Legal Counsel

The Cleveland Foundation; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cleveland Foundation in Cleveland, OH seeks an experienced corporate counsel to lead legal strategy for complex real estate transactions, nonprofit governance, and regulatory matters. You will partner with Finance, Real Estate, and external advisors to structure mission-aligned initiatives and manage risk.

Ideal candidates bring 5–8 years of related experience, a JD, and strong negotiation and communication skills to advance neighborhood development and community impact within a

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate outside counsel relationships for real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and development projects.
• Manage internal Real Estate, environmental liability, and corporate governance requirements.
• Draft and negotiate complex real estate and development agreements and related documents.
• Provide guidance on zoning, land use, permitting, entitlements, and public approvals.
• Collaborate with executives, developers, lenders, and external counsel to mitigate risk and advance strategic projects.
• Mentor paralegals and legal staff while engaging with cross-functional teams across the Foundation.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Project management

Organizational skills

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Co-Counsel

Agiloft

Legal technology applications

Job description

Description

About Us

The Cleveland Foundation, established in 1914 as the world's first community foundation, continues to shape the future of place-based philanthropy more than a century later. With $4.1 billion in assets and a legacy of bold leadership, we are driven by a commitment to improve the lives of everyone who calls Greater Cleveland home, today and for generations to come.

Joining our team means becoming part of a culture that blends history-making impact with forward-looking innovation. Our vision is a vibrant Northeast Ohio where no Clevelander is left behind. Every team member plays a key role in advancing this vision by tackling Cleveland's most critical issues, championing opportunities for all, and helping unlock the full potential of our region.

Our headquarters in the heart of MidTown places us at the center of a historic neighborhood and growing district, surrounded by partners, community leaders and residents who are reimagining what's possible for our city. Here, you'll work in a dynamic, collaborative environment designed to spark creativity, deepen relationships, and accelerate change.

At the Cleveland Foundation, you can be part of building a stronger future for every Clevelander.

About You

You are a sophisticated corporate counsel who combines deep legal expertise with sound business judgment, proven experience in leading legal activities for a mid-major sized organization (<$500M in revenue) and a commitment to community impact. You understand that successful legal counsel is not simply about identifying risk, but about creating practical solutions that enable transformative projects and programs to move forward responsibly and effectively.

Whether negotiating a land acquisition, structuring a development land lease agreement, navigating regulatory requirements, or advising leadership on nonprofit legal matters, you balance legal rigor with strategic thinking. You are comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment where projects involve multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and significant community impact.

As a trusted advisor, you have exceptional relationship-building skills and can effectively collaborate with executives, developers, government officials, outside counsel, lenders, community partners, and internal teams. You communicate complex legal concepts clearly, helping business leaders make informed decisions while protecting the organization's interests and mission.

You possess a strong understanding of both real estate law and the unique legal framework governing tax-exempt organizations. You appreciate the opportunities and responsibilities that come with serving a philanthropic institution and are energized by helping advance projects that strengthen neighborhoods, attract investment, create opportunity, and improve quality of life throughout Greater Cleveland.

Most importantly, you are a collaborative business partner with impeccable integrity, strong negotiation skills, and a solutions-oriented mindset. You thrive when tackling complex challenges, identifying creative paths forward, and serving as a strategic partner who helps turn bold ideas into lasting community impact.

Job Summary

This role serves as a strategic legal advisor to the Cleveland Foundation, providing counsel on complex real estate transactions, development initiatives, nonprofit governance, and regulatory matters. This role partners across the organization to structure and execute mission-aligned projects, manage legal risk, and support the Foundation's efforts to strengthen communities through transformative real estate and philanthropic investments.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate outside legal counsel relationships in a cost-effective manner, serving as lead in-house legal counsel on real estate acquisitions, dispositions, land assemblage, joint-ventures, development projects, and strategic property transactions.
• Handle internal legal requirements of Real Estate, environmental liability and overall general corporate governance.
• Review outside legal expenses and provide guidance in preparing legal department budgets.
• Cultivates productive relationships with community partners, public agencies, developers, lenders, and external counsel.
• Support and/or assist in legal due diligence, including title examinations, surveys, environmental reports, zoning reviews, organizational documents, and closing materials.
• Draft, review, and manage purchase agreements, leases, easements, financing agreements, development agreements, construction management at risk agreements, construction-related contracts, architect of record and related transaction documents.
• Provide legal guidance regarding zoning, land use, permitting, entitlements, and public approvals.
• Support representation of the Foundation in real estate closings, disputes, litigation management, and administrative proceedings as needed.
• Support property tax exemption matters and tax-exempt property ownership structures. Handle DTE tax exemption filings and follow up on property tax refunds by parcel.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational risks associated with Foundation activities.
• Provide practical legal counsel supporting Foundation initiatives in neighborhood development, community investment, and economic development.
• Be a strategic business partner with Finance, Real Estate, Human Resources, Philanthropy, and external stakeholders to develop legally compliant solutions to grow and strengthen our impact in the community.
• Maintain awareness of evolving legislation and regulatory developments affecting nonprofit organizations and real estate operations.
• Mentor and oversee paralegals, legal assistants, and external legal resources as appropriate.
• Collaborate effectively across departments to ensure timely and successful completion of strategic initiatives and operational requests.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on legal matters impacting organizational strategy and operations.

General Competencies

• Judgment
• Communication
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Problem-Solving

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Ohio, or ability to obtain Ohio licensure within a reasonable period of time.
• Minimum of 5-8 years of progressively responsible legal experience in real estate law, commercial transactions, economic development, nonprofit law, or a related practice area.
• Strong knowledge of real estate transactions, title insurance, commercial leasing, financing, land use, zoning, and development agreements.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit law, tax-exempt organizations, charitable giving structures, and corporate governance principles.
• Experience drafting, negotiating, and managing complex legal agreements.
• Experience managing outside counsel and complex cross-functional projects.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Advanced legal research, writing, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Co-Counsel, Agiloft and legal technology applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large-scale real estate development or community development initiatives.
• Experience with tax-exempt financing, public-private partnerships, New Markets Tax Credits, Opportunity Zones, or similar financing structures.
• Familiarity with property tax exemption matters and governmental incentive programs.
• Prior experience working with a nonprofit, foundation, healthcare organization, public entity, or mission-driven institution.
• Assist in supporting internal legal requirements of charitable tax gift acceptance, and other legal needs.

Work Environment

• Professional office-based environment with regular collaboration across Finance, executive leadership, committees, external advisors, investment managers, donors, and community partners.
• Role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to time-sensitive requests, and occasionally represent the Foundation in industry, investment, and philanthropic forums.