Legal Counsel

About the role

The Cleveland Foundation seeks a sophisticated corporate counsel to serve as a strategic legal advisor, providing counsel on complex real estate transactions, development initiatives, nonprofit governance, and regulatory matters. This role partners across the organization to structure and execute mission-aligned projects, manage legal risk, and support the Foundation’s efforts to strengthen communities through transformative real estate and philanthropic investments.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate outside legal counsel relationships in a cost-effective manner, serving as lead in-house legal counsel on real estate acquisitions, dispositions, land assemblage, joint ventures, development projects, and strategic property transactions.
• Handle internal legal requirements of Real Estate, environmental liability, and overall general corporate governance.
• Review outside legal expenses and provide guidance in preparing legal department budgets.
• Cultivate productive relationships with community partners, public agencies, developers, lenders, and external counsel.
• Support and/or assist in legal due diligence, including title examinations, surveys, environmental reports, zoning reviews, organizational documents, and closing materials.
• Draft, review, and manage purchase agreements, leases, easements, financing agreements, development agreements, construction management at risk agreements, construction-related contracts, architect of record and related transaction documents.
• Provide legal guidance regarding zoning, land use, permitting, entitlements, and public approvals.
• Support representation of the Foundation in real estate closings, disputes, litigation management, and administrative proceedings as needed.
• Support property tax exemption matters and tax-exempt property ownership structures; handle DTE tax exemption filings and follow up on property tax refunds by parcel.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational risks associated with Foundation activities.
• Provide practical legal counsel supporting Foundation initiatives in neighborhood development, community investment, and economic development.
• Be a strategic business partner with Finance, Real Estate, Human Resources, Philanthropy, and external stakeholders to develop legally compliant solutions to grow and strengthen our impact in the community.
• Maintain awareness of evolving legislation and regulatory developments affecting nonprofit organizations and real estate operations.
• Mentor and oversee paralegals, legal assistants, and external legal resources as appropriate.
• Collaborate effectively across departments to ensure timely and successful completion of strategic initiatives and operational requests.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on legal matters impacting organizational strategy and operations.

General Competencies

• Judgment
• Communication
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Problem-Solving

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Ohio, or ability to obtain Ohio licensure within a reasonable period of time.
• Minimum of 5–8 years of progressively responsible legal experience in real estate law, commercial transactions, economic development, nonprofit law, or a related practice area.
• Strong knowledge of real estate transactions, title insurance, commercial leasing, financing, land use, zoning, and development agreements.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit law, tax-exempt organizations, charitable giving structures, and corporate governance principles.
• Experience drafting, negotiating, and managing complex legal agreements.
• Experience managing outside counsel and complex cross-functional projects.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Advanced legal research, writing, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Co-Counsel, Agiloft and legal technology applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large-scale real estate development or community development initiatives.
• Experience with tax-exempt financing, public-private partnerships, New Markets Tax Credits, Opportunity Zones, or similar financing structures.
• Familiarity with property tax exemption matters and governmental incentive programs.
• Prior experience working with a nonprofit, foundation, healthcare organization, public entity, or mission-driven institution.
• Assist in supporting internal legal requirements of charitable tax gift acceptance, and other legal needs.

Work Environment

Professional office-based environment with regular collaboration across Finance, executive leadership, committees, external advisors, investment managers, donors, and community partners. Role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to time-sensitive requests, and occasionally represent the Foundation in industry, investment, and philanthropic forums.