Description:

Overview:
The Michaels Organization is a national leader in residential real estate offering full-service capabilities in development, property management, construction, and investment. At Michaels, our teammates strive to fulfill our promise of creating communities that lift lives – ones that jumpstart housing, education, civic engagement, and neighborhood prosperity. With this passion at the forefront of our business, Michaels teammates can be proud to be a part of the extraordinary, every day.

The Michaels Organization ("Michaels") seeks a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and experienced In-House Counsel to join our legal team at a premier, national residential real estate development and management company. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this role will play a critical part in overseeing daily transactional matters (including land acquisition/disposition, joint ventures, leasing and financing transactions), corporate governance, commercial contracting, vendor and service agreements, employment law compliance and litigation management across our portfolio to support our regional operations.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in real estate law and corporate governance, commercial contract drafting, risk mitigation, and litigation/dispute resolution. You will work closely with General Counsel, the executive leadership team, property management teams, and external partners to protect company assets and ensure regulatory compliance.

Michaels currently operates in 35 states across the country.

Responsibilities:

Expertise in drafting and negotiating a broad spectrum of complex contracts and agreements for large-scale real estate development projects in multi-family residential, mixed use and other asset classes.
Experience in structuring, drafting and negotiating joint venture and partnership agreements, purchase and sale agreements and leases, mezzanine loan and preferred equity agreements, real estate mortgage financing, letters of intent, confidentiality and consulting agreements, and related contracts.
Review and interpret contracts related to the operation and management of the Company s various development projects, and provide legal advice including administration of contracts in accordance with Company policies and legal requirements.
Provide legal counsel to management on matters such as business strategic planning, litigation management and resolution, service contracts with vendors, licenses, and protecting intellectual property.
Provide legal services related to the dissolution and wind-up of discontinued businesses, joint ventures or completed projects.
Review and interpret the requirements of governmental agencies, laws, statutes, rules, regulations and court decisions; advise on new legislative and regulatory requirements and recommend changes to policies and processes, as appropriate.
Identify, monitor and assist in managing risks to Michaels, including maintaining close contact with industry organizations to become aware of and understand inherent emerging risks that could affect Michaels' operations.
Assist in identifying and managing outside counsel to represent Michaels in transactional and litigation matters across the portfolio.
Work with a staff of paralegals tasked with coordinating closing checklists and driving projects to closing.
Counsel management and HR on federal, state, and local employment laws, including wage and hour regulations, anti-discrimination statutes, leave policies, and employee accommodations.
Draft and update employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, employee handbooks, and restrictive covenant agreements (non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality).
Assist in managing internal employee relations matters, performance management issues, and pre-litigation employment claims or administrative charges (e.g., EEOC, state labor boards).

Qualifications:
Required Experience:
Minimum of 5-10 years relevant legal experience, with a strong background gained either at a national or regional law firm (real estate or corporate/litigation departments) or as in-house counsel within the real estate, property management, or construction industries.

Required Education/Training:

Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
Bar Admission: Active member in good standing of the state bar.

Required Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrated ability to assist with large scale real estate transactions and closings.
Strong planning, organizational and management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
Strong business acumen and the ability to make practical evaluations of risk.
Strong negotiation and people/social skills.
Excellent client relations, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills.
Ability to perform with an elevated level of discretion, professionalism, and integrity.