General Counsel

Royal Farms•Baltimore, MD

15d•$200,000 - $250,000•Onsite

About The Position

The General Counsel is responsible for providing overall legal leadership and strategic guidance to the organization, with a primary focus on real estate law and compliance. This role oversees all legal matters related to real estate transactions, corporate governance, and business operations. The General Counsel ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, mitigates organizational risk, and supports company growth through effective legal strategy and counsel.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with a state bar association.
Minimum 8-10 years of legal experience, including at least 5 years in real estate law
Demonstrated expertise in real estate transactions, development, leasing, and regulatory compliance.
Proven leadership and ability to provide practical legal advice to executive and operational stakeholders.
Strong negotiations, analytical, and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in commercial or residential real estate, REITs, or development law.
Familiarity with corporate, securities, or employment law.
Prior in-house experience with a real estate-focused company or firm.

Responsibilities

Provide legal counsel for real estate transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development and financing.
Draft, review, and negotiate contracts such as purchase agreements, leases, easements, and property management agreements.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local real estate laws, zoning requirements, environmental standards, and land-use regulations.
Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across real estate portfolios and business operations.
Advise executive leadership and the Board on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and policy development.
Draft and maintain bylaws, resolutions, and other governance documents.
Oversee drafting, negotiation, and execution of all real estate and general business contracts.
Ensure all contracts align with organizational objectives and legal requirements.
Manage all litigation and disputes involving real estate, including title issues, construction defects, and landlord-tenant matters.
Coordinate and supervise external counsel to achieve favorable outcomes and cost control.
Conduct legal due diligence for aquisitions, mergers, and strategic partnerships.
Evaluate and communicate potential legal risks and compliance gaps.
Partner with internal departments (Finance, Operations, Development, Construction) and external entities (brokers, lenders, and agencies) to support business objectives.
Monitor and interpret new real estate laws and regulatory changes; advise leadership on business impacts and compliance strategies.
Represent the organization with government bodies and industry associations as needed.
Lead, mentor, and develop in-house legal staff, fostering a culture of integrity, collaboration, and excellence.
Manage external counsel relationsjips and oversee legal budgets effectively.
Uphold the mission, core values, and brand standards of the company by ensuring all Human Resource practices reflect integrity, accountability, and operational excellence.
Performs other projects/duties as assigned.