Senior University Counsel (Real Estate)

Florida Bar Foundation the; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 175,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

The University seeks a Senior University Counsel (Real Estate) to provide strategic legal guidance on real estate, construction, and public finance matters across the campus. You will draft and negotiate leases, review development agreements, and advise on compliance with state and federal regulations.

Reporting to campus leadership, you will coordinate with offices across the University, DSOs, and outside counsel, manage multiple complex transactions, and deliver clear, practical legal advice

Qualifications

• Law degree (L.L.B. or J.D.) and seven years' experience; Florida Bar membership or eligibility within 12 months.
• Preferred: J.D. with 10+ years’ experience in real estate, governance and public higher education matters.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and client-service skills; ability to manage multiple projects under deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on real estate, construction, and public finance matters.
• Represent the University in real estate, construction, and public finance transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate leases and related agreements.
• Advise on corporate governance, ethics, and other higher education legal issues.
• Coordinate with internal offices and outside counsel on strategic projects.

Skills

Real estate law

Negotiation

Transactional law

Project management

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Written communication

Problem solving

Education

J.D. or LL.B.

Job description

Senior University Counsel

Job no: 541092

Work type: Staff Full-Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support, Legal/Audit Services/Compliance

Department: 22010000 - GN-MAIN CAMPUS

Classification Title: Senior University Counsel (Real Estate)

Classification Minimum Requirements: Law degree (L.L.B. or J.D.) and seven years' experience as an attorney. Must be a member of the Florida Bar or become a member within twelve months of employment.

Job Description

Provides legal advice and counseling to University clients regarding the full spectrum of real estate, construction, and public finance issues, including:

• -Advising on real estate, construction, and public finance matters, including purchase and sale of property, use of space, leases, land use, construction, land development/planning, and financing.
• -Advising clients during strategic/transaction/project management related decision-making processes.
• -Advising on and assisting with the development and modification of agreement templates, regulations, policies, standard operating procedures, protocols, best practices, training, guidance, and communications.
• -Advising on compliance with relevant state and federal laws applicable to universities and entities receiving federal and state funding, including University regulations and policies and those of other governing authorities, including Board of Governors regulations and federal and state agency opinion letters and guidance.
• -Identifying and assessing legal risks, opportunities and relevant changes or emerging trends within the real estate, construction and public finance areas and advise accordingly.
• -Working closely with real estate, construction and public finance related clients, including administrators and staff in the University’s Office of Real Estate; the Office of the Chief Financial Officer; the Office of Construction, Facilities & Real Estate; Planning, Design & Construction; Facilities Services; Business Affairs; the Health Centers; the Provost’s Office; the Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences; University colleges; and University direct support organizations and other affiliates.
• -Providing training to clients and stakeholders on legal compliance, policies, and procedures.

Represent the University in real estate, construction, and public finance transactions, including:

• -Managing all aspects of assigned real estate, construction, and public finance transactions, including research, drafting, reviewing, editing, negotiating, and coordination with outside counsel and consultants on strategic projects.
• -Drafting and negotiating leases for various University units, including related amendments, estoppels, non-disturbance agreements, letters, and supporting the Office of Real Estate in operational matters arising thereunder.
• -Reviewing and negotiating agreements for the financing, construction, renovation, remodeling, maintenance, and repair of University property, including contract administration and interpretation.
• -Conducting research as needed for real estate, construction, and public finance matters.
• -Participating as an advisor to relevant boards, committees and tasks forces of the University, its direct support organizations (DSOs), and affiliates.
• -Managing relationships with and activities of relevant governmental entities and third parties, as well as outside law firms retained to represent the University.

Advise and represent the University in other legal matters as assigned in such transactional matters as corporate governance, ethics, and other legal issues common to higher education.

Expected Salary

$175,000-$195,000

Required Qualifications

Law degree (L.L.B. or J.D.) and seven years' experience as an attorney. Must be a member of the Florida Bar or become a member within twelve months of employment.

Preferred

Experienced attorney requiring demonstrated proficiency and experience in legal, operational, and governance matters of a large organization. Law degree (J.D.) and at least ten (10) years’ experience as an attorney, with the majority of that experience focused in the real estate sector.

• -Experience advising clients on matters common to public higher education institutions or other public entities.
• -Significant transactional experience focused on real estate, particularly related to complex development, construction, financing, or leasing matters.
• -Experience working in a law firm environment or mid to large sized public university legal department with an emphasis on providing high-quality client-focused service.
• -Good project manager who can bring various constituencies and stakeholders together to complete projects timely and efficiently.
• -Exceptional organizational skills.
• -Team player who is comfortable with a dynamic and changing environment and who emphasizes collaboration and team performance over management hierarchy.
• -Ability to manage numerous projects and cases simultaneously under tight deadlines while maintaining a good sense of humor and positive attitude.
• -Skilled oral and written communicator, particularly related to the ability to draft clear, concise legal documents.
• -Creative thinker with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to stay calm under challenging circumstances.

Health Assessment Required

No

Advertised: 25 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 22 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time