Assistant Counsel

Keystone Custom Homes; Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Custom Homes is seeking an Assistant Counsel to support the General Counsel and VP of Land and Counsel in providing legal guidance across residential homebuilding and land development operations. The role collaborates with leadership to manage legal risk, ensure regulatory compliance, and support business initiatives.

Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating contracts, reviewing real estate and development documents, assisting with governance, zoning, litigation support, and

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice in Pennsylvania in good standing.
• At least 2 years of legal experience in a law firm or corporate legal department.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate real estate and land development contracts and related documents.
• Provide day-to-day legal advice to internal departments.
• Support regulatory compliance, zoning and land use tasks.
• Manage customer disputes, litigation support, and liaise with outside counsel.
• Assist with governance, acquisitions, and risk management.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

J.D. degree

PA Bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI tools

Job description

Assistant Counsel

Keystone Custom Homes is seeking an Assistant Counsel to support the General Counsel and the Vice President of Land and Counsel in providing legal guidance and services across all aspects of our residential homebuilding and land development operations. This role will work closely with the General Counsel, the Vice President of Land and Counsel and the executive leadership to help manage legal risk, ensure regulatory compliance, support business operations, support land acquisition and development efforts and contribute to the company's continued growth and success. The Assistant Counsel will handle and assist with a broad range of legal matters including, but not limited to, contract review and drafting, corporate governance, real estate transactions, zoning and land use, customer disputes, regulatory compliance and litigation.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate real estate and land development contracts, construction agreements, vendor and trade partner contracts, sales documents, general business agreements and forms, and other transactional documents
• Ensure contracts, real estate documents and other legal documents comply with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies
• Provide day-to-day legal advice and support to internal departments including operations, sales, marketing, warranty, construction, human resources, IT and customer relations
• Support with identifying and assessing legal risks related to construction, warranties, customer relations, marketing programs, sales practices, and business operations
• Support with recommendations of practical, cost-effective solutions to mitigate legal exposure
• Support the General Counsel and the Vice President of Land and Counsel in developing and implementing risk management, real estate and business strategies
• Support with monitoring and researching state, federal, and local laws and regulations affecting homebuilding, residential construction, real estate development, warranty and sales
• Assisting in ensuring company compliance with zoning, land use, environmental, permitting, and other regulatory requirements
• Help maintain and update company policies, procedures, and standard forms to reflect current legal requirements
• Assist in managing and resolving customer disputes, warranty claims, construction defect allegations, consumer complaints, and other consumer issues
• Litigation support and coordination with outside counsel
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, correspondence, and pleadings
• Assist in managing case files and tracking deadlines to ensure deadlines are met
• Serve as a point of contact with homebuyers, trade partners, municipalities, lenders, title companies, suppliers, and other external parties
• Represent Keystone Custom Homes professionally in legal and business matters
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Assist with corporate governance matters, board resolutions, and entity maintenance
• Support due diligence for acquisitions, financing, and strategic initiatives and acquisitions
• Handle special projects and additional legal matters as assigned by the General Counsel and Vice President of Land and Counsel

Qualifications Required

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• Admission to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with license in good standing
• Minimum of 2 years of legal experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, real estate legal department or combination thereof
• Strong working knowledge of contract and transactional law, corporate law, real estate law, litigation, and zoning and land use
• Strong working knowledge of general corporate legal principles
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with ability to explain legal issues clearly to non-lawyers
• Sound judgment and ability to balance legal considerations with business objectives
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving business environment
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with General Counsel, the Vice President of Land and Counsel, executive leadership, business leaders and cross-functional team members
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, AI and legal research platforms

Preferred

• Experience in homebuilding, residential construction, real estate development, or construction law
• Experience handling customer disputes, warranty issues, or consumer protection matters
• Experience working with cross-functional business teams in a corporate or real estate environment