AVP, Sr. Counsel, Real Estate

Lincoln Financial; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 171,000 - 274,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO/ parental leave

Competitive 401K and benefits

Tuition assistance program

Work arrangements that work for you

Job summary

Lincoln Financial is seeking a senior real estate attorney to join the Investments Legal Team. You will counsel on complex commercial mortgage loan originations, servicing matters, workouts, and leasing across the enterprise while guiding risk management and regulatory compliance.

You will partner with senior leadership to influence strategic decisions and lead initiatives, including managing outside counsel and driving process improvements in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience counseling clients on commercial real estate transactions.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret real estate law and transaction documentation.
• Ability to analyze legal issues, synthesize complex information and communicate to business professionals clearly.
• Graduate degree in J.D. from ABA approved school and state Bar in good standing is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel on complex commercial mortgage loan originations and servicing matters.
• Collaborate with business teams to assess and mitigate credit and operational risks during workouts, modifications, and foreclosures.
• Deliver legal expertise in real estate matters ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and legal requirements.
• Support national leasing activities across business lines with thorough review and negotiation of documentation.
• Direct outside counsel on complex matters to ensure cost-effective, high-quality outcomes.

Skills

Commercial real estate law

Legal counseling

Stakeholder communication

Risk assessment

Education

J.D. from ABA approved school

Bar admission in good standing

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Alternate Locations: Charlotte, NC (North Carolina); Greensboro, NC (North Carolina) Work Arrangement: Hybrid : Employee will work 3 days a week in a Lincoln office Relocation assistance: is not available for this opportunity. Requisition #: 76634

The Role at a Glance

We’re excited to add a new member to our Investments Legal Team, supporting Lincoln’s general account investments, primarily relating to commercial mortgage loans, real estate investments. In this leadership-driven position, you will serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives, influence high-impact decisions, and guide complex transactions that advance strategic initiatives and risk management. This is an opportunity to combine deep legal expertise in commercial real estate law with strategic vision—leading initiatives, managing risk, and innovating processes in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. If you’re passionate about delivering excellence, driving change, and staying ahead of industry trends, we invite you to bring your expertise and make a lasting impact.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serving as a strategic legal advisor by providing expert counsel on the review, negotiation, and documentation of complex commercial mortgage loan originations and servicing matters.
• Collaborating with the business team to assess and mitigate credit and operational risks while reviewing, coordinating, and executing commercial mortgage loan workouts, modifications, and foreclosure strategies in compliance with investor and regulatory standards.
• Delivering legal expertise in real estate related matters, ensuring transactions align with organizational objectives and legal requirements.
• Providing legal support in the review, negotiation, and documentation of the leasing activities for all business line units nationally.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to the Mortgage and Real Estate Team, influencing strategic decisions and fostering collaborative partnerships across the enterprise.
• Monitoring and interpreting regulatory developments under state insurance law and other investment compliance frameworks, advising on implications for investment strategies.
• Managing and directing outside counsel on complex legal matters, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality outcomes.
• Staying ahead of market trends in commercial mortgage lending and real estate; evaluating emerging developments and collaborating with senior leadership to integrate innovative solutions into business practices.
• Championing organizational initiatives by leading change management efforts and supporting enterprise-wide projects that enhance operational efficiency and legal compliance.
• Driving process improvement by identifying and implementing enhancements that elevate quality and effectiveness across teams and business units.

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of experience counseling clients with respect to commercial real estate transactions, preferably with a major law firm or financial institution.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret real estate law and transaction documentation.
• Ability to analyze a variety of legal issues, synthesize complex information and communicate to business professionals in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from diverse audiences including investment professionals, senior leadership and other stakeholders.
• 4 Year/Bachelor's degree (Minimum Required)
• Graduate degree in J.D. from an American Bar Association approved school and a member of a state Bar in good standing is required. (Minimum Required)

Nice to have

• Experience advising on commercial real estate lending transactions such as bridge and transitional lending, fund financing, workouts and foreclosures.

Application Deadline

Applications for this position will be accepted through November 17, 2026, subject to earlier closure due to applicant volume.

What’s it like to work here?

At Lincoln Financial, we love what we do. We make meaningful contributions each and every day to empower our customers to take charge of their lives. Working alongside dedicated and talented colleagues, we build fulfilling careers and stronger communities through a company that values our unique perspectives, insights and contributions and invests in programs that empower each of us to take charge of our own future.

What’s in it for you

• Clearly defined career tracks and job levels, along with associated behaviors for each of Lincoln's core values and leadership attributes
• Leadership development and virtual training opportunities
• PTO/parental leave
• Competitive 401K and employee benefits
• Free financial counseling, health coaching and employee assistance program
• Tuition assistance program
• Work arrangements that work for you
• Effective productivity/technology tools and training

The pay range for this position is $171,375 - $274,200 with anticipated pay for new hires between the minimum and midpoint of the range and could vary above and below the listed range as permitted by applicable law. Pay is based on non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, education, location, licensure requirements, proficiency and qualifications required for the role. The base pay is just one component of Lincoln’s total rewards package for employees. In addition, the role may be eligible for the Annual Incentive Program, which is discretionary and based on the performance of the company, business unit and individual. Other rewards may include long-term incentives, sales incentives and Lincoln’s standard benefits package.

About The Company

Lincoln Financial (NYSE: LNC) helps people to confidently plan for their version of a successful future. We focus on identifying a clear path to financial security, with products including annuities, life insurance, group protection, and retirement plan services. With our 120-year track record of expertise and integrity, millions of customers trust our solutions and service to help put their goals in reach. Lincoln Financial Distributors, a broker-dealer, is the wholesale distribution organization of Lincoln Financial. Lincoln Financial is the marketing name for Lincoln Financial Corporation and its affiliates including The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY. Lincoln Financial affiliates, their distributors, and their respective employees, representatives and/or insurance agents do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. Lincoln is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. For the latest company news, visit our newsroom.

Additional Information

This position may be subject to Lincoln’s Political Contribution Policy. An offer of employment may be contingent upon disclosing to Lincoln the details of certain political contributions. Lincoln may decline to extend an offer or terminate employment for this role if it determines political contributions made could have an adverse impact on Lincoln’s current or future business interests, misrepresentations were made, or for failure to fully disclose applicable political contributions and or fundraising activities. Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted through our web site or to personal e‑mail accounts of employees of Lincoln Financial are considered property of Lincoln Financial and are not subject to payment of agency fees. Lincoln Financial ("Lincoln" or "the Company") is an Equal Opportunity employer and, as such, is committed in policy and practice to recruit, hire, compensate, train and promote, in all job classifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability. Opportunities throughout Lincoln are available to employees and applicants are evaluated on the basis of job qualifications. If you are a person with a disability that impedes your ability to express your interest for a position through our online application process, or require TTY/TDD assistance, contact us by calling [phone]. This Employer Participates in E-Verify. See the E-Verify notices. Este Empleador Participa en E-Verify. Ver el E-Verify avisos.