Business and Real Estate Attorney

CunninghamLegal•Auburn, CA

13d

About The Position

CunninghamLegal, a growing California law firm serving clients in business, real estate, tax, estate planning, and trusts, is seeking an ambitious, detail-oriented business and real estate attorney. The attorney will work primarily behind the scenes in support of the head of the Business & Real Estate Department, conducting legal research and analysis, drafting and reviewing transactional documents, supporting transactions, managing matters, and collaborating with attorneys and support teams. The role requires professional, direct communication with prospective and existing clients by phone, video, and in person. As the attorney develops, the position offers opportunities to take on greater responsibility, independently conduct client appointments and consultations, and potentially grow into a future in-person lead attorney role for the department. The ideal candidate is motivated to develop the substantive knowledge, judgment, and client-service skills needed for independent, client-facing work.

Requirements

Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
Two to five years of experience as a business, corporate, and/or real estate transactional attorney.
Substantial experience conducting legal research and analysis, drafting contracts and transaction documents, supporting negotiations and closings, and communicating professionally with clients.
Working knowledge of federal and California tax considerations affecting entity formation, corporate transactions, real estate ownership and transfers, asset-protection planning, California Proposition 19, and Section 1031 exchanges.
Excellent written and oral communication, client-service, meeting etiquette, and interpersonal skills, including confidence and professionalism when speaking directly with clients.
Strong legal research, analytical, problem-solving, drafting, organizational, proofreading, and time-management skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple matters, work effectively under supervision, take ownership of assignments, and meet strict deadlines with professionalism and attention to detail.
Proficiency with office technology and case/task-management systems, and ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys and legal support staff.
Motivation to build substantive knowledge, judgment, and client-service skills toward independent client-facing work.

Nice To Haves

Estate planning knowledge and/or business litigation experience.
Ambition, receptiveness to supervision and feedback, and motivation to progress toward independently conducting client appointments and consultations and potentially serving as a future in-person lead attorney.

Responsibilities

Research business formations, entity selection, and organizational structures, including corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships, and support client advice on these matters.
Research corporate governance, fiduciary duties, ownership arrangements, succession planning, and ongoing entity compliance, and prepare recommendations for review.
Support the structuring and documentation of corporate transactions, reorganizations, equity and ownership changes, mergers and acquisitions, and business purchases and sales.
Research and help develop practical asset-protection strategies aligned with business ownership, real estate holdings, liability considerations, and client objectives.
Analyze federal and state tax benefits and planning related to entity selection, business operations, corporate transactions, and asset ownership, coordinating with the department head and clients’ tax advisors.
Draft and review contracts and assist with negotiations, including operating agreements, bylaws, shareholder and partnership agreements, buy-sell agreements, service agreements, indemnity agreements, and equity incentive arrangements.
Research commercial and residential real estate acquisitions, dispositions, ownership structures, financing, leasing, development, and related transactions, and support client advice.
Draft and review real estate purchase and sale agreements, letters of intent, and related transaction documents, and assist with negotiations.
Support and, with increasing experience, manage real estate due diligence and closings, including title, survey, financing, disclosure, and other transaction requirements.
Research California Proposition 19, property-tax reassessment rules, ownership transfers, and available exclusions, and support client counseling with the department head and clients’ tax advisors.
Support the structuring and documentation of Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 exchanges and coordinate with qualified intermediaries, tax advisors, escrow officers, and other transaction professionals.
Manage assigned matters by maintaining accurate and organized client and matter files, tracking next steps, and recording consultations, calls, and correspondence.
Follow engagement and intake procedures and use task-management systems to track matters, monitor correspondence, coordinate deliverables, complete tasks, and meet deadlines.
Communicate promptly and professionally with clients by phone, email, video, and in person; discuss matter status, gather information, and schedule follow-up meetings as needed.
Collaborate with the department head, other attorneys, and staff; help identify and resolve issues; and manage multiple client matters under supervision with increasing independence.
Complete other projects and duties as assigned.