Vice President, Assistant General Counsel Real Estate

Company Description

Since opening our first self-storage facility in 1972, Public Storage has grown to become the largest owner and operator of self-storage facilities in the world. With thousands of locations across the U.S. and Europe, and more than 170 million net rentable square feet of real estate, we're also one of the largest landlords.

We've been recognized as A Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute. And, our employees have also voted us as having Best Career Growth, ranked us in the Top 5% for Work Culture, and in the Top 10% for Diversity and Inclusion.

We're a member of the S&P 500 and FT Global 500. Our common and preferred stocks trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

Job Description

The Vice President, Assistant General Counsel (Real Estate) will work with the real estate acquisition, development, property management, construction, and commercial leasing teams, providing legal analysis, advice, transaction leadership, and support. He/she will be experienced at handling property acquisitions (from letter of intent through closing), real estate development and redevelopment, property management agreements, and commercial leasing. This position is an integral part of the deal making process where business sense will be as important as legal acumen. 

The ideal candidate will have strong academic credentials and over 12 years of relevant private practice and in-house experience. He/she will be an experienced and business-minded real estate lawyer, a strong and decisive negotiator, an efficient multi-tasker, and a skilled people and project manager. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drafting, negotiating, reviewing, and revising a wide range of legal documents, including: real estate agreements (including purchase and sale agreements, easements, CC&Rs, construction contracts, leases (cell, billboard, retail, ground), property management agreements, access agreements, subordination, and non-disturbance agreements, etc.), vendor and service provider contracts, corporate authority documentation (LLC agreements, certificates, consents, etc.), and various other documents and agreements relevant to the Company’s business. Experience with joint venture agreements, mortgage financing, and various other real estate related relationships a plus. 
• Coordinating real estate acquisition processes for storage facility and development deals, including: (a) negotiating purchase and sale agreements from letter of intent through execution, (b) performing and supervising due diligence activities, including title, survey, zoning, and environmental diligence, (c) developing and implementing practical solutions to any issues raised during due diligence in consultation with the business team, (d) overseeing the closing process, and (e) working with the relevant business teams to assist in the transition of property ownership and management.
• Assisting with the Company’s development and redevelopment activities, including: (a) due diligence, (b) document review and negotiation, (c) managing entitlement processes, and (d) troubleshooting land use issues and disputes. 
• Negotiating third-party property management agreements and ancillary documentation. Coordinating with the relevant business teams on closing management deals and handling post-closing management issues and questions as they arise. Overseeing broker licensing issues.
• Managing on-going and non-crisis environmental matters affecting the company.
• Assisting in-house clients in resolving disputes with adverse parties (public agencies, customers, vendors, etc.) by analyzing the underlying facts, identifying resolution options, negotiating with adverse parties, and documenting resolution of the dispute, as needed.
• Managing potential and actual takings of the Company’s property interests by public agencies. Negotiating with agencies to reduce the impact of takings on properties and increase the compensation received with respect to any interests actually taken. 
• Managing and overseeing the efficient use of outside counsel as appropriate in connection with the foregoing activities. 
• Reporting to senior management regarding team activity and outside counsel expenditures.

Qualifications

• J.D from an accredited law school required. Strong academic credentials preferred. 
• Over 12 years of legal experience as a real estate attorney focused on acquisitions and dispositions, development and redevelopment, third property management, leasing, and general real estate due diligence. 
• Combination of both large law firm experience preferred and in-house experience strongly preferred.  
• Current member in good standing with a state Bar and ability to secure a registered in-house counsel license in Texas
• Strong business acumen with an understanding of the industry, the company’s business model and objectives, coupled with practical, business-minded problem solving. 
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing high performing teams
• Excellent interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills. 
• Strong organizational skills, with ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple requests. 
• Demonstrated responsiveness and commitment to clients. 
• Superior subject-matter expertise.  
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage internal and external support (attorneys, paralegals, consultants, etc.). 
• High-level of discretion, maturity and ethical integrity. 
• Process-minded - respect for existing processes but always with an eye toward identifying efficiencies and refinements. 
• Ability to work and coordinate across business units with an eye toward the bigger picture. 
• Results-oriented, with getting results being more important than getting it right. 
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational needs and business environments. 
• Personable, with demonstrated success in developing effective relationships with team members 
• Proven track record in team management and leadership 
• Experience in fast-paced high volume environment; work well under pressure 
• Experience with national footprint, multiple jurisdictions and large portfolio transactions highly desired 

Additional Information

Workplace

• One of our values pillars is to work as OneTeam and we believe that there is no replacement for in-person collaboration but understand the value of some flexibility. Public Storage teammates are expected to work in the office five days each week with the option to take up to three flexible remote days per month.
  • Our office is based in Plano, east of I75 near E. Park Blvd, just North of Historic Downtown Plano.

Public Storage is an equal opportunity employer and embraces diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

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