Real Estate Counsel

Cerami Search Group; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cerami Search Group is seeking a Real Estate Counsel to join its legal team in Downtown Dallas. This in-house role targets an attorney with institutional real estate transactional experience who aims to partner with business units.

You will work closely with the Legal Department, property management, operations, investment teams, and senior leadership on transactions and day-to-day legal matters affecting residential real estate.

Qualifications

• J.D. and active admission to at least one U.S. state bar.
• 2–4 years of legal experience with substantial institutional real estate transactions.
• Experience at a national, midsize, or large law firm with a strong real estate practice.
• In-house experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Support real estate transactions including acquisitions and dispositions.
• Advise property management, operations and investment teams on legal matters.
• Review leases and operating documents and provide guidance on lease enforcement and disputes.
• Manage property-related claims, consumer complaints and disputes.
• Assist with regulatory reviews and risk management in coordination with leadership.
• Coordinate with outside counsel on litigation, real estate and regulatory matters.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Drafting

Communication

Organization

Collaboration

MS Office

Education

J.D.

Bar admission

Tools

Legal tech platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our client, a growing real estate company is seeking a Real Estate Counsel to join its legal team in Downtown Dallas. This is a broad-based role for an attorney with strong institutional real estate transactional experience who is interested in moving into an in-house environment and becoming a true business partner to the organization.

The attorney will work closely with the Legal Department, property management, operations, investment teams, and senior leadership on transactions and day-to-day legal matters affecting the company’s residential real estate portfolio.

The Opportunity

This position will have exposure to a wide range of real estate and operational matters, including:

• Real estate transactions: Support community purchases, multi-property and multi-asset acquisitions, dispositions, and other institutional real estate transactions.
• Property operations: Advise property management and operational teams on legal issues affecting residential communities and day-to-day business activities.
• Leasing & landlord-tenant matters: Review residential leases and operating documents and provide guidance regarding lease enforcement, tenant disputes, HOA/community matters, and related issues.
• Claims & disputes: Manage and advise on property-related claims, consumer complaints, demand letters, threatened litigation, personal injury/property damage matters, and other escalated issues.
• Regulatory matters: Assist with agency inquiries, regulatory reviews, complaints, and compliance matters involving federal, state, and local requirements.
• Risk management: Identify legal and business risks and provide practical recommendations that allow the company to move forward while protecting its interests.
• Outside counsel: Work with and oversee outside attorneys on litigation, real estate, regulatory, and other specialized matters.
• Insurance: Assist with insurance claims, coverage issues, carrier communications, and dispute resolution.
• Business partnership: Work directly with operations, finance, investment management, compliance, communications, and leadership teams to provide clear, practical legal guidance.
• Training & process improvement: Help develop legal guidance, templates, policies, and training programs that allow business teams to address recurring legal issues effectively.

What We’re Looking For

• J.D. and active admission to at least one U.S. state bar
• Approximately 2–4 years of legal experience, with substantial experience in institutional real estate transactions and/or real estate-related matters
• Experience at a national, midsize, or large law firm with a strong real estate practice preferred
• Experience with residential real estate or property management matters is highly desirable
• Prior in-house experience is preferred, but strong law firm candidates interested in making the transition to an in-house role are encouraged to apply
• Strong understanding of real estate transactions and the ability to assess broader operational and business issues
• Excellent legal research, writing, drafting, and communication skills
• Strong judgment and the ability to balance legal risk with practical business considerations
• Comfortable working with senior executives, business leaders, outside counsel, and sophisticated institutional investors
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment
• Collaborative, curious, solutions-oriented, and comfortable working across departments
• Strong technology skills, including Microsoft Office and legal technology platforms

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to move beyond a traditional transactional practice and gain broad, hands-on exposure to the legal and operational side of an institutional real estate platform. The successful attorney will have the opportunity to work on sophisticated transactions while also becoming a trusted legal resource for the company’s property management and business teams.

Location: Downtown Dallas

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Relocation: Candidates currently in the Dallas-Fort Worth area or those open to relocating are encouraged to apply.

Cerami Search Group is an equal opportunity employer.