Senior Real Estate Counsel

JP Management; Hackensack (NJ); On-site; USD 200,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

JP Management in Hackensack, NJ seeks an Attorney/Senior Counsel to support property management operations. You will provide legal guidance on real estate transactions, landlord-tenant matters, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation across the portfolio.

This full-time, onsite role requires five days in the office and a proactive, detail-oriented approach. Ideal candidates have a JD with 7+ years in real estate law, in-house or property management experience, and strong drafting and

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• 7+ years of legal experience focused on real estate or landlord-tenant law.
• In-house or property management company experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of real estate and landlord-tenant law.
• Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to executive and property management leadership on day-to-day operations.
• Advise on landlord-tenant laws, lease enforcement, fair housing regulations, and eviction procedures.
• Draft, review, and negotiate leases, vendor agreements, and property-related documents.
• Develop and update standardized lease forms, policies, and legal templates.
• Manage legal aspects of property acquisitions, dispositions, and financing transactions.
• Oversee and manage litigation matters, including tenant disputes, evictions, and contract claims.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and manage legal budgets.
• Represent the organization in hearings or legal proceedings (when licensed).
• Ensure compliance with Fair Housing Act, ADA requirements, and local housing regulations.
• Monitor laws and train staff on compliance and risk mitigation.
• Partner with property management to resolve tenant issues and support collections.

Skills

Real estate law

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Litigation management

Landlord-tenant law

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Our team is seeking a business-minded Attorney/Senior Counsel to support our property management operations. This role will provide legal guidance on real estate transactions, landlord-tenant matters, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation across our portfolio. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and experienced in real estate law.

This is a full-time, onsite position that will require being in our office 5 days a week.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory

• Provide legal counsel to executive and property management leadership on day-to-day operations
• Advise on landlord-tenant laws, lease enforcement, fair housing regulations, and eviction procedures
• Interpret federal, state, and local real estate laws and ensure organizational compliance

Contract Management

• Draft, review, and negotiate leases, vendor agreements, service contracts, and property-related documents
• Develop and update standardized lease forms, policies, and legal templates
• Manage legal aspects of property acquisitions, dispositions, and financing transactions

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Oversee and manage litigation matters, including tenant disputes, evictions, and contract claims
• Coordinate with outside counsel as needed and manage legal budgets
• Represent the organization in administrative hearings or legal proceedings (if licensed and applicable)

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with Fair Housing Act, ADA requirements, and local housing regulations
• Monitor changes in laws affecting property management and implement updates to company policies
• Conduct internal audits and provide training on legal compliance and risk mitigation

Operational Support

• Partner with property management department to resolve tenant issues and operational challenges
• Support collections, lease enforcement, and dispute resolution strategies
• Provide legal input on insurance claims, liability issues, and risk exposure
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• 7+ years of legal experience, with a focus on real estate, property management, or landlord-tenant law
• Experience in an in-house role or representing property management companies preferred
• Strong knowledge of real estate and landlord-tenant law
• Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Salary: $200,000-$225,000 base

JP Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.