Legal Counsel - Real Estate Investment and Development
il y a 13 heures
London
Working Environment We work on open plan trading floor style office with around thirty-five colleagues, which brings interaction and excitement. Our self-designed head office is on Dorset Street in Marylebone, easy to reach and close to all the amenities. Legal Team Working on transactions collaboratively with the existing two Senior Legal Counsel and sharing the workstreams, guided by the Executive Director (also a qualified solicitor) and Investment Director, you will join a Legal Team that provides support and advice to the Group’s investment and development activities in real estate focusing on development. The team works hand in hand with the group’s other functions, dealing with transactions, contracts, property, construction, litigation, insurance, and compliance. Working Relationships Internal: all colleagues within the Group, close working relationship with existing Senior Legal Counsel, Executive Director, Development Director, Commercial Director and Investment Director. External: key relationship holder with external legal counsel and opposite numbers at contractors, funders and partners. The Position 1. Pre-Design (Stage 0): • Reviewing initial project proposals and assessing legal feasibility., • Drafting and negotiating non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with potential partners and consultants., • Example Documentation: Non-Disclosure Agreement. 2. Concept and Acquisition (Stage 1): • Advising on legal implications of design concepts, regulations, and planning regulations., • Reviewing and approving legal documentation related to site acquisition and title searches., • Conduct due diligence on potential property acquisitions to assess legal risks and issues., • Instruct external counsel to craft and negotiate purchase agreements, option agreements, and other relevant contracts., • Example Documentation: Sale and Purchase Agreement, Report on Title, Due Diligence Checklist. 3. Developed Design (Stage 2): • Drafting and reviewing agreements related to design consultants and contractors, including scope of work, indemnities, and intellectual property rights., • Example Documentation: Professional Appointment. 4. Technical Design (Stage 3): • Providing legal oversight for external counsel drafting construction contracts, warranties, and performance bonds., • Advising on insurance coverage and liability issues during the construction phase., • Example Documentation: Build Contract, Performance Bond, Insurance Policies. 5. Funding: • Assist in structuring financing arrangements, including loans, equity investments, and joint ventures., • Instruct external counsel to draft loan agreements, security documents, and investment contracts., • Ensure compliance with financing covenants and requirements., • Example Documentation: Loan Agreement, Equity Investment Agreement, Security Agreement. 6. Construction (Stage 4): • Resolving legal disputes, claims, and change orders arising during construction., • Ensuring compliance with contractual obligations. 7. Handover and Closeout (Stage 5): • Reviewing handover documentation and warranties provided by contractors and suppliers., • Facilitating the transfer of property ownership and legal responsibilities to end-users or buyers., • Example Documentation: Collateral Warranty, Guarantee Documents, Property Transfer Agreement. 8. In-Use (Stage 6): • Advising on post-construction legal matters, such as property management agreements and occupational agreement negotiations., • Assisting with ongoing compliance, maintenance, and regulatory issues., • Example Documentation: Property Management Agreement, Lease, Equipment Hire Agreement, Operational Contract. 9. Disposals: • Manage legal aspects of property sales, including negotiation of and instructing external counsel to draft of sale agreements., • Oversee the due diligence process for potential buyers., • Ensure proper title transfer and resolution of any outstanding legal issues., • Example Documentation: Sale Agreement, Due Diligence Checklist, Title Transfer Documents. Experience and Skills • Ability to work on transactions collaboratively with the existing Senior Legal Counsel., • Works well to tight deadlines and managing own workload., • Is confident, professional and shows excellent communication skills both written and verbal., • Has a keen eye for detail., • Strives for high standards in their work., • Previous in-house experience and/or exposure to multiple real estate asset classes would be an advantage., • The ability to work with initiative and prioritise with a self-starting mentality is vital as you will need to be able to work independently and manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment., • Motivated to become a trusted adviser to the Group and its shareholders, being proactive in the provision of legal support whilst pursuing this., • Skilled at turning complicated legal advice into information that is easy to digest across multiple team disciplines., • Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to manage upstream and downstream, and work discreetly when required to.