Chief Legal Officer

Harmony Senior Services; South Carolina; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Harmony Senior Services seeks a Chief Legal Officer to lead the legal function, guide corporate governance, contracts, and litigation strategy. Based in Charleston, SC, the role requires managing a small legal team and coordinating with executives on strategic initiatives.

The position emphasizes complex real estate transactions, regulatory compliance, and risk management, with travel as needed. A JD from an ABA-accredited school and SC licensure or eligibility within a year are required.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 12–15 years of experience with real estate and construction matters.
• Licensed to practice in South Carolina or eligible to be licensed within 12 months.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; high ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the legal department (3 attorneys, two paralegals).
• Draft/review commercial leases, purchase/sale agreements, easements, and related docs.
• Perform due diligence and coordinate real estate transactions incl. closings.
• Review titles, surveys, and generate title/survey objections.
• Draft closing, conveyancing, loan, and corporate resolution documents.
• Track tasks and communicate progress; manage post-closing matters.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Moral character

Business acumen

Education

J.D. degree (ABA-accredited)

SC bar license or eligible within 12 months

Job description

Reporting directly to Ownership, the Chief Legal Officer is crucial in ensuring the legal compliance, protection, and overall success of the company. As the highest-ranking attorney, the Chief Legal Counsel oversees and provides expert legal advice and guidance to ownership, the executive team, management, and various departments within the organization. They are responsible for managing all legal matters affecting the company, including corporate governance, contracts, intellectual property, employment law, regulatory compliance, and litigation. The Chief Legal Officer collaborates closely with key stakeholders, such as the CEO and senior executives, to develop and implement effective legal strategies that align with the organization's mission and values. They also act as a mediator and advocate, interacting with external legal counsel, government agencies, and other parties to negotiate agreements, resolve disputes, and protect the company's interests. Furthermore, the Chief Legal Officer keeps abreast of ever-evolving laws and regulations that may impact the business, proactively identifying potential legal risks and finding creative solutions to navigate complex legal issues. By providing comprehensive legal counsel, this role helps mitigate legal liabilities, foster ethical business practices, and contribute to the overall growth and success of the organization.

The Chief Legal Officer will also be responsible for the following:

• Supervision of existing legal department of 3 attorneys and two paralegals.
• Draft/review commercial lease agreements, purchase and sale agreements, reciprocal easement agreements, contractor and construction documents, etc.
• Perform due diligence for, and coordinate transactions and work with team to close, commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions, with and without loans.
• Review title commitments, recorded documents, and surveys, and generate title and survey objections.
• Draft closing, conveyancing, loan, and corporate resolution documents in connection with transactions.
• Track transaction tasks, parties, and key dates, and communicate progress to team as issues and tasks are resolved.
• Follow up on the typical host of post-closing matters.
• Coordinate recordation of deeds, deeds of trust/mortgages, amendments, subdivision maps, lot line adjustments, easements, CC&Rs, and similar documents.
• Supervise and finalize entity formation, corporate governance, and H.R. legal work.
• Conduct basic legal and business research.
• Carry out related responsibilities as company needs dictate.
• Communicate regularly with our company officers to achieve established goals for each property under management or development.

Education/Experience:

• J.D. Degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in South Carolina or licensed in another jurisdiction with the ability to become licensed in South Carolina within one year is desired.
• 12-15 years of experience, preferably with consistent litigation involvement in real estate and construction matters. Preference will be given to candidates who also have corporate or business experience.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must have strong analytical and communication skills and sound judgment in safeguarding confidential and sensitive information.
• Candidates must possess strong moral character and high ethical standards.
• Must have keen business sense and understand not only the legal implications but also the business implications of contracts and agreements.

Wessex has corporate offices in Charleston, South Carolina and Roanoke, Virginia. This full-time position will be based in the Charleston, South Carolina office. Some travel may be required.

• Wessex offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit package.

About Our Company:

Smith Packett is one of the nation’s most respected and successful senior housing developers. Wessex Capital Investments is a nationally recognized private equity firm whose core expertise is value creation through investments in opportunistic acquisitions and new construction of senior housing and commercial real estate. Harmony Senior Services is one of the fastest growing operators of Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care senior communities in the country. Wessex/Harmony are the 23rd largest owner/provider of senior housing in the country.