Associate General Counsel

Description

Driftwood Capital is a vertically integrated commercial real estate investment, development, and lending platform, specializing in hospitality. The principals of Driftwood Capital boast a 30+ year track record transacting on more than $5 billion in hospitality assets through various affiliated management and ownership entities. All Driftwood Capital funds benefit from the principals’ affiliation with Driftwood Hospitality Management (“DHM”), among the largest private hotel management companies in the United States.

Driftwood Capital is seeking a 4–6-year commercial real estate attorney to join its in-house legal team. This role will focus primarily on acquisitions, development, financing, and asset management matters across multiple private equity real estate funds. The position offers significant responsibility and direct exposure to senior leadership.

The ideal candidate trained in a sophisticated real estate transactional practice group and has meaningful experience independently drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements and financing documents.

The Associate General Counsel will work closely with the General Counsel, SVP & Deputy General Counsel, senior executives, and outside counsel on a broad range of real estate and fund-related matters.

Job Functions/Responsibilities: 

• Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements and related transaction documents
• Manage and coordinate transaction diligence, including title and survey review
• Draft and negotiate development agreements, joint venture agreements, co-GP arrangements, and related project documentation
• Support financing transactions, including construction loans, mezzanine debt, preferred equity, and fund-level facilities
• Assist with asset management matters, including property management agreements, hotel management agreements, leasing matters, and amendments
• Oversee transaction closings and coordinate with outside counsel and internal teams
• Support private fund capital raises in coordination with outside securities counsel
• Assist with preparation and review of offering materials and related Regulation D filings
• Draft and negotiate investor side letters and related agreements
• Support fund-level structuring matters, including capital calls and co-investment arrangements
• Prepare and maintain corporate records and transaction documentation
• Assist with SEC and regulatory compliance matters relating to Driftwood’s affiliated registered investment adviser
• Prepare materials and minutes for investment committee and advisory board meetings
• Review investor communications and marketing materials for legal risk and accuracy
• Draft and maintain routine in-house legal documents, including leases, occupancy agreements, advisory agreements, management agreements, and related contracts
• Liaise with outside counsel on litigation and adversarial proceedings arising from property-level matters
• Supervise and delegate work to in-house support staff as appropriate
• Undertake special projects and initiatives as directed by the General Counsel

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Active Florida Bar membership (or willingness to sit for the Florida Bar)
• 4–6 years of experience in a sophisticated commercial real estate practice
• Significant experience drafting and negotiating purchase agreements and loan documents
• Experience with joint ventures and private equity real estate structures preferred
• Hospitality real estate experience a plus
• Strong analytical, drafting, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple transactions and prioritize effectively
• High level of professional judgment, accountability, and ownership
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Common sense and accountability are of the utmost importance

Driftwood Capital is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Driftwood Capital are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.