Description:

Job Summary:
The In-House Counsel will be responsible for providing legal support to the company, including but not limited to drafting and negotiating commercial leases and other agreements and contracts, working with outside counsel to handle collections and litigation matters, and working with various departments to provide general legal review and advice.

Job Duties:
Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Draft and negotiate commercial leases, amendments, property management agreements, license agreements, construction contracts, purchase and sale agreements, and various other agreements and contracts.
  • Offer counsel on a variety of legal and business issues.
  • Advise executives and work alongside employees in connection with leasing, property acquisition and disposition, financing transactions, and property management.
  • Assist General Counsel in providing legal services, counsel and advise to the company.
  • Manage multiple legal projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met and legal and business needs are satisfied.
  • Advise executives on contract and transaction terms and status, legal risks, and business terms of various deals.
  • Provide assistance with due diligence matters in connection with property acquisitions.
  • Provide assistance with leases, loan transactions, property acquisition and disposition, and strategic planning.
  • Research legal issues impacting the organization including statutes, judicial decisions, and codes.
  • Keep abreast of legislative changes that may affect the company and its affiliates.
  • Perform pre-litigation work to minimize risks and maximize legal rights.
  • Assist in the management of the organization's litigation. Work with the appropriate business units to resolve claims, contract disputes and litigation, providing legal advice as necessary.
  • Responsible for handling various collections matters, including engaging and managing outside counsel when necessary.
  • Develop, maintain and update legal contract forms and procedures in accordance with applicable laws and industry standards.
  • Provide training to company and its affiliates on substantive legal topics.
  • Perform legal research as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Assist General Counsel with management and/or training of paralegals and legal assistants.

Job Requirements:
  • J.D. Degree from an accredited law school.
  • 5+ years of real estate law related experience.
  • Substantial experience drafting and negotiating sophisticated commercial leases.
  • Member in good standing with the Michigan Bar Association.
  • Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills; ability to correspond in a professional, businesslike manner and speak effectively before groups of customers and colleagues.
  • Excellent time management, organization, and prioritization skills.
  • Proficient in use of Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel and Word)
  • Perform all job duties with a positive attitude.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:
Employee will be regularly required to sit, use hands to handle or feel, and talk or hear. Employee will be frequently required to reach with hands or arms. Employee is occasionally required to sit or stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, as well as use multiple flights of stairs. Employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Normal working office conditions. Noise level in this work environment is usually quiet to moderate.