Associate General Counsel - Real Estate

University of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 153,000 - 264,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Tuition assistance

Retirement plans

Wellness programs

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania seeks an experienced Associate General Counsel - Real Estate & Construction to advise on broad real estate matters for the University, Penn Medicine, and subsidiaries. The attorney will negotiate complex leases, development and acquisition agreements, zoning and permitting matters, and oversee risk, compliance, and related litigation.

Ideal candidates have a J.D., PA bar admission, at least 5 years in real estate law, and a proven ability to work with executive

Qualifications

• Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school with a J.D. degree.
• Must be admitted and in good standing in Pennsylvania.
• Minimum 5 years' professional experience as a practicing real estate attorney.
• Familiarity with environmental law and related real estate cross-cutting issues is a plus.
• Strong writing, negotiation and advisory skills, with ability to interact with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Leasing: prepare/negotiate commercial leases and licenses; advise on day-to-day landlord/tenant issues.
• Design and Construction: draft/negotiate construction-related agreements; manage risk and disputes.

Skills

Negotiation

Legal drafting

Advisory

Communication

Leadership

Education

J.D. degree

Pennsylvania bar admission

Job description

Associate General Counsel - Real Estate & ConstructionAttorney

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer inPhiladelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research,and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranksamong the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & WorldReport survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provideopportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education,all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach toscholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been rankednationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbeswho named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city ofPhiladelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urbancampus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, andrecreational activities. With its historical significance andlandmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety ofatmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home forwork and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includesexcellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and theirfamilies, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety ofprofessional development opportunities, supportive work and familybenefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources,and much more.

Posted Job Title

Associate General Counsel - Real Estate & ConstructionAttorney

Job Profile Title

Associate General Counsel

Job Description Summary

The Office of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine seeks a full-time Real Estate & Construction attorney to advise and provide legal support for the University, Penn Medicine, and its real estatesubsidiaries regarding a broad range of real estate andconstruction matters, including real estate development, purchasesand sales, leases and other matters. The attorney will be expected to advise and assist the University's Senior Vice President forFacilities and Real Estate Services and her staff in developing andnegotiating legal documents for construction and real estate transactions and attending to the business/legal details of suchtransactions including strategies to mitigate legal and financialrisks.

Job Description

• LEASING: Prepare and negotiate commercial leases includingretail, office and laboratory leases as well as residential leases,easements and other real estate documents; provide advice to theUniversity's real estate team in dealing with day‑to‑daylandlord/tenant issues, property management concerns, and theinterpretation of leases and other contractual documents; managerelated litigation; draft and negotiate licenses and other similaragreements regarding the use of facilities in connection withsporting events, theatrical productions, food and merchandisevending, musical performances and other activities.
• DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION: Draft, negotiate, and administerconstruction-related agreements, including: general contractoragreements, design-build contracts, owner-contractor agreements,architect and engineering agreements, subcontract agreements,consultant agreements, advise project teams on contract complianceand risk management, analyze and negotiate change orders, claims,delay disputes, and project modifications, counsel stakeholders andmanage litigation regarding construction defects, warranty issues,and performance disputes, review insurance requirements, bonds,indemnification provisions, and risk transfer mechanisms, and guideproject teams through project closeout and warranty administrationprocesses.
• ACQUISITION/DISPOSITIONS & DEVELOPMENT: Structure,negotiate, draft, and review purchase and sale agreements, groundleases, joint venture and partnership agreements for commercial,industrial, multifamily, mixed-use, retail, and residentialproperties. Conduct legal due diligence associated withacquisitions and development projects. Review and analyze titlecommitments, title policies, surveys, easements, encroachments, andrestrictive covenants. Advise on property ownership structures,joint ventures, and investment arrangements. Prepare and negotiatefinancing documents, loan agreements, mortgage instruments, andsecurity agreements. Coordinate real estate closings andpost-closing obligations. Support portfolio management initiativesand strategic real estate investments.
• ZONING: Advise clients regarding zoning and building codeissues and prepare, file and prosecute zoning and building codeappeals. Advise clients regarding planning, permitting,environmental requirements, and land-use regulations. Representclients before zoning boards, planning commissions, municipalauthorities, and governmental agencies. Coordinate entitlements andapprovals for development projects. Assess legal risks associatedwith development opportunities and site selection. Monitorregulatory changes that may impact development projects.
• UTILITIES/ENERGY: Provide advice regarding utility and energymatters; draft and negotiate utility agreements, renewable energyprojects, power purchase agreements and other energy purchasingarrangements and related easements and documents.
• LEGAL COMPLIANCE: Ensure compliance with federal, state, andlocal real estate and construction laws. Monitor legal developmentsaffecting real estate ownership, development, financing,environmental matters, and construction activities. Provide legalguidance regarding building codes, licensing requirements,environmental regulations, fair housing laws, ADA requirements.Advise clients as to real estate tax and transfer tax consequencesof proposed transactional structures; file and prosecute, asappropriate, tax assessment and tax exemption applications andappeals. Develop and implement contract compliance programs andbest practices.
• THIRD PARTY CONSULTANTS: Draft, negotiate and structureagreements with real estate brokers and other consultants involvedin real estate management and transactions; manage and oversee thework of outside attorneys dealing with real estate and relatedissues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Graduation from a recognized college or university; graduation froman ABA accredited law school with a J.D. degree; Must be admittedand in good standing in Pennsylvania. Minimum 5 years' professionalexperience as a practicing real estate attorney. Familiarity withenvironmental law, especially laws and regulations relating to themanagement and abatement of environmental conditions affecting realestate, and familiarity with real estate related aspects of thebankruptcy code are a plus. This position requires a sophisticatedunderstanding of both the legal and business aspects of real estatedevelopment and real estate transactions; precise analyticalandreasoning skills; impeccable verbal and written communicationskills, the ability to identify, frame, and resolve complicated andsensitive problems creatively and with professional discretion; andthe ability to interact and function effectively both individuallyand as a team member in both an academic and a businessenvironment.

