Real Estate Counsel

Taylor Root; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Taylor Root is seeking a Senior Counsel, Real Estate & Development to join its leadership team in Orlando. The role focuses on guiding strategic real estate transactions, development initiatives, risk management, and governance across a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

The attorney will balance sophisticated transaction work with day-to-day leadership, collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize deal structures and ensure regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership; Florida licensure preferred.
• 8-12+ years of legal experience focused on real estate, land development, construction, or related areas.
• Experience supporting sophisticated real estate transactions within a developer, homebuilder, real estate company, or law firm.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal support for land acquisition, disposition, and development transactions.
• Draft, negotiate, and manage purchase agreements, easements, JV/partnerships, and development contracts.
• Oversee due diligence including title, zoning, land use, environmental matters.
• Advise executive leadership on risk, compliance, and business strategy.
• Manage litigation, disputes, and oversight of outside counsel.

Skills

Real estate law

Contract negotiation

Due diligence

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Florida bar admission

Job description

I’m partnering with a well-established and rapidly growing real estate development and homebuilding organization seeking a Senior Counsel, Real Estate & Development to join its leadership team.

This is a highly visible role offering the opportunity to serve as a strategic legal advisor to executive leadership while leading complex real estate transactions, development initiatives, risk management efforts, and corporate governance activities.

About the Opportunity

The successful candidate will provide practical, business-focused legal counsel across a broad range of real estate, land development, construction, and corporate matters. This position is ideal for an attorney who enjoys balancing sophisticated transaction work with day-to-day legal leadership in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Key Responsibilities

Real Estate Transactions & Development

• Lead legal support for land acquisition, disposition, and development transactions.
• Structure, draft, and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, easements, joint ventures, partnership agreements, and development contracts.
• Manage legal due diligence, including title, zoning, land use, entitlement, and environmental matters.
• Partner with business leaders to assess transaction risk and optimize deal structures.

Contract Management & Legal Operations

• Draft, review, and negotiate construction, vendor, professional services, brokerage, and development agreements.
• Develop contract standards, templates, and approval processes to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Provide guidance on customer agreements, warranties, and disclosure requirements.

Executive & Strategic Legal Counsel

• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on legal, regulatory, and business matters.
• Support strategic growth initiatives, market expansion efforts, and joint venture opportunities.
• Provide practical legal guidance that balances business objectives with risk management considerations.
• Manage litigation, claims, disputes, and oversight of outside counsel.
• Advise on risk mitigation strategies involving contracts, construction matters, insurance requirements, and property-related disputes.
• Support compliance initiatives across multiple business functions and operating entities.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with Finance, Operations, Construction, Sales, and Human Resources teams.
• Deliver legal training and guidance to business stakeholders across the organization.
• Serve as a trusted internal resource known for practical and solutions-oriented counsel.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership; Florida licensure preferred.
• 8-12+ years of legal experience focused on real estate, land acquisition, development, construction, or related areas.
• Experience supporting sophisticated real estate transactions within a developer, homebuilder, real estate company, or law firm environment.
• Strong knowledge of land use, zoning, entitlement, environmental, and development-related legal matters.
• Proven contract negotiation and drafting expertise.
• Strong executive presence, business acumen, and ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of an organization.

Why This Role?

High-impact legal leadership position

Direct exposure to executive leadership and strategic initiatives

Opportunity to influence large-scale development projects

Broad scope across transactions, governance, compliance, and risk management

Collaborative, entrepreneurial environment with significant growth opportunities