Assistant Counsel
Keystone Custom Homes
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Job summary
Keystone Custom Homes in Lancaster, PA is seeking an Assistant Counsel to provide comprehensive legal guidance across real estate, land development, and corporate matters. This role partners with the General Counsel and senior leadership to manage risk and ensure regulatory compliance.
You will draft and negotiate real estate contracts, oversee governance, and support acquisitions while balancing business objectives. A JD, PA license, and at least two years of relevant experience are required.
Qualifications
- J.D. required and PA bar in good standing.
- Experience in real estate, land use, or construction law is preferred.
- Strong contract drafting, negotiating, and issue-spotting abilities.
- Ability to communicate complex legal concepts to non-lawyers.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate real estate and land development contracts.
- Support corporate governance and board matters.
- Provide day-to-day legal advice to internal departments.
- Monitor regulatory changes affecting homebuilding and construction.
- Assist in due diligence for acquisitions and financing.
- Coordinate with outside counsel on litigation matters.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Award-winning and nationally recognized, Keystone Custom Homes is the region's largest independent builder.
Driven by a commitment to excellence for our customers, team, and community. Join our growing team!
Keystone is a 3X recipient of the America's Best Builder Award.
2019
89% donation to the National Christian Foundation.
2020-2024
Keystone expands to the Carolinas.
2025
Keystone expands into Virginia.
Each quarter, we come together as a company, both physically and virtually reflecting on the past quarter, planning for what’s ahead, and connecting through fun team games.
Learning is better with free lunch and good company.
An opportunity for the team members in various regions to gather, learn, share experiences, and enjoy lunch together.
Keystone participates in a local intramural league where some of our team members compete together every week.
We whip out the grill and enjoy lunch together every Friday!
We celebrate each summer with an evening of food, games, and fun with the whole team and their families.
Our annual Christmas Party brings the team together to celebrate the season with food and socializing.
A chance to learn from teammates and other departments and gain a fresh perspective on the work they do for Keystone.
Each quarter, we come together as a company, both physically and virtually reflecting on the past quarter, planning for what’s ahead, and connecting through fun team games.
Learning is better with free lunch and good company.
An opportunity for the team members in various regions to gather, learn, share experiences, and enjoy lunch together.
Keystone participates in a local intramural league where some of our team members compete together every week.
We whip out the grill and enjoy lunch together every Friday!
We celebrate each summer with an evening of food, games, and fun with the whole team and their families.
Our annual Christmas Party brings the team together to celebrate the season with food and socializing.
A chance to learn from teammates and other departments and gain a fresh perspective on the work they do for Keystone.
- First-class Training
- Home Purchase Program
- Innovative Wellness Program
- Vanguard 401k Match
- Supplemental Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
Every team member is a Craftsman for the Common Good. Through our partnership with HOPE International, we invite every team member who has been with Keystone for 3 years and a plus-one on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Dominican Republic and every team member who has been here for 7 or more years and a plus-one to Africa to see the work of HOPE International and Keystone Custom Homes firsthand.
Keystone Custom Homes Milestone trip to Zambia with HOPE International, provides an opportunity to witness firsthand how HOPE empowers communities through savings groups and helps local businesses thrive without external capital. This immersive experience offers a unique chance for personal growth and team cohesion, while deepening Team Members' connection to Keystone's mission. More than just a trip, this highlights why Keystone is a rewarding place to grow a career rooted in purpose through local and global impact!
Keystone Custom Homes Team Members who participate in the Dominican Republic Milestone trip with HOPE International get to engage directly with clients of Esperanza, HOPE's local partner, gaining valuable insights into the transformative impact of poverty alleviation efforts and how these initiatives empower communities across generations. This meaningful journey fosters engagement and fulfillment while enhancing both professional and personal development!
Keystone Custom Homes partners with each team member to Give Back in meaningful ways.
Keystone Custom Homes will double the donations team members make to qualifying non-profits around the country.
Follow Keystone Custom Homes on LinkedIn and see how we engage, share, and grow with our community.
Charlotte, NC
2030 Airport Flex Drive, Suite R, Charlotte, NC 28208
Coming Soon
Join OUR Team
Position:Assistant Counsel
Location: Lancaster, PA
Job Id:449
# of Openings:1
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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
For the past 18 years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of being part of the Keystone Custom Homes family. Every day, I’m genuinely excited to contribute to a company whose mission goes far beyond building beautiful homes. Some of my favorite memories come from the joy we’ve been able to share with our homeowners during community events. I’m continually humbled and proud to work alongside a team that gives so much heart and effort to making a positive impact.
Assistant New Home Advisor
I genuinely enjoy every aspect of what we do, and I’m fulfilled each day by the opportunity to support our team as we guide our customers toward meaningful life improvement.Beyond the day-to-day work, the mission and impact of HOPE International continue to fuel my passion. Seeing firsthand the incredible work being done around the world reminds me that our efforts extend far beyond individual homes.
Working at Keystone Custom Homes for the past 30 years has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. From the start, Jeff Rutt challenged me to grow in ways I never expected.The culture at Keystone is built on people who relentlessly strive for excellence and never settle for “good enough.” What makes this place truly special is our shared passion to be the best and the constant pursuit of improvement. I’ve stayed all these years because of Jeff’s leadership and the incredible team I’ve been blessed to work with.
VP of Construction and Customer Care
I first became part of the Keystone Custom Homes family as a homeowner in 2005.In October 2006, I joined Keystone as a New Home Advisor, and it has truly been a calling and a passion for me.As a New Home Advisor, every day I wake up and ask myself, who or what family may I serve today to become the next happy new homeowners? There’s nothing more compelling than seeing the smiles on our customers’ faces as they step into their dream homes.
Looking back, what’s kept me excited to come to work each day has evolved over time. When I first joined Keystone, I came from a large national company that was struggling and didn’t really value employee engagement. From day one here, I felt heard and like I was actually making a difference and that my work mattered. That sense of purpose is still a big part of what keeps me going. Of course, like everyone else, I work because bills exist, but beyond that, I stay because I’ve grown so much here, professionally, mentally, and even maturity-wise. That ongoing growth and the feeling that I’m still contributing to something bigger than myself make it easy to stay motivated.
Barb DiBrito
Sales Technology Integration Manager
Since joining Keystone Custom Homes in 2010, I’ve supported field survey, civil drafting, and engineering operations through a period of significant growth, and it’s been rewarding to be part of that evolution from the beginning. I’m thankful for the relationships built, the lessons learned, and the memories shared with coworkers over the years. Keystone Custom Homes has played a significant role in my professional and personal growth, and it’s the people—past, present, and future—who make the work meaningful.
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