Deputy General Counsel

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Position Overview

Lightstone is seeking an experienced real estate attorney to join its legal department and take an active role in the full lifecycle of transactions across the firm's investment platform. Working closely with senior leadership and the acquisitions, asset management, and capital markets teams, this individual will handle a broad range of transactional matters including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, joint ventures, and development deals. The role demands someone who is equally comfortable drafting and negotiating complex agreements as they are advising on deal structure and risk at the table with business leadership.

The ideal candidate brings deep transactional experience, sound commercial judgment, and the confidence to manage multiple high-priority matters simultaneously in a fast-moving environment. Lightstone operates across a wide range of property types and transaction structures, and this person will need to be a capable generalist who can move fluidly between deal types and adapt quickly to the firm's pace. This is a hands-on role with meaningful exposure to firm leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the legal aspects of complex real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, financings, and development deals.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of real estate and corporate agreements, including purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, operating and management agreements, loan documents, commercial contracts, and related transaction documentation.
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders (Acquisitions, Asset Management, Capital Markets) to structure transactions and evaluate legal and business risks.
• Oversee and coordinate external counsel across a variety of subject areas (transactional, securities, litigation, etc.), ensuring efficient execution and cost management across transactions.
• Provide strategic legal input on investment decisions, deal structuring, and capital formation initiatives.
• Support financing transactions, including senior debt, mezzanine, and preferred equity structures.
• Manage and advise on litigation and dispute matters as they arise, in coordination with external counsel.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal governance standards.
• Assist in developing and refining internal legal processes and best practices to support a growing platform.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in commercial real estate law, with a strong focus on transactional work.
• Admitted to the bar in good standing.
• Extensive experience leading complex real estate transactions, including joint ventures and structured financings.
• Strong understanding of real estate investment structures, capital stacks, and partnership agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a business-oriented legal advisor, balancing risk and commercial objectives.
• Experience managing multiple transactions simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong negotiation, drafting, and communication skills.
• Experience working with or within real estate private equity, developers, or investment platforms preferred.
• Confirm that you saw this job posting on GoInhouse.com when applying.

Key Attributes

• Exceptional Business Judgment: Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of commercial reasonableness, with the ability to balance advocacy with the pragmatism needed to close complex transactions.
• Strong Interpersonal Leadership: Functions as someone who can integrate seamlessly with a long-tenured team and lead with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Entrepreneurial and Proactive Mindset: Exhibits a results-oriented approach to deal-making, showing the initiative to drive outcomes and solve problems creatively.
• Collaborative Partnership Approach: Operates as a strategic partner to the General Counsel and internal business leaders, fostering a culture of transparency and mutual respect.
• Decisive Process Management: Takes a lead role on the business side of legal matters, effectively bridging communication gaps between internal stakeholders and outside counsel to keep projects on track.
• Sophisticated Outside Counsel Management: Acts as a business-minded legal lead who can direct and maximize the value of top-tier external law firm resources.
• High Level of Professional Maturity: Functions effectively within a diverse hierarchy, demonstrating the ability to collaborate with or lead colleagues of varying seniority and experience levels.
• Cultural Alignment and Versatility: Thrives in a unique, high-energy corporate environment and maintains the flexibility to adapt to evolving business needs.
• Immediate Operational Impact: Displays the confidence and competence to manage a high volume of sophisticated transactions and provide immediate value to the legal team from day one.