Real Estate Counsel

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield • Union City, CA

1d

About The Position

We are seeking a practical, business-minded Real Estate Counsel to join our Legal team. This role offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated commercial real estate matters across a dynamic portfolio, with a focus on retail leasing, development, operations, and related transactions. You will collaborate with teams that value sound judgment, creativity, speed, and practical common sense. We are looking for someone who enjoys challenging the status quo, improving processes, and using smart tools—including AI and technology—to work more efficiently and effectively. This is an opportunity to grow your career, help modernize the way legal work gets done, and have some fun along the way.

Requirements

• Member of the California Bar in good standing.
• 4+ years of experience practicing real estate law, including drafting and negotiating retail leases and related commercial real estate documentation.
• Strong academic credentials and excellent legal judgment.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and concisely.
• Practical, solutions-oriented approach with the ability to balance legal risk, business objectives, and operational realities.
• Strong initiative, follow-through, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong analytical and project management skills.
• Collaborative team player with a positive, can-do attitude and strong work ethic.
• Ability to communicate diplomatically and effectively with senior executives, internal clients, outside counsel, tenants, and other external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Big Law firm or boutique real estate firms and in-house experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted legal partner to the leasing, development, operations, and asset management teams on a broad range of commercial real estate matters involving the Company’s shopping center and mixed-use portfolio.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial real estate and business agreements, including letters of intent, leases, subleases, SNDAs, purchase agreements, consulting agreements, vendor contracts, construction contracts, development agreements, architectural and engineering agreements, and related documents.
• Partner with leasing and development teams to structure, negotiate, and close transactions, identifying legal and business issues and helping drive practical resolutions aligned with Company objectives.
• Provide proactive legal advice on landlord/tenant matters, tenant defaults, lease interpretation, operational issues, insurance and indemnity provisions, contract requirements, and dispute avoidance.
• Advise local management and internal business teams on day-to-day legal issues affecting the Company’s properties, including tenant operations, collections, compliance requirements, and miscellaneous real estate matters.
• Support acquisitions, dispositions, development projects, and other strategic real estate initiatives as needed.
• Assist with contractor and subcontractor agreements and other project-related documentation.
• Participate in the development, interpretation, and implementation of Company operating policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance to real estate paralegals and business teams on title, survey, due diligence, and closing matters.
• Help maintain corporate compliance procedures and records, including ensuring appropriate approvals for leases, transactions, and contracts.
• Coordinate with and manage outside counsel where appropriate, balancing efficiency, cost, and business needs.
• Handle other legal matters and special projects, including data privacy matters, as they arise in support of the Legal Department and the Company’s business objectives.

Benefits

• We believe there is no "perfect" candidate and want to encourage applying even if all the requirements listed aren’t met. If you're passionate about URW and looking to learn and grow, then we look forward to reviewing your application!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed