Attorney - In House Counsel

Prairie Management & Development, Inc.; Arlington Heights (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Prairie Management & Development, Inc. seeks an experienced in-house attorney to serve as primary legal advisor at its Chicago headquarters.

The role will partner with senior leadership on real estate, development, and business operations matters, with a focus on practical, risk-balanced guidance to support growth. Candidates should have 3–7 years of real estate, business, or contracts experience, a J.D., Illinois bar admission, and strong drafting and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Requires JD from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois; in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s primary in-house legal advisor.
• Work with senior leadership on real estate, development, and business matters.

Skills

Legal drafting

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Strategic counsel

Written communication

Multi-tasking

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

• This job will be located in Chicago, IL***

We are seeking an attorney to join our team as In-House Counsel at our corporate headquarters in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Responsibilities

The person filling this role will serve as the company’s primary in-house legal advisor. This role offers the opportunity to work directly with senior leadership on a broad range of legal matters affecting the company's real estate portfolio, development activities, and business operations. The ideal candidate will have 3-7 years of legal experience, preferably in general real estate matters, landlord tenant law, business law, or contracts, and possess the ability to provide practical legal guidance that supports business objectives while managing risk in an entrepreneurial environment. Responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

Real Estate & Development

• Provide legal support for real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financing transactions, and development projects.
• Review purchase and sale agreements, letters of intent, easements, leases, financing documents, and development-related contracts.
• Manage legal due diligence, title review, surveys, and transaction closings along with outside counsel.
• Advise on zoning, land use, municipal approvals, permitting, and regulatory matters.

Property Management & Operations

• Counsel leadership and management on landlord-tenant matters, lease enforcement, resident disputes, notices, evictions, security deposit compliance, and fair housing issues.
• Provide guidance regarding compliance with Illinois & Wisconsin landlord-tenant laws, including the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) , and other applicable local requirements.
• Review and negotiate vendor contracts, service agreements, and operational documents.
• Assist in developing policies, procedures, notices, and lease documentation to reduce operational and litigation risk.
• Consult in day-to-day legal issues arising from property management and business operations.

Corporate & Commercial Matters

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements and business contracts.
• Advise leadership on corporate governance, entity management, licensing, insurance, and risk management matters.

Employment & Compliance

• Provide guidance on employment-related matters, workplace policies, employee relations issues, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor and advise on federal, state, and local laws affecting company operations in Illinois and Wisconsin.
• Develop and maintain compliance policies and procedures to mitigate legal and operational risks.

Litigation & Risk Management

• Manage litigation, claims, administrative proceedings, and dispute resolution matters.
• Coordinate with and oversee outside counsel as necessary.
• Evaluate legal risks and provide practical recommendations that balance business objectives with legal compliance.
• Draft legal correspondence, notices, demand letters, settlement agreements, and related documentation.

It should be noted that insurance and outside counsel are used extensively.

QUALIFICATIONS

Other tasks as assigned by the senior leadership team

Required

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in Illinois.
• Approximately 3-7 years of legal experience, preferably in real estate, commercial, business, or litigation practice.
• Strong writing skills including contract drafting, negotiation, legal research, and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
• Strong business judgment and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to legal issues.

Preferred

• Experience with residential or commercial real estate transactions.
• Experience in supporting property management operations.
• Familiarity with the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), Illinois eviction procedures, fair housing laws, and housing compliance requirements.
• Experience handling landlord-tenant disputes, lease enforcement, and eviction proceedings.
• Knowledge of real estate development, construction, and commercial leasing.
• Experience with affordable housing programs including Project-Based Section 8 and Section 42.
• Experience managing litigation and working with outside counsel.
• Familiarity with Wisconsin real estate and business law.
• Wisconsin bar admission is a plus but not required.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be a trusted advisor who can balance legal risk with business objectives and provide practical, business-focused counsel to leadership. This individual should be comfortable working in a hands-on environment, managing a diverse range of legal matters, and supporting a growing organization across multiple business functions.

This is a unique opportunity to build an in-house legal function and play a key role in the continued growth and success of a dynamic real estate management and development firm.

Company Description

Prairie Management & Development, Inc. (PMD) is a mission-driven property development and management firm with over 40 years of industry experience. PMD’s primary focus is to provide, through construction and preservation, clean, safe and affordable housing for the residents, including for some who are most in need. The company owns and/or manages 40+ projects, all of which are located in the Midwest. Company headquarters is located on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

Prairie Management & Development, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Company Description

Prairie Management & Development, Inc. (PMD) is a mission-driven property development and management firm with over 40 years of industry experience. PMD’s primary focus is to provide, through construction and preservation, clean, safe and affordable housing for the residents, including for some who are most in need. The company owns and/or manages 40+ projects, all of which are located in the Midwest. Company headquarters is located on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Prairie Management & Development, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.