Real Estate Legal Counsel (Bilingual Mandarin)

Vertex Hospitality is seeking a Real Estate Counsel to lead and support all legal aspects of the company's real estate portfolio. This role will primarily be responsible for structuring, reviewing, and negotiating commercial leases and related agreements, while proactively identifying and mitigating legal and operational risks. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in retail or restaurant leasing and can partner effectively with operations, finance, and franchise stakeholders.ResponsibilitiesDraft, review, and negotiate commercial leases, amendments, renewals, and terminationsLead and support Letters of Intent (LOIs), ensuring alignment with business and financial objectivesPartner with internal stakeholders to structure favorable lease terms, including rent, CAM, tenant improvement allowances, and use clausesOversee execution of agreements (lease, MSAs, etc) and maintain consistency across multiple brands and locationsServe as the primary legal point of contact in negotiations with landlords and their counselAdvise on deal structure and risk allocation in lease negotiationsSupport resolution of landlord-tenant disputes, including defaults, notices, and enforcement actionsReview and advise on a broad range of real estate-related legal documents, including: Guarantees, Estoppels and SNDAsVendor and construction-related agreementsIdentify legal risks and provide proactive, business-oriented solutions to mitigate exposureDevelop standard templates, clauses, and playbooks to ensure consistency and reduce riskMonitor lease compliance and advise on potential defaults or breachesDraft and respond to legal notices, including default and cure communicationsPartner with external counsel as needed for escalated disputes or litigationProvide clear, practical legal guidance to non-legal stakeholdersSupport new store development and expansion initiatives across multiple brandsEstablish and maintain organized lease documentation and tracking systemsCreate scalable processes to support a growing, multi-brand portfolioEnsure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company standardsQualificationsJuris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law schoolActive bar membership in good standing (or ability to register as in-house counsel)3–7+ years of experience in commercial real estate law (retail/restaurant experience strongly preferred)Strong experience negotiating commercial leases and LOIsAbility to balance legal risk with business objectives in a fast-paced environmentExcellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex legal conceptsHighly organized with strong attention to detailBilingual Mandarin required.