Vice President, In-House Counsel

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U.S. Realty Advisors (“USRA”) is a New York-based real estate investment manager with more than $7 billion of assets under management and a more than 35-year history of investing in single-tenant net lease real estate. USRA is seeking a business-minded commercial real estate attorney to join its lean team as Vice President, In-House Counsel.

This is a broad in-house counsel role covering commercial real estate transactions, real estate finance, leasing, joint ventures, asset management, private equity fund matters, corporate matters and compliance. The attorney will report directly to USRA’s General Counsel, who is also a Partner of the firm, and will work closely with the firm’s senior leadership, investment, and asset management teams. USRA’s lean organizational structure provides the opportunity for significant responsibility and broad exposure. The successful candidate will be expected to handle day-to-day legal matters independently and assume increasing responsibility for larger and more complex transactions based on experience and demonstrated ability.

Responsibilities

• Acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing: Work on commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions from initial confidentiality agreements and letters of intent through closing, including drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, leases, lease amendments, joint venture agreements, and related transaction documents. Work directly with internal investment professionals, tenants, buyers, sellers, and outside counsel.

• Real estate finance: Participate in property-level financings, refinancings and other debt transactions, including reviewing and negotiating loan agreements, mortgages, guaranties, and related financing documents, and working directly with lenders, investment professionals, and outside counsel.

• Asset management: Advise the asset management team on lease interpretation, tenant requests, amendments, consents, defaults, and other legal matters affecting USRA’s existing portfolio. Evaluate both the legal and business considerations involved and develop practical recommendations and solutions.

• Fund, corporate and compliance matters: Work on private equity fund and other investment management matters, including fund and subscription documentation, confidentiality agreements and other commercial contracts, entity formation and corporate governance, regulatory and compliance matters, and other legal issues arising in the operation of an institutional real estate investment manager.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3–6 years of commercial real estate transactional experience at a law firm, real estate investment manager, private equity firm, developer, REIT or other institutional real estate organization.

• Meaningful experience with commercial real estate transactions and a strong grounding in real property, acquisitions and dispositions, leasing or related transactional matters.

• Strong contract drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.

• Sound legal and business judgment, including the ability to identify issues, evaluate risk and recommend practical solutions.

• High degree of responsiveness, initiative, accountability, and personal ownership.

• Ability to work independently while exercising good judgment regarding when to involve senior members of the team.

• Ability and willingness to handle matters across a broad range of complexity, from confidentiality agreements and day-to-day asset management issues to significant acquisitions, dispositions, leases, financings, and joint ventures.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a practical, collaborative approach to working with internal and external parties.

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to practice law in New York.

Prior experience with single-tenant net lease investments, sale-leasebacks, private equity funds or a particular side of a commercial real estate transaction is not required. USRA is focused on finding an excellent real estate lawyer with strong judgment, business instincts, and the ability to learn quickly.

Location

This is a New York City-based, in-office position.