Associate General Counsel - Real Estate & Construction Attorney

University of Pennsylvania•Philadelphia, PA

3d•$152,625 - $263,917•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine seeks a full-time Real Estate & Construction attorney to advise and provide legal support for the University, Penn Medicine, and its real estate subsidiaries regarding a broad range of real estate and construction matters, including real estate development, purchases and sales, leases and other matters. The attorney will be expected to advise and assist the University’s Senior Vice President for Facilities and Real Estate Services and her staff in developing and negotiating legal documents for construction and real estate transactions and attending to the business/legal details of such transactions including strategies to mitigate legal and financial risks.

Requirements

Graduation from a recognized college or university
Graduation from an ABA accredited law school with a J.D. degree
Must be admitted and in good standing in Pennsylvania
Minimum 5 years’ professional experience as a practicing real estate attorney
Sophisticated understanding of both the legal and business aspects of real estate development and real estate transactions
Precise analytical and reasoning skills
Impeccable verbal and written communication skills
Ability to identify, frame, and resolve complicated and sensitive problems creatively and with professional discretion
Ability to interact and function effectively both individually and as a team member in both an academic and a business environment
Demonstrated excellence in legal research, analysis and reasoning and drafting, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical advice
Impeccable oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present and advise various audiences in all areas and at all levels including senior leadership, and to tailor communications appropriately
Ability to identify, frame, and resolve complex and sensitive legal and operational issues, using sound judgement, creativity and discretion
Ability to interact and function effectively in both a higher education environment, as well as in an academic medical center setting
Strong legal writing, negotiation, and advisory skills, with a practical, solutions-oriented approach
Ability to manage sensitive matters with sound judgment and discretion
Experience working directly with executive leadership
Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with high emotional intelligence and the ability to build credibility quickly across many different stakeholders
Demonstrated capacity to manage a high volume of complex work in a fast-paced environment, including the ability to prioritize, balance competing demands and concurrent matters, and respond in a timely and service-oriented manner for timely resolution of issues
Ability to work effectively in a decentralized, matrixed organization, navigating institutional structures and bringing the right stakeholders into discussions as appropriate
Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team while also leading initiatives and influencing outcomes without direct authority

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with environmental law, especially laws and regulations relating to the management and abatement of environmental conditions affecting real estate
Familiarity with real estate related aspects of the bankruptcy code

Responsibilities

Prepare and negotiate commercial leases including retail, office and laboratory leases as well as residential leases, easements and other real estate documents.
Provide advice to the University's real estate team in dealing with day-to-day landlord/tenant issues, property management concerns, and the interpretation of leases and other contractual documents.
Manage related litigation.
Draft and negotiate licenses and other similar agreements regarding the use of facilities in connection with sporting events, theatrical productions, food and merchandise vending, musical performances and other activities.
Draft, negotiate, and administer construction-related agreements, including: general contractor agreements, design-build contracts, owner-contractor agreements, architect and engineering agreements, subcontract agreements, consultant agreements.
Advise project teams on contract compliance and risk management.
Analyze and negotiate change orders, claims, delay disputes, and project modifications.
Counsel stakeholders and manage litigation regarding construction defects, warranty issues, and performance disputes.
Review insurance requirements, bonds, indemnification provisions, and risk transfer mechanisms.
Guide project teams through project closeout and warranty administration processes.
Structure, negotiate, draft, and review purchase and sale agreements, ground leases, joint venture and partnership agreements for commercial, industrial, multifamily, mixed-use, retail, and residential properties.
Conduct legal due diligence associated with acquisitions and development projects.
Review and analyze title commitments, title policies, surveys, easements, encroachments, and restrictive covenants.
Advise on property ownership structures, joint ventures, and investment arrangements.
Prepare and negotiate financing documents, loan agreements, mortgage instruments, and security agreements.
Coordinate real estate closings and post-closing obligations.
Support portfolio management initiatives and strategic real estate investments.
Advise clients regarding zoning and building code issues and prepare, file and prosecute zoning and building code appeals.
Advise clients regarding planning, permitting, environmental requirements, and land-use regulations.
Represent clients before zoning boards, planning commissions, municipal authorities, and governmental agencies.
Coordinate entitlements and approvals for development projects.
Assess legal risks associated with development opportunities and site selection.
Monitor regulatory changes that may impact development projects.
Provide advice regarding utility and energy matters.
Draft and negotiate utility agreements, renewable energy projects, power purchase agreements and other energy purchasing arrangements and related easements and documents.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local real estate and construction laws.
Monitor legal developments affecting real estate ownership, development, financing, environmental matters, and construction activities.
Provide legal guidance regarding building codes, licensing requirements, environmental regulations, fair housing laws, ADA requirements.
Advise clients as to real estate tax and transfer tax consequences of proposed transactional structures; file and prosecute, as appropriate, tax assessment and tax exemption applications and appeals.
Develop and implement contract compliance programs and best practices.
Draft, negotiate and structure agreements with real estate brokers and other consultants involved in real estate management and transactions.
Manage and oversee the work of outside attorneys dealing with real estate and related issues.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Excellent healthcare
Tuition benefits for employees and their families
Generous retirement benefits
Wide variety of professional development opportunities
Supportive work and family benefits
Wealth of health and wellness programs and resources
Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
Flexible spending accounts
Tuition assistance for employee, spouse, and dependent children at Penn and other institutions
Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental)
Substantial amount of time away from work
Long-Term Care Insurance
Wellness and Work-life Resources
Professional and Personal Development resources
Access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities
Discounts and Special Services (arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, new cars, cellular phone service, movie tickets, theme parks)
Flexible Work Hours
Penn Home Ownership Services (forgivable loan for eligible employees)
Adoption Assistance