Sr Counsel Real Estate

Pilot Company; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) and FSAs

Employee fuel discount

Tuition reimbursement

Onsite gym and cafeteria

Weekly pay

Job summary

Pilot Company invites a Senior Counsel to lead the legal function for real estate, construction, and related operations. The role advises senior executives, manages complex transactions, and shapes strategy while ensuring regulatory compliance across the enterprise.

Based in Knoxville, TN, the position requires substantial experience in real estate law, strong leadership, and excellent negotiation and communication skills to mitigate risk and drive business objectives.

Qualifications

• JD required from an accredited institution.
• Bar admission in Tennessee or eligibility to register with the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners.
• 8+ years of real estate and/or construction legal experience.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate real estate contracts, leases, and related documents.
• Lead and manage the legal function for real estate, dealers, construction, and facilities.
• Advise senior executives on legal implications of strategic decisions.
• Oversee property use, zoning, environmental compliance, and title risk.
• Resolve high-stakes landlord-tenant and dealer disputes.
• Develop enterprise-wide policies for real estate lifecycle and compliance.
• Coordinate cross-functional legal support across departments.

Skills

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tennessee bar license

Real estate & construction experience

Contract drafting & review

Strategic leadership

Regulatory compliance

Legal team leadership

Negotiation

Executive advisory

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Job description

Job Description

The Knoxville,TN based Senior Counsel serves as a senior legal advisor and strategic leader, responsible for supporting the legal aspects of the company’s real estate portfolio, facility revenue team, dealer program, retail joint ventures and construction team. This role provides high-level counsel on complex transactions, development initiatives, and regulatory matters, while leading a team of legal professionals and collaborating with leadership to drive business objectives. The position plays a critical role in shaping strategy, managing legal risk, and ensuring compliance across the enterprise.

Essential Functions

1. Draft, review, and negotiate real estate contracts, lease agreements, purchase and sale agreements, easements, and related documents.
2. Lead and manage the legal function for real estate (United States and Canada), dealers, construction, environmental, utilities, facility revenue.
3. Serve as a strategic partner to senior executives, advising on legal implications of real estate decisions and business strategy.
4. Oversee legal risk management related to property use, construction, zoning, environmental compliance, and title issues.
5. Direct resolution of high-stakes disputes involving landlord-tenant relationships, dealer relationships, land use, and property rights.
6. Develop and implement enterprise-wide policies and procedures for real estate lifecycle management and compliance.
7. Lead cross-functional legal support for real estate, construction, facilities, finance, and operations teams.
8. Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement within the legal department.
9. Provide thought leadership on emerging legal trends and regulatory developments in real estate.
10. Build and lead a high-performing team ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
11. Set strategic direction for legal support of business teams.
12. Champion collaboration across departments to ensure legal consistency and operational efficiency.
13. Support legal team innovation in legal processes and technology adoption to improve service delivery and reduce risk.
14. Serve as a role model for ethical conduct, professionalism, and leadership within the organization.
15. Participate in executive-level decision-making and contribute to corporate governance as needed.
16. Provide support for other areas of the legal department as needed.
17. Complete other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Seeking candidates local to or willing to relocate to Knoxville, TN
• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited college or university, required.
• License to practice law in the state of Tennessee or registration with the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners if not licensed in the state of Tennessee.
• Minimum eight (8)+ years prior real estate and/or construction experience working in a law firm or other corporate legal setting is required.
• Strong business acumen
• Time management and ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment while working autonomously.
• Ability to draft, review and interpret complex documents.
• Critical thinking and ability to proactively identify potential problems and mitigate existing issues.
• Legal research capabilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to demonstrate confidence, professionalism and assertiveness in complex and challenging circumstances.
• Ability to think strategically.
• Ability to lead, organize, prioritize, and manage projects and teams effectively.
• No job is too big or too small.
• Excellent writing, negotiation, interpersonal and speaking skills.

Additional Information

Nation-wide Medical Plan/Dental/Vision

401(k) and Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Fuel Discount

Adoption Assistance

Tuition Reimbursement

Onsite Gym and Cafeteria

Weekly Pay

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines