX

20d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate General Counsel’s (“AGC”) primary role will be to advise CML with respect to commercial real estate-related financing and investment transactions, including commercial mortgage loan originations, syndications, mezzanine investments, secondary and portfolio acquisitions of commercial mortgage loans, as well as with regard to managing the CML’scommercial loan portfolio, including loan modifications, loan servicing, workouts, foreclosures, and the management, leasing and sale of owned real estate. An ideal AGC will be excited about working within a fast-paced business with an array of challenging assignments. The AGC will have a solid sense of his/her role of counselor to the business team and will be mindful of the rewards and challenges of working inside of a business. The AGC must be agile and resourceful, ready to handle all that is within his/her realm of experience and be curious to expand and grow that knowledge base as opportunities arise.

Requirements

• Candidates must have a J.D. and be admitted to at least one state bar (preferably New York).
• The ideal candidate will have at least six (6) years of major law firm or relevant in-house experience with a demonstrated focus on commercial mortgage lending with an emphasis in secondary market transactions.
• Experience with mortgage-related structured products, loan syndications, and similar investments is required
• The successful candidate will have the ability and desire to work independently on multiple matters, and to prioritize deals and projects intelligently in accordance with CML’s strategic priorities.
• Other qualifications include: top academic credentials, excellent oral and written communication skills (in particular the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and simply and to present clear choices), industry participation (whether through professional organizations, pro bono or otherwise), judgment and high ethical standards.
• This is a client-facing role; accordingly through his or her example, the successful candidate will be expected to take ownership of, and help to promote, the Legal, Compliance, Regulatory & Government Affairs department’s positive collaborative culture.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with workouts and restructurings of mortgage-related investments and products is desired.
• Experience as Borrower side counsel is valuable as well.

Responsibilities

• Structuring commercial real estate finance transactions, with an emphasis on secondary market transactions, including but not limited to syndications, leveraged loans, note purchases and various other structures. The AGC will be mindful of credit, risk, market, regulatory, and other legal issues and risks involved in all structures. The AGC will counsel the CML Team on risk profiles of potential structures, counterparties, markets, regulations and a multitude of other possibilities while offering potential mitigants whenever warranted regarding each transaction.
• Facilitating and monitoring the documentation of the transactions noted above, including supervision and collaboration with any outside counsel engaged on the matter.
• Advising the CML Asset Management and Loan Servicing Team with respect to managing CML’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio, including workouts, foreclosures, amendments and modifications, consent requests, waivers, potential litigation, and loan servicing arrangements, all while being mindful of ongoing business relationships with borrowers, brokers and servicers as well as considerations relating to credit, risk, market factors, regulations, securitization limitations and other legal issues.
• Being a creative thinker, especially with respect to problem solving on difficult matters, from negotiation of loan originations to working with business partners to solve through workouts and restructurings.
• Pitching in as a team player, even on administrative matters.
• Managing the choice of and relationships with outside counsel in order to maintain efficient and timely workflow, quality work product and cost control.
• Training members of the larger business and Legal, Compliance, Regulatory & Government Affairs department on issues of interest, such real estate fundamentals, regulatory developments, market changes, best practices in lending, construction lending, alternative loan structures, etc.
• Building new infrastructure as part of a larger strategy to provide seamless execution and reporting on all that our business accomplishes.
• Counseling and advising the CML Team with respect to important state, federal and global regulatory matters.
• Innovating through cultivation of process improvements, bettering form documents and finding enhancements to workflow management.
• Fostering positive working relationships through intentional outreach and discussion.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness: We offer a range of medical, dental and vision insurance plans, as well as mental health support and wellness initiatives to promote overall well-being.
• Retirement Savings: We offer retirement benefits options, which vary by location. In the U.S., our competitive 401(k) Plan offers a generous dollar-for-dollar Company matching contribution of up to 6% of eligible pay and a Company contribution equal to 3% of eligible pay (subject to annual IRS limits and Plan terms). These Company contributions vest immediately.
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling services and resources are available to all employees.
• Matching charitable donations: Corebridge matches donations to tax-exempt organizations 1:1, up to $5,000.
• Volunteer Time Off: Employees may use up to 16 volunteer hours annually to support activities that enhance and serve communities where employees live and work.
• Paid Time Off: Eligible employees start off with at least 24 Paid Time Off (PTO) days so they can take time off for themselves and their families when they need it.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree