This General Counsel role serves as a trusted strategic advisor to ownership and executive leadership, providing legal leadership across all aspects of the Company's commercial real estate business. This includes acquisitions, dispositions, financing, development, construction, leasing, asset management, operations, corporate governance, litigation, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management. The General Counsel manages outside counsel, establishes legal policies and procedures, oversees complex transactions, and partners with leadership to enable sound business decisions.
Responsibilities
Serve as principal legal advisor to ownership and executive leadership
Provide practical, business-focused guidance that supports informed decision-making
Develop legal strategies that balance business objectives with risk management
Promote a culture of ethics, integrity, compliance, and sound corporate governance
Lead all legal aspects of commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, developments, and redevelopments
Structure, draft, negotiate, and close purchase and sale agreements, letters of intent, development agreements, and related documents
Review and provide legal analysis regarding title commitments, surveys, easements, restrictive covenants, access issues, and closing documentation
Complete transaction closings with lenders, title companies, surveyors, brokers, consultants, and outside counsel
Lead legal negotiations for construction loans, permanent financing, refinancing, credit facilities, and other debt transactions
Negotiate commitment letters, term sheets, loan documents, guaranties, security agreements, and related financing documents
Support and complete 1031 exchanges, tax credit financing, governmental incentives, economic development programs, and other tax-efficient transaction structures
Provide legal support throughout the development lifecycle from land acquisition through project completion
Direct development agreements, construction contracts, architect and engineering agreements, consultant agreements, and professional service contracts
Advise on land use, zoning, entitlement, permitting, utility agreements, infrastructure, environmental compliance, and governmental approvals
Manage legal issues relating to mechanics' liens, construction disputes, orders, payment disputes, warranties, and contractor claims
Review and negotiate easements, rights-of-way, access agreements, and utility agreements
Direct, draft, negotiate, and administer commercial lease agreements, amendments, renewals, expansions, assignments, estoppels, SNDA agreements, and related leasing documents
Advise leasing, property management, and asset management teams on tenant matters, lease interpretation, enforcement, defaults, and landlord-tenant disputes
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
200,000+
New jobs added daily
7,000,000+
Verified job listings
1,000,000+
Tailored applications submitted
Develop policies, procedures, templates, and contract standards to reduce legal and operational risk
Monitor legal and regulatory developments, industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving best practices affecting commercial real estate and corporate legal operations
Improve legal workflows through technology, document automation, contract lifecycle management, and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence while maintaining confidentiality, security, and regulatory compliance
Drive overall legal costs down while improving efficiency and consistency
Structure, negotiate, and document joint ventures, operating agreements, partnership agreements, and strategic alliances
Assist with partnership governance, capital contributions, distributions, transfers, and exit strategies
Oversee litigation, arbitration, mediation, collections, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and other disputes
Manage outside counsel, litigation strategy, legal budgets, invoices, and spend
Pursue practical and cost-effective dispute resolution whenever appropriate
Manage departmental priorities, workload, staffing, budgets, and outside legal resources
Establish departmental goals, performance expectations, and operational metrics
Build collaborative relationships across acquisitions, development, construction, finance, accounting, leasing, asset management, property management, and executive leadership
Cultivate strong relationships with lenders, consultants, title companies, and external legal partners
Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned
Requirements
Demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with practical business objectives
Exceptional commercial real estate transactional expertise
Advanced contract drafting and negotiation skills
Strong knowledge of commercial lending and structured finance
Experience with corporate governance, entity management, and partnership structures
Working knowledge of environmental law, zoning, land use, and regulatory compliance
Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
High degree of emotional intelligence, integrity, sound judgment, and professionalism
Ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously while meeting deadlines
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and legal technology platforms
Demonstrated interest in emerging legal technologies, document automation, contract lifecycle management systems, and artificial intelligence applications within the legal profession
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school
Licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Ohio
Ohio Notary Public certification, or ability to obtain within a reasonable period after hire
Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible legal experience
Significant experience in commercial real estate transactions, acquisitions, dispositions, development, financing, and leasing
Experience managing outside counsel and complex legal matters
Nice to have:
Thorough understanding of construction and development law
Important Details
Schedule: Monday through Friday, may require longer hours and occasional weekend work as job duties demand
About the Company
Weston, Inc. fosters a dynamic and collaborative work environment where everyone is valued and respected. They are committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees. Their hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.
