Sr Legal Counsel Real Estate and Construction

Come work at a place where we take pride in creating a workplace environment that values hard work, commitment, and growth.

Education:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admission to at least one State Bar

Work Experiences:

• At least 5 years of law firm or in-house legal department experience with commercial real estate transactions, including retail leases, sale lease backs, reverse build to suits, purchase & sale agreements, development, entitlements, zoning, financing, and construction contracting
• Experience with a big box retail company with at least $1 billion in revenue in a corporate environment preferred working knowledge of distribution center real estate development, including economic development incentives and other ancillary agreements
• Prior experience with legal issues related to dispositions, takeover, or sub-leasing of unoccupied retail locations
• Familiarity with leasing and operational real estate legal issues related to shopping center and mixed-use properties
• Experience with commercial real estate acquisition and development, from letter of intent through closing
• Experience with project openings, property management, retail operations, providing advice, legal analysis, and transaction leadership and support
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial real estate lease agreements, especially big box retail, anchor tenant agreements and associated restrictive covenant and easement agreements (REA, ECR or OEA)
• Knowledge of real estate and related laws including the ability to provide sound and practical legal advice
• Prior managerial experience preferred
• Integral part of real estate and construction transaction processes where business judgment is as important as legal guidance

Skills:

• Strong legal and contract drafting skills
• High level of professionalism, good judgment, and initiative
• Ability to analyze complex matters and propose creative and practical solutions, even in ambiguous situations
• Ability to remain organized, pay attention to detail, and meet critical deadlines
• Ability to work well under pressure while consistently meeting deadlines
• Ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities
• Excellent client service skills
• Ability to work well independently and efficiently, and to effectively contribute to a team environment
• Strong problem-solving abilities and commercial negotiation skills, including creative conflict resolution
• Ability to manage a team and outside counsel as required
• Supervisory, coaching, and training skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to interface effectively with individuals at various levels
• Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties

Responsibilities:

• Structure, draft, negotiate and review property management and leasing agreements, and other customary retail real estate documents and contracts
• Address issues regarding real estate leases, development, entitlements, design, construction, and financing
• Advise the Real Estate Team and actively participate in the resolution of real estate related legal issues and disputes
• Provide legal support on compliance issues and general commercial contract matters
• Conduct documentation research of rights, obligations and restrictions contained in existing leases, reciprocal easement agreements and other complex property agreements, and provide both technical and practical analysis and recommendations to internal clients concerning legal issues, including preparation of documentation necessary to secure third party approvals
• Identify and resolve problems promptly, gather and analyze information skillfully, and maintain confidentiality
• Develop effective partnerships with other corporate departments, distribution centers, stores, and their vendors
• Represent the company in negotiations and other forums
• Represent multiple Academy departments and locations on enterprise-level issues both internally and externally
• Develop a thorough understanding of the Academy's policies, procedures, and safety rules
• Implement standardized policies, processes, and procedures for governance, agreements, privacy/ security, and commercial relationships generally
• Manage legal staff and outside counsel as required
• Operate within the financial budget for assigned practice area(s)
• Identify and assist in implementing process improvements
• Duties may change; team members may be required to perform other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements & Attendance

• Regular in-office attendance required
• Up to 5% travel, as needed
• Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties
• Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures, and rules governing professional staff behavior

Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate with regard to employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.