Associate General Counsel (Real Estate)

Taylor Root; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 1,500,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Taylor Root is representing a leading Hong Kong property developer in search of an experienced Real Estate Associate General Counsel to join its in-house legal team in Hong Kong. The role provides strategic legal counsel across residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, leasing, development and portfolio management.

The successful candidate will work closely with the General Counsel and external counsel to manage legal risk, draft and

Qualifications

• Qualified HK solicitor with a minimum of 8 years PQE.
• Substantial experience in HK commercial real estate and conveyancing.
• Strong drafting and negotiating track record on complex real estate transactions.
• Solid understanding of HK land law, stamp duty, planning and building control.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under time pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal English; Cantonese/Mandarin advantageous.
• Strong commercial awareness and pragmatic problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on commercial real estate transactions, including land acquisitions, developments, joint ventures and disposals.
• Draft, review, and negotiate sale/purchase agreements, development, joint venture, leases, licences, construction contracts and related documents.
• Support sale of residential and commercial units with conveyancing documentation.
• Advise on real estate financing and refinancing transactions and security docs.
• Manage leasing matters for landlord and tenant positions across the portfolio.
• Advise on planning, land use, building regulations, title issues and regulatory compliance under HK law.
• Coordinate external counsel on complex matters, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality.
• Identify, assess and mitigate legal risks; contribute to internal policies and playbooks.
• Support dispute resolution and litigation strategy relating to real estate, construction and conveyancing.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to deliver commercially practical legal solutions.
• Provide training and guidance on real estate legal issues relevant to Hong Kong practice.

Skills

Real estate law

Conveyancing

Drafting

Negotiation

Commercial awareness

Hong Kong law

Education

Qualified Hong Kong solicitor

Job description

We are a leading Hong Kong property developer seeking an experienced Real Estate Associate General Counsel to join our in-house legal team based in Hong Kong. This role will provide high-quality legal counsel and support on a broad range of complex real estate matters across our residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, leasing, development, sales, and portfolio management.

The successful candidate will work closely with the General Counsel, senior management, and external counsel to protect the company’s interests, manage legal risk, and support commercial objectives in a dynamic Hong Kong property market. This is a hands-on role requiring strong commercial judgment, excellent drafting and negotiation skills, and the ability to operate independently while collaborating effectively across functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on commercial real estate transactions, including land acquisitions, project developments, joint ventures, and disposals.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of real estate documents, including sale and purchase agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, leases, licences, construction contracts, and related ancillary documents.
• Support the sale of residential and commercial units, including preparation and review of preliminary agreements, formal agreements, and related conveyancing documentation.
• Advise on real estate financing and refinancing transactions, including security documentation and negotiations with lenders.
• Manage leasing matters for both landlord and tenant positions across the company’s portfolio.
• Advise on planning, land use, building regulations, title issues, and related regulatory compliance under Hong Kong law.
• Oversee and coordinate external counsel on complex or specialised matters, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality of advice.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks associated with real estate activities; contribute to the development of internal policies, templates, and playbooks.
• Support dispute resolution and litigation strategy relating to real estate, construction, and conveyancing matters.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (project development, sales & marketing, finance, asset management, and senior leadership) to deliver commercially practical legal solutions.
• Provide training and guidance to business colleagues on real estate legal issues relevant to Hong Kong practice.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified Hong Kong solicitor (or equivalent with eligibility to practise in Hong Kong) with a minimum of 8 years’ post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Substantial experience in Hong Kong commercial real estate and conveyancing law, ideally gained in a leading law firm and/or in-house role supporting a significant property development portfolio.
• Strong track record in drafting and negotiating complex real estate transactions, development agreements, and unit sales documentation.
• Solid understanding of Hong Kong land law, stamp duty, planning and building control, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and deliver clear, commercially focused advice under time pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Cantonese and/or Mandarin is highly advantageous.
• Strong commercial awareness and pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
• High integrity, sound professional judgment, and the ability to build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience advising on large-scale residential or mixed-use development projects in Hong Kong.
• Familiarity with construction contracts, joint ventures, and financing structures commonly used by Hong Kong property developers.
• Previous in-house experience with a property developer, investment company, or major real estate group.
• Ability to work independently while knowing when to elevate or seek specialist input.