Assistant General Counsel, Real Estate

Lennar USA; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Adoption assistance

Vacation time

Home purchase discounts

New hire referral bonus

Job summary

Lennar seeks a Director, Assistant General Counsel, Real Estate in Irvine, CA to oversee complex land acquisition, development, and real estate transactions. You will craft and negotiate purchase agreements, manage title/entitlement work, and coordinate with multiple internal teams to move projects forward.

The role requires JD with 10–15 years in real estate law, plus in-house experience at a homebuilder or related firm. Competitive compensation and strong benefits accompany the position.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and an active license in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 10–15 years of legal experience in real estate transactions and related areas.
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating acquisition agreements and related documents.
• Ability to provide clear, practical risk-balanced advice to senior leadership.
• Prior in-house experience with a homebuilder, developer, land bank, or title company preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical legal advice to Division and regional leadership on land and real estate matters.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage purchase/sale and related agreements through closing.
• Support all phases of the transaction lifecycle from LOIs to post-closing.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align legal strategy with business goals.
• Review title commitments, surveys, and development-related diligence materials.
• Manage outside counsel and maintain cost discipline.
• Prepare and support internal approval packages and closing checklists.
• Develop forms, playbooks, and training to improve efficiency and risk management.

Skills

Real estate transactions

Land acquisition

Land development

Title & entitlement

Construction

Drafting & negotiation

In-house collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Director, Assistant General Counsel, Real Estate

We are Lennar

Lennar is one of the nation's leading homebuilders, dedicated to making an impact and creating an extraordinary experience for their Homeowners, Communities, and Associates by building quality homes and providing exceptional customer service, giving back to the communities in which we work and live in, and fostering a culture of opportunity and growth for our Associates throughout their career. Lennar has been recognized as a Fortune 500® company and consistently ranked among the top homebuilders in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, timely, and business-oriented legal advice to Division and regional leadership on land acquisition, land banking, land development, title, entitlement, construction, and related real estate matters.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage purchase and sale agreements, amendments, easements, access agreements, reimbursement agreements, cost-sharing agreements, development-related agreements, escrow arrangements, and other transaction documents through closing and post-closing follow-up.
• Support all phases of the transaction lifecycle, including letters of intent, due diligence, title and survey review, objection and cure strategy, zoning and entitlement issues, internal approvals, closing coordination, and post-closing obligations.
• Partner closely with Land Acquisition, Land Development, Finance, Operations, Risk, Lennar Title, and other internal teams to identify issues early, align legal and business strategy, and keep transactions and projects moving efficiently.
• Review and advise on title commitments, surveys, plats, restrictive covenants, HOA/CC&R documents, development agreements, utility matters, access and easement issues, and other property-related diligence materials, providing clear guidance on risk, closing conditions, and next steps.
• Manage outside counsel on selected matters, including setting scope, reviewing work product, driving timely execution, and maintaining cost discipline consistent with approved budgets and business priorities.
• Prepare, coordinate, and support legal and internal approval packages, committee submissions, closing checklists, signature processes, dispute strategy, and other documentation necessary to meet company requirements and transaction deadlines.
• Help develop and improve forms, playbooks, training, and legal processes that promote consistency, efficiency, and sound risk management across transactions and development activities.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 10-15 years of legal experience, with substantial experience in real estate transactions, land acquisition, land development, homebuilding, commercial real estate, construction, or a closely related practice.
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating acquisition agreements and related transaction documents, and advising on title, survey, diligence, entitlement, closing, and development-related issues.
• Ability to provide clear, practical, risk-balanced advice to business leaders and cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, with the ability to operate effectively at both strategic and day-to-day execution levels.
• Experience managing outside counsel and legal spend, and partnering effectively with business teams to drive matters to resolution.
• Prior in-house experience with a homebuilder, developer, land bank, title company, or real estate owner/operator, or comparable law firm practice, is preferred.

Physical & Office/Site Presence Requirements:

This is primarily a sedentary office position which requires the incumbent to have the ability to operate computer equipment, speak, hear, bend, stoop, reach, lift, and move and carry up to 25 lbs. Finger dexterity is necessary.

This description outlines the basic responsibilities and requirements for the position noted. This is not a comprehensive listing of all job duties of the Associates. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• This information is intended to be a general overview and may be modified by the company due to factors affecting the business.

General Overview of Compensation & Benefits:

We reasonably expect the base compensation offered for this position to range from an annual salary of $165,500.00 - $206,900, subject to adjustment based on business-related factors such as employee qualifications, geographic pay differentials (e.g., cost of labor/living, etc.), and operational considerations.

• This position may be eligible for bonuses.
• This position may be eligible for commissions.
• This position will be eligible for the described benefits listed in the above section in accordance with Company Policy.
• This information is intended to be a general overview and may be modified by the Company due to factors affecting the business.

Life at Lennar

At Lennar, we are committed to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for our Associates, offering a comprehensive array of benefits designed to enhance their well-being and professional growth. Our Associates have access to robust health insurance plans, including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, ensuring their health needs are well taken care of. Our 401(k) Retirement Plan, complete with a $1 for $1 Company Match up to 5%, helps secure their financial future, while Paid Parental Leave and an Associate Assistance Plan provide essential support during life's critical moments. To further support our Associates, we provide an Education Assistance Program and up to $30,000 in Adoption Assistance, underscoring our commitment to their diverse needs and aspirations. From the moment of hire, they can enjoy up to three weeks of vacation annually, alongside generous Holiday, Sick Leave, and Personal Day policies. Additionally, we offer a New Hire Referral Bonus Program, significant Home Purchase Discounts, and unique opportunities such as the Everyone’s Included Day. At Lennar, we believe in investing in our Associates, empowering them to thrive both personally and professionally. Lennar Associates will have access to these benefits as outlined by Lennar’s policies and applicable plan terms. Visit Lennartotalrewards.com to view our suite of benefits.

Lennar is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws.