Senior Corporate Counsel

Serverfarm

4d•$80,000 - $200,000

About The Position

The Senior Counsel – Data Center Real Estate serves as a strategic legal advisor responsible for structuring, negotiating, and executing complex real estate transactions that underpin data center acquisition, leasing development, financing and operations. This role integrates legal expertise with real estate and commercial acumen to support hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data center initiatives. The position requires deep fluency in real estate law, contract architecture, and transaction structuring, with a particular emphasis on data center infrastructure and long-term asset strategies as well as familiarity with real estate finance.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
8–12+ years of experience in commercial real estate law
Demonstrated experience leading complex real estate negotiations and closings
Advanced knowledge of commercial real estate law and transaction mechanics
Deep understanding of contract structuring and legal design principles
Ability to align legal frameworks with business strategy and financial models
Strong negotiation skills in high-value, multi-party transactions
Understanding of capital structures, investment vehicles, and return metrics
Capability to design scalable, repeatable deal structures
Anticipation of long-term operational and expansion needs
Risk-adjusted decision-making in complex environments

Nice To Haves

Data center, energy, or infrastructure transactions
Large law firm and/or in-house experience

Responsibilities

Lead the legal structuring of end-to-end data center real estate transactions, including: Land acquisitions and dispositions, Ground leases, Build-to-suit developments, Sale-leasebacks and joint ventures.
Translate business objectives into legally enforceable frameworks that align risk allocation, capital deployment, and operational control.
Design transaction structures that account for: Power availability and utility agreements, Zoning, entitlements, and land use constraints, Phased development and expansion rights, Tax and financing considerations.
Draft, review, and negotiate sophisticated real estate agreements, including: Purchase and Sale Agreements (PSAs), Ground leases and long-term land control instruments, Data center leases (triple-net, powered shell, wholesale colocation), Easements, licenses, and access agreements, Development agreements and construction-related contracts.
Architect contract frameworks that clearly define: Risk allocation, Performance obligations and milestones, Remedies and termination rights.
Drive negotiations with counterparties including developers, land owners, utilities, municipalities, and investors.
Oversee comprehensive real estate due diligence, including: Title, survey, and encumbrance analysis, Environmental assessments (Phase I/II), Land use, zoning, and permitting compliance.
Identify and mitigate risks related to: Site control and access, Utility dependency and infrastructure constraints, Regulatory and jurisdictional issues.
Partner with internal stakeholders across: Real estate and site selection, Development and construction, Finance and capital markets, Operations and engineering.
Coordinate external counsel, brokers, and consultants to ensure alignment and efficiency in deal execution.
Manage transaction timelines from initial term sheet through closing and post-closing obligations.