InHouse Legal Counsel

In-House Legal – Real Estate, Planning and Development

Reporting to the president, you will be responsible for providing legal advice to senior management and each department, primarily regarding land acquisition, planning, development and real estate transactions, representing the Company at hearings before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, drafting and negotiating real estate agreements, and perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Lead the legal process of land acquisition, conduct due diligence and title research, identify the potential risks from legal perspective and prepare all legal documents needed to close a land acquisition transaction
• Monitor changes in laws and regulations, especially in municipal and planning law, real estate law. Keep the executive management team posted on the most up to date laws and regulations
• Review and negotiate various professional consulting services and construction trade contracts and work closely with our land development and construction teams
• Responsible for the negotiation and drafting of various contracts and agreements
• Review and negotiate contracts and agreements and advise business teams on a variety of matters including operational issues, land development, marketing and construction
• Manage external counsel in relation to litigation files, attending LPAT/OMB, TLAB and other matters and advise and assist internal departments on such matters
• Responsible for drafting the new home sales agreement and assist the marketing and customer service team to resolve any disputes that might occur with the purchaser
• Provide advice on any legislative matters governing a real estate development company
• Provide services and advice in relation to various other matters as required from time to time
• Provide advice on company HR & operations management. Make sure all operational activities meet the requirements of legal compliance

Qualifications and Experience

• 7+ years previous experience with an emphasis in real estate laws practice preferred

• Experience in both developer/builder and real estate law firms will be considered an asset.
• With excellent written and verbal communication skills, communicating clearly and solving problems

• Enthusiastic, hard-working, enjoy working in a team environment and confident working at a senior level with external lawyers and other professional colleagues.
• Solid “hands-on” experience drafting, negotiating and reviewing a wide variety of agreements, particularly in real estate land acquisition, sales, professional services contracts, consulting service agreements, etc.
• Knowledge of working within the real estate sector and assisting sales department on residential sales and upgrade transactions.
• Background in contract support for a variety of business functions including land acquisition, land development, engineering, sales & marketing, construction, operations and other internal clients.
• Ability to advise management on risks across the business and strategies for mitigation
• Good judgment and attention to detail
• Learns quickly and thinks creatively