• Demonstrated excellence in legal research, analysis andreasoning and drafting, with the ability to translate complex legalissues into clear, practical advice.
• Impeccable oral and written communication skills, including theability to effectively present and advise various audiences in allareas and at all levels including senior leadership, and to tailorcommunications appropriately.
• Ability to identify, frame, and resolve complex and sensitivelegal and operational issues, using sound judgement, creativity anddiscretion. Ability to interact and function effectively in both ahigher education environment, as well as in an academic medicalcenter setting.
• Strong legal writing, negotiation, and advisory skills, with apractical, solutions-oriented approach. Ability to manage sensitivematters with sound judgment and discretion. Experience workingdirectly with executive leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, withhigh emotional intelligence and the ability to build credibilityquickly across many different stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage a high volume of complex workin a fast-paced environment, including the ability to prioritize,balance competing demands and concurrent matters, and respond in atimely and service-oriented manner for timely resolution ofissues.
• Ability to work effectively in a decentralized, matrixedorganization, navigating institutional structures and bringing theright stakeholders into discussions as appropriate.
• Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team while alsoleading initiatives and influencing outcomes without directauthority.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

President's Center

Pay Range

$152,625.00 - $263,917.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications,experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to therequirements of the position, and in alignment with salary rangesbased on external market data for the job's level. Internalorganization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenshipstatus, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer ismade. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to therequirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Pennoffers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health,dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and yourfamily's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spendingaccounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent careexpenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuitionbenefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can gettuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are alsoeligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans tohelp you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, andSupplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on apre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investmentoptions through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with asubstantial amount of time away from work during the course of theyear. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personalaffairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time withfamily-whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with GenworthFinancial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible familymembers) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of thecosts of long-term care services received at home, in the communityor in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, youwon't have to provide proof of good health or be subject tounderwriting requirements. Eligible family members must alwaysprovide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed tosupporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competingdemands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a widevariety of programs and resources to help you care for your health,your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides anarray of resources to help you advance yourself personally andprofessionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community,you have access to a wide range of University resources as well ascultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of theUniversity's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit ourarboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on atPenn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latestmusic or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the PennRelays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a memberof the Penn community, you're right in the middle of theexcitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of theseactivities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts andentertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find greatdeals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts andcultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admissionand memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoysubstantial savings on other goods and services such as new carsfrom Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movietickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offercreative approaches for completing work while promoting balancebetween work and personal commitments. These approaches involve useof non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or jobstructures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivableloan for eligible employees interested in buying a home orcurrently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used forclosing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligibleemployees on qualified expenses in connection with the legaladoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for upto two adoptions in your household.