General Counsel

General CounselReal Estate & Alternative InvestmentsHybrid — Glassell Park, Los Angeles, CA | Full-Time| Compensation commensurate with experience + benefitsAbout the CompanyWe are a growing real estate investment firm based in Los Angeles, managing a diverse portfolio of commercial properties, while also actively investing in adjacent ventures and alternative assets. Our team is lean, entrepreneurial, and fast moving. We are seeking a sharp, business minded General Counsel to serve as our first in house legal hire - a trusted strategic partner to the CEO and a go to resource across all legal and compliance matters.Position OverviewThe General Counsel will be the firm's sole in house legal authority, responsible for managing all legal matters across our real estate portfolio, corporate entities, and business operations. This is a hybrid legal and strategic advisory role - you will not only handle day to day legal execution but also sit at the table with the CEO to provide counsel on business decisions, risk management, and growth initiatives.The ideal candidate is comfortable operating as a generalist with deep CRE expertise - someone who can draft a lease, manage outside litigation counsel, advise on an acquisition structure, and handle an HR matter all in the same week.Key ResponsibilitiesReal Estate Transactions & LeasingDraft, review, and negotiate commercial leases (NNN, gross, modified gross), lease amendments, SNDAs, estoppel certificates, and lease termination agreements.Manage all legal aspects of acquisitions and dispositions - including LOIs, PSAs, title review, due diligence coordination, closing documentation, and post-closing obligations.Advise on §1031 exchange structures, timing requirements, and qualified intermediary relationships.Review and negotiate easements, CC&Rs, reciprocal operating agreements, and other encumbrances.Coordinate with title companies, escrow officers, and outside transaction counsel to ensure clean closings.Advise on landlord-tenant matters, including lease enforcement, default notices, unlawful detainer proceedings, and tenant negotiations.Review and advise on ground leases, sale-leaseback structures, and other complex lease arrangements as needed.Entity Formation & Corporate GovernanceManage formation, maintenance, and dissolution of LLC and other entity structures across the portfolio.Draft and maintain operating agreements, partnership agreements, and related governance documents.Ensure compliance with state filing requirements - including California Secretary of State, FTB, registered agent obligations, and annual statements.Maintain corporate records, minute books, and capitalization tables for all entities.Advise on entity structuring for new acquisitions, joint ventures, and alternative investment vehicles.Manage membership interest transfers, assignment agreements, and buy sell provisions.Litigation & Dispute ManagementServe as primary point of contact for all litigation matters; retain, manage, and oversee outside litigation counsel.Manage pre litigation disputes, demand letters, and settlement negotiations to achieve favorable resolutions efficiently.Oversee unlawful detainer actions, eviction proceedings, and landlord-tenant disputes.Monitor and manage construction defect claims, contractor disputes, and mechanics lien matters.Advise on insurance coverage positions and coordinate with carriers and brokers on claims.Maintain litigation hold protocols and oversee document preservation and discovery obligations.Contracts & Vendor AgreementsDraft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts - including property management agreements, construction contracts, service agreements, vendor contracts, NDAs, and consulting agreements.Review and advise on capital advisory, brokerage, and asset management agreements.Maintain a centralized contract management system; track key dates, expirations, and renewal obligations.Develop and maintain standard form templates to streamline recurring contract workflows.Advise on insurance requirements, indemnification provisions, and liability limitations in contracts.Review and advise on financing documents, loan agreements, guaranties, and intercreditor arrangements.Human Resources & Employment LawServe as primary legal resource for employment matters - including hiring, terminations, workplace investigations, and accommodation requests.Draft and maintain offer letters, employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, and confidentiality/non-solicitation agreements.Develop and update employee handbook, HR policies, and workplace compliance documentation in accordance with California employment law.Advise on California specific wage and hour compliance, leave laws, and anti-discrimination requirements.Manage responses to agency charges, demand letters, and employment claims in coordination with outside employment counsel as needed.Provide guidance on classification of employees vs. independent contractors.Strategic Advisory & CEO PartnershipServe as a trusted advisor to the CEO - proactively identifying legal risks and business opportunities across operations, transactions, and growth initiatives.Participate in strategic planning discussions and provide legal input on portfolio decisions, capital raises, and new business ventures.Advise on regulatory compliance matters including local permitting, zoning, environmental obligations, and utility regulations (e.g., GWP).Manage and optimize outside counsel relationships — ensuring quality, cost-efficiency, and strategic alignment.Build scalable legal infrastructure including policies, templates, playbooks, and approval workflows as the firm grows.Stay current on relevant developments in California real estate law, corporate law, and employment regulations.RequirementsEducation & Bar AdmissionJ.D. from an accredited law school.Active member in good standing of the California State Bar.Experience7–9 years of legal experience, with a meaningful portion in-house or at a firm with a dedicated real estate practice.Demonstrated experience handling commercial real estate transactions, leasing, and entity structuring.Exposure to California landlord-tenant law, commercial eviction proceedings, and lease enforcement.Prior experience managing litigation and outside counsel relationships.Experience advising on or drafting employment agreements and HR policies under California law.Track record working directly with founders, executives, or principals in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.Skills & CompetenciesStrong drafting skills across a wide range of transactional and corporate documents.Ability to distill complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance for non-lawyer stakeholders.High business acumen — able to weigh legal risk against commercial objectives and offer balanced recommendations.Excellent negotiation skills and professional presence in external dealings.Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously under time pressure.Proficiency in Google Workspace, contract management tools, and document management systems.Ideal CandidateEntrepreneurial and adaptable — excited by the breadth of a solo in-house role rather than intimidated by it.A pragmatic problem-solver who moves quickly, finds workable solutions, and doesn't over-lawyer straightforward matters.Comfortable being a thought partner to the CEO — bringing legal judgment to business conversations, not just legal sign-off.Low ego and collaborative, with a service mindset toward internal stakeholders and external partners alike.Proactive about identifying risk before it becomes a problem, and equally proactive about building systems that prevent recurring issues.Discreet and trustworthy - capable of handling sensitive business and personnel matters with professionalism.BenefitsComprehensive health insuranceFlexible PTOHybrid work environment (Glassell Park, Los Angeles)