VP, Senior Counsel Retail

Schnitzer Properties, a dynamic 75-year-old real estate company, is aggressively expanding its 31 million square foot portfolio of properties through $1 billion of industrial development properties and acquisitions in six Western states. Because of this growth, we are looking to add a Vice President, Senior Counsel to help build on this success. This is a fabulous opportunity to work with the best and the brightest in commercial real estate! We want all new positions to be filled with individuals who are driven by excellence and looking for a long-term career. In 75 years, Schnitzer Properties has never had a default or missed a payment to anyone!

We have offices in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Las Vegas, San Diego, Phoenix, and Tucson. Our staff of almost 270 professionals are nearly all long term and are prepared to work for a company that has a family first philosophy – meaning your family always comes first and your Schnitzer Properties family is always there to support you. 

The Vice President, Senior Counsel for our Retail Department will provide legal guidance and support to the Company and its respective teams in connection with all facets of its business including but not limited to leasing, property management, development, acquisitions, and finance in connection with all retail properties in the Company’s portfolio.

Essential Functions/Tasks:

• Provide legal support for leasing, property management, acquisitions, finance, and other departments as needed.
• Negotiate and draft letters of intent, leases, exhibits, amendments, assignments, termination agreements, licenses, SNDAs, estoppels and any other necessary legal documentation.
• Assist with negotiations of leases and other agreements with tenants and vendors.
• Draft and negotiate amendments to existing CCRs, easements and other recorded documents on retail properties as necessary.
• Review existing leases and update lease provisions.
• Assist with retail leasing matters including preparing legal abstracts, outlining and tracking critical dates, and updating leases.
• Assist property managers with lease disputes with tenants.
• Communicate frequently with SVP – Retail and AVP, Retail Leasing on prioritizing legal work.
• Regularly update templates to improve provisions and ensure compliance with laws.
• Assist with acquisitions of retail properties including reviewing leases, creating legal abstracts, and drafting memos outlining critical issues with existing leases.
• Assist with Legal Department needs.

Experience, Training, Skills Required:

• Minimum 10 years practicing commercial real estate law, specifically with retail properties, with thorough understanding of contract/finance law and real estate transactions (acquisitions, leasing, financing, and property management).
• Experience in drafting documents and agreements related to the real estate industry.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex lease clauses.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to handle heavy workload and shift priorities on a regular basis.
• Draft complete, concise and high quality written legal documents.

License or Certificate Required:

• Admission to and in good standing with the Oregon State Bar.

Education:

• Juris Doctor Degree. 
• Bachelors Degree.

Travel Requirements:

• Limited travel to properties or regional offices may be required.

Schnitzer Properties offer a full benefits package with medical, dental, vision, 401k, and FSA options as well as vacation, sick, and holiday pay.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.