General Counsel

JOB TITLE: General Counsel

DEPARTMENT: Corporate Services

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried

About the Role

This role is responsible for the overall management of the company’s legal department, including but not limited to acquisitions, financing, development, construction, leasing, operations, joint venture arrangements, corporate governance, and risk mitigation. You will be responsible for the oversight and management of all Weston Inc. legal matters, including litigation and collection matters and those matters handled by outside counsel.

What You Will Do

• Accountable for all legal aspects of company’s real estate, construction, development, leasing, acquisition, and disposition activities, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions; creation and administration of partnerships and syndications.
• Responsible for entire commercial real estate acquisitions process including letter of intent and purchase agreement drafting/negotiation, due diligence management and the closing of transactions.
• Responsible for all commercial financing transactions including commitment/term sheet negotiation, due diligence management, all public incentive documentation & negotiation, negotiation of loan documentation and closing.
• Draft and negotiate all lease agreements with commercial tenants, including renewals, extensions, and expansion documents. Work closely with in-house leasing department to manage all commercial tenant relationships.
• Advise ownership, senior management and business executives regarding risk management, regulatory compliance, operational and strategic issues, as well as wide variety of other legal issues.
• Strategize, draft, and implement policies and procedures to mitigate corporate risk exposure and streamline operations.
• Periodic review and updating of the company’s legal templates.
• Ability to review and opine upon title commitments, surveys, and all closing documents.
• Documentation preparation for real estate property tax appeals; support of outside counsel handling same.
• Responsible for all corporate governance activities including but not limited to maintenance of current corporate record books (i.e., drafting of resolutions, minutes, and various State filings), formation of new single purpose entities for new properties, as well as merging and dissolution of SPEs no longer needed. Ensure all documents are stored and on the company’s intranet.
• Selection, retention, and supervision of outside counsel as needed and in-house legal support. Ability to negotiate and retain third party vendors necessary for various deals (i.e. title companies, surveyors, environmental companies, and other legal firms).
• Responsible for all other contract negotiations, drafting and review including but not limited to those relating to environmental matters, easements/rights of way, state and local development plans, mechanics’ liens, and construction/development.
• Assist and facilitate with the drafting, negotiation, and documentation of private placement memorandums, equity raises and associated appropriate documents (e.g., Offering Memorandums).
• Manage 1031 Exchange Process.
• Manage and update Corporate Structure through Entity Keeper.
• Responsible for the management of all collection litigations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

• Excellent contract negotiation skills
• Strong management and supervisory skills and the ability to lead through influence with the highest ethical standards
• Energetic, creative, and forward thinking
• A strategic visionary with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgement, and strong operational focus
• Well organized and a team player
• In-depth emotional intelligence: behavioral maturity, demonstrated trust and integrity, high ethical standards, interpersonal competence, and the ability to prevent, reduce and resolve conflict
• Excellent communication skills and the demonstrated ability to present material orally or in writing in an articulate and concise manner
• In-depth decision making and negotiating skills; demonstrated ability to recognize alternatives, evaluate relevant information and make timely decisions
• Must have the ability to develop and implement consistent processes and procedures
• Strong understanding of an organization with a long-term strategy focused on multi-generational stewardship
• Excellent skills with Microsoft Office Suite
• Stays current on emerging technologies and proactively embraces the evolving impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the legal and business landscape

Education and Experience

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school and licensed in the state of Ohio; Be sure to reference GoInhouse.com in your application
• Minimum ten (10) years’ relevant work experience in the areas of commercial real estate, corporate and financing law, as well as construction, environmental, and related matters
• Notary Public – Ohio

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• This role primarily operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to lift, carry, or push/pull up to (15) pounds.
• This is a full-time position. Days of work are Monday through Friday. This position may require longer hours and occasional weekend work as job duties demand.

At Weston, Inc., we foster a dynamic and collaborative work environment where everyone is valued and respected. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees. Discrimination or harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic is strictly prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

This extends to all aspects of employment, including hiring, recruitment, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Our hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.