Corporate Counsel, Transactions

Harbor Group; New York, Northern (NY, KY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Matching

PTO & 10+ Holidays

HSA Contributions

Legal Resources

Tuition Reimbursement

Volunteer Opportunities

Employee Recognition & Awards

Job summary

Harbor Group International is seeking an experienced Corporate Counsel to join its in-house legal team in New York. The successful candidate will manage complex domestic and international real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and debt investments, reporting to the Chief Legal Officer.

The role emphasizes ownership, proactive risk analysis, and collaboration with business teams across transactions and asset management.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and current bar license required; New York license preferred, but other jurisdictions will be considered.
• 4–6 years of transactions and/or M&A experience, preferably in real estate.
• Proactive, ownership‑oriented mindset.
• Detail‑oriented, organized, and able to work under pressure with changing priorities.
• Availability for domestic and international calls outside normal hours.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft, and manage letters of interest, term sheets, and other commercial contracts.
• Lead complex real estate transactions, including direct acquisitions and share purchase transactions.
• Draft, negotiate, and review JV agreements, purchase agreements, and loan agreements.
• Close real estate financings, including whole loans, mezzanine loans, and preferred equity investments.
• Draft, negotiate, prepare, and review contracts related to real estate operations; ensure compliance with internal policies and business goals.
• Identify legal and business risks in deal structuring and propose solutions.
• Supervise and support outside counsel and collaborate with deal teams across transactions, asset management, and investor relations.
• Partner with the Chief Legal Officer on deal strategy, risk assessment, and process improvements.

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

New York bar admission preferred

Job description

Harbor Group International, 51 West 52nd Street, New York, New York, United States of America

Job Description

Harbor Group International (HGI) is a leading global private equity real estate investment manager, with $21 billion in assets under management. HGI's vertically integrated platform offers a broad range of both direct real estate and credit strategies across the risk/return spectrum.

Corporate Counsel, Transactions

Reports to: Chief Legal Officer
Location: On-Site, Corporate Office-New York, NY

*This position offers a competitive compensation package including base salary, annual bonus opportunity and comprehensive benefits.

Job Summary:

Harbor Group International, LLC ("HGI") is a global, vertically integrated real estate investment and management firm with approximately $21 billion in assets under management, comprising 537 assets worldwide, ~65,000 multifamily units, and 5 million square feet of commercial real estate. With a team of approximately 1,600 employees across offices in Norfolk, New York, Baltimore, Hong Kong, and Tel Aviv, HGI's platform spans acquisitions, dispositions, asset management, construction, leasing, and property management. HGI is seeking an experienced, proactive Corporate Counsel to join its best-in-class in-house legal team, reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer.

The primary focus of the Corporate Counsel, Transactions will be working on complex domestic and international multifamily and commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and debt investments. This role is well suited to a self-directed attorney who anticipates issues before they arise and takes ownership of matters from inception through closing.

Responsibilities:

• Negotiate, draft, and manage letters of interest, term sheets, and other commercial contracts.
• Lead complex real estate transactions, including both direct acquisitions and share purchase transactions.
• Draft, negotiate, and review JV agreements, purchase agreements, and loan agreements.
• Close real estate financings, including whole loans, mezzanine loans, and preferred equity investments.
• Draft, negotiate, prepare, and review contracts related to real estate operations; ensure compliance with internal policies and business goals.
• Proactively identify legal and business risks in deal structuring, and bring solutions to the table.
• Supervise and support outside counsel, and collaborate with business team members across the firm's transactions, asset management, and investor relations groups.
• Partner closely with the Chief Legal Officer on deal strategy, risk assessment, and legal process improvements, contributing ideas that raise the bar for the legal function as a whole.

Qualifications:

• JD from an accredited law school and current bar license required; New York license preferred, but other jurisdictions will be considered.
• 4 to 6 years of transactions and/or M&A experience, preferably in real estate.
• A proactive, ownership-oriented mindset.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to work well under pressure with flexibility and nimbleness amid changing priorities and deadlines.
• Availability for domestic and international conference calls outside normal working hours, given HGI's global platform.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and operate as a self-starter.
• Strong team orientation, with the ability to work equally well independently and contribute to a high-performing, collaborative legal team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with internal stakeholders at all levels and across a wide range of functional areas.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive Salaries & Bonuses
• 401(k) Plan with Employer Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & 10+ Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Company-Paid Long-Term Disability
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability
• Health Savings Account with Employer Contributions
• Wellness Perks
• FinFit Financial Wellness Program
• Legal Resources
• Employee Apartment Discount
• Employee Referral Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Volunteer & Community Service Opportunities
• Employee Recognition & Awards

Benefit eligibility will be determined at the time of hire. Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on position, location, hours worked, and other qualifying criteria.

Harbor Group Management is proudly an Equal Opportunity Employer EOE/M/F/D/V. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Harbor Group International, 51 West 52nd Street, New York, New York, United States of America