Description:
Position Overview:We are seeking a strategic and hands-on General Counsel to serve as An Investment Service in Los Angeles, California Chief Legal Officer. This senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters across our lending and investment operations. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in real estate secured lending, fund management, securities compliance, and corporate governance—along with a pragmatic, business-minded approach and the ability to roll up their sleeves and execute work directly when needed.
This position reports to the COO.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Legal Strategy & Risk Management
- Serve as the primary legal advisor to executive leadership.
- Proactively identify legal, enterprise, and regulatory risks, and implement strategies to mitigate exposure.
- Oversee litigation, disputes, and all legal matters impacting the firm's operations.
- Provide legal support for originations, structuring, negotiations, and closing of residential and commercial real estate secured loans (bridge, construction, homebuilder).
- Draft, review, and negotiate loan documents, guarantees, intercreditor agreements, subordination agreements, and related documentation.
- Guide origination, closing and servicing teams on due diligence, title, escrow, foreclosure, workouts, and asset recovery.
- Manage external counsel relationships (including a network of local state counsel) related to loan transactions, and enforcement matters.
- Provide internal training on real estate transactions and documentation.
- Oversee legal and compliance matters related to fund formation, structuring, governance, and compliance with SEC and state-level securities laws.
- Partner with compliance consultants and auditors to maintain robust compliance program related to Registered Investment Advisor activities.
- Draft and review private placement memoranda, subscription agreements, investor communications, and marketing materials.
- Support investor relations on disclosure practices and regulatory filings.
- Oversight of governance issues for An Investment Service in Los Angeles, California and its six affiliated investment and lending entities, including advice on corporate structure, entity formation, and LLC, LP and corporate governance documents.
- Review and manage vendor, lending partner (such as brokers), and third-party contracts.
- Develop and maintain policies and procedures to support compliance across lending, investment, and privacy.
- Monitor and respond to changes in regulatory requirements impacting the business.
- Conduct legal due diligence and risk analysis for strategic initiatives and transactions.
- Serve as a collaborative partner to cross-functional teams, including credit, operations, investor relations, and fund administration.
- Manage relationships with outside counsel for specialized legal matters and employment law, while maintaining a hands-on role in day-to-day legal work.
- Ensure compliance with federal and state lending laws.
Education and Experience:
- JD from an accredited law school; member in good standing with a U.S. state bar (California Bar or ability to register as In-House Counsel preferred).
- 10+ years transactional legal experience with significant focus on real estate finance, private lending, and investment fund management. Litigation experience is a plus.
- Deep knowledge of lending regulations, fund formation, securities law, and RIA compliance. Experience with loan securitizations is a plus.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage legal risk while enabling business growth.
- Strong leadership presence, sound judgment, and a business-pragmatic mindset.
- Enjoys operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and executing legal work directly.
