Lead Real Estate & Construction Counsel

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 198,000 - 277,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks an experienced real estate and construction attorney to lead the in-house real estate practice. You will manage transactions, advise executives, and build scalable legal processes across the U.S. and international sites.

The role requires a J.D., active bar admission, and at least seven years in commercial real estate or construction law. Hybrid work options may be available, with emphasis on cross-functional collaboration across our Legal & Compliance team.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with the ability to obtain and maintain in-house counsel registration where applicable.
• 7+ years of legal experience with a law firm, corporation, or government entity, including substantive experience in commercial real estate transactions and/or construction contracting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead sophisticated projects involving multiple team members, such as large due diligence projects or multi-site transaction efforts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead counsel across Blue Origin's real estate life cycle, partnering with the Facilities, Maintenance, Security, and Operations (FMSO) team from site identification and due diligence through transactional execution and ongoing compliance.
• Draft, review and negotiate agreements across Blue Origin's U.S. and international real estate portfolio, including letters of intent and other preliminary agreements, leases, licenses, purchase and sale agreements, estoppel certificates, subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements (SNDAs), easements, renewals, amendments, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Lead construction legal support, including contract drafting and negotiation, claim management, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies to advance Blue Origin's infrastructure development and operational objectives.
• Conduct and improve real estate due diligence, including review of title commitments and exceptions, surveys, easements, and covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs); advise on zoning, land use, entitlements, and permitting matters, coordinating with outside counsel and consultants where specialized local expertise is required.
• Support FMSO and Government Relations on economic incentives, abatements, and site-selection commitments with state and local governmental authorities, including documentation, claw-back exposure, and ongoing compliance obligations.
• Manage landlord and construction disputes in coordination with litigation counsel, including claim evaluation, settlement strategy and negotiation, and direction of outside counsel as required.
• Identify, assess and elevate risks in partnership with cross-functional subject matter experts across regulatory compliance; insurance, risk and recovery; trade compliance; tax; and environmental, health and safety.
• Provide practical, business-oriented counsel to executives and colleagues at every level, and build scalable processes, programs, and tools that improve the Department's delivery of legal services.

Skills

Project leadership

Legal advisory

Real estate & construction

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Blue Origin seeks an experienced real estate and construction attorney to lead the in-house real estate practice. You will manage transactions, advise executives, and build scalable legal processes across the U.S. and international sites.

The role requires a J.D., active bar admission, and at least seven years in commercial real estate or construction law. Hybrid work options may be available, with emphasis on cross-functional collaboration across our Legal & Compliance team.