Real Estate Attorney - Senior Leasing Counsel

Benderson; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Benderson Development seeks an experienced Senior Leasing Counsel to join its in-house legal team. You will negotiate and structure sophisticated commercial leasing transactions for a large national portfolio while collaborating with leasing professionals and business leaders.

This role requires strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills, with a focus on practical legal guidance and strategic partnership within a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Seven (7) or more years of commercial real estate transactional experience, including significant leasing responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial leases and related real estate documents.
• Partner with leasing professionals to negotiate transactions and develop practical business solutions.
• Advise internal stakeholders on lease interpretation, risk analysis, and contractual obligations.
• Structure and negotiate lease modifications throughout tenant relationships.
• Support acquisitions, dispositions, and due diligence in deals.
• Assist with eminent domain matters and government incentive programs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to facilitate successful transactions.

Skills

Lease drafting

Commercial leasing negotiations

Risk analysis

Legal advice

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Join One of the Nation's Largest Privately Held Commercial Real Estate Companies

Benderson Development owns and manages more than 1,000 commercial properties encompassing over 56+ million square feet across 40 states. Our diverse portfolio includes retail, office, industrial, hospitality, mixed-use, residential, and land holdings.

We are seeking an experienced commercial real estate attorney to join our in-house legal team as Senior Leasing Counsel. This role offers the opportunity to negotiate and structure sophisticated leasing transactions across a nationally recognized portfolio while partnering closely with experienced leasing professionals and business leaders.

This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who enjoys negotiating complex transactions, providing practical legal guidance, and working as a strategic business partner in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

What You’ll Do

As Senior Leasing Counsel, you will play a key role in supporting commercial leasing transactions across our national portfolio.

Responsibilities include:

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial leases, amendments, renewals, estoppels, SNDAs, waivers, termination agreements, and other related real estate documents.
• Partner with leasing professionals to negotiate transactions and develop practical business solutions while protecting the company's legal interests.
• Advise internal stakeholders on lease interpretation, risk analysis, exclusives, use restrictions, operating covenants, and ongoing contractual obligations.
• Structure and negotiate lease modifications throughout the lifecycle of tenant relationships.
• Support acquisitions and dispositions through contract review, due diligence, and transactional matters.
• Assist with eminent domain matters, government incentive programs, and other commercial real estate legal issues.
• Collaborate with leasing, development, construction, finance, property management, and executive leadership to facilitate successful transactions.
• Manage multiple complex transactions simultaneously while balancing legal risk with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Seven (7) or more years of commercial real estate transactional experience, including significant commercial leasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating sophisticated commercial lease documents.
• Strong business judgment with the ability to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on sophisticated commercial leasing transactions across one of the nation's largest privately held real estate portfolios.
• Direct collaboration with experienced leasing professionals and executive leadership.
• A collaborative, business-minded legal environment where attorneys are valued as strategic partners.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Long-term career opportunity with an established, financially strong real estate owner and developer.

Salary Range:

$150,000 - $250,000

Final compensation will be based on geographic location, experience, qualifications, and overall skill set.