Senior Associate Counsel – Real Estate

About the Role

The Senior Associate Counsel – Real Estate is an experienced in-house attorney who provides sophisticated legal support across The Garrett Companies' real estate development, acquisitions, financing, and corporate operations. This role serves as a senior legal resource within the team, handling complex transactional and advisory matters with a high degree of independence. The Senior Associate Counsel works closely with the General Counsel and serves as a mentor and resource to Associate Counsel, helping to elevate the overall capabilities and output of the Legal team.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex real estate and corporate agreements, including purchase and sale agreements, development agreements, construction contracts, operating agreements, joint venture documents, and financing documents.
• Manage and support real estate transactions from contract execution through closing, coordinating with internal teams, outside counsel, lenders, investors, and title companies.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to business teams on a wide range of transactional, regulatory, and compliance matters.
• Conduct and oversee legal due diligence for acquisitions and development projects, including title review, survey analysis, zoning, and land-use matters, environmental issues, restrictive covenants, organizational documents, leases, contracts, and other property-level matters.
• Assist the General Counsel in managing outside counsel relationships and legal spend.
• Develop and maintain standard form agreements, legal templates, and internal playbooks to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Support the Property Management and Asset Management teams on legal matters involving leases, property operations, vendor agreements, compliance issues, resident-related matters, and other portfolio-level concerns.
• Mentor and support Associate Counsel in the development of their legal skills and professional growth.
• Assist the General Counsel in identifying, evaluating, and mitigating legal risks across the company’s real estate portfolio and business units.
• Stay current on relevant changes in real estate, construction, and corporate law and proactively advise leadership on implications.
• Support the Investments Committee and executive team on deal structuring and new business initiatives as needed.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school; active bar membership in good standing required.
• Minimum 5–8 years of legal experience in real estate, corporate, or transactional law, with in-house or law firm experience.
• Strong background in commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, development, and financing.
• Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters independently with strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sound business judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretion.

Core Values

• Living Our Core Values: Consistently demonstrates and upholds our Core Values in all actions, decisions, and interactions.
• Ownership & Accountability: Takes full responsibility for outcomes and follows through to deliver results.
• Growth Mindset: Seeks feedback, embraces development, and continuously improves.
• Positive & Solution-Oriented: Approaches challenges with a constructive attitude and a focus on solutions.
• Strong Communication: Listens to understand, communicates clearly, and ensures alignment across teams.
• Relentless Problem Solving: Demonstrates urgency, resourcefulness, and persistence in resolving challenges.
• Strategic Thinking & Anticipation: Thinks ahead, proactively identifying risks, opportunities, and next steps.
• Team-First Mentality: Supports the team at all levels, no task is beneath the role. We are all broom-pushers.
• Continuous Improvement: Challenges the status quo and seeks better, more efficient ways to operate.
• Commitment to Excellence: Sets high standards and consistently delivers quality work.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to traverse property and facility.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Training and Development

• Garrett Companies Onboarding Program in Indianapolis.
• Ongoing training through membership to professional organizations and continuing education supported by The Garrett Companies.
• Company-specific training.