Counsel

Clarion Partners has been a leading real estate investment manager for over 40 years. Headquartered in New York, the firm maintains strategically located offices across the United States and Europe. Clarion Partners offers a broad range of real estate strategies across the risk/return spectrum to approximately 500 institutional investors across the globe. Clarion Partners operates independently as a Specialist Investment Manager owned by Franklin Templeton (FT), a diversified firm that spans asset management, wealth management, and fintech, giving us many ways to help investors make progress toward their goals.

The role, part of Clarion’s Legal and Compliance Department, reports directly to the Managing Director and ultimately to Clarion’s General Counsel and CCO.  The key responsibilities involve supporting the company’s commercial real estate investment platform, and overall regulatory requirements of our SEC-regulated US investment adviser and broker-dealer, more specifically:

•    Provide legal advice with respect to formation, structuring and operations of U.S. and offshore private equity funds and Investment Company Act registered funds  
•    Draft and negotiate fund organizational and offering documents, distribution agreements, etc. 
•    Draft and negotiate additional investment documents including joint venture operating agreements, limited partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements, subscription agreements, investment management agreements, advisory and sub-advisory agreements, separately managed account agreements and side letters (including negotiations with sovereign wealth funds, pension plans, banks, wirehouses, broker-dealers and other institutional counterparties)
•    Review marketing materials and corporate communications
•    Manage internal corporate governance deliverables such as legal entity tracking, maintenance of corporate books and records, and monitoring of regulatory compliance
•    Negotiate and draft vendor, confidentiality and other agreements related to the firm’s investment advisory business
•    Advise business units on ongoing compliance with securities laws, including the Investment Advisers Act, Investment Company Act, Securities Act, Securities Exchange Act, and tax and ERISA issues
•    Advise on regulatory compliance issues and support the compliance team in maintaining policies and procedures within each business unit for the firm, and responding to regulatory inquiries from the SEC, FINRA, etc.
•    Act as a business partner and demonstrate expert and practical commercial understanding

REQUIREMENTS:
•    Bachelor’s degree from a top US university 
•    Juris Doctorate (Law) degree from a top US law school
•    5+ years of experience in the investment management or real estate practice group of an AM 100 law firm; or 2+ years at a law firm and comparable in-house experience at a major investment bank or financial services firm
•    Excellent drafting and negotiation skills
•    Familiarity with private equity fund structuring and/or real estate investment management issues. Additional familiarity with private wealth products (Investment Company Act registered funds, non-traded REITs, BDCs, HNW feeders, etc.) is a plus, but not required 
•    Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision, and to work directly with the Firm’s General Counsel, Senior Counsel and senior business team 
•    Effective risk management skills and knowledge
•    Excellent judgment in dealing with legal, compliance and risk issues
•    Strong solution-oriented interpersonal skills 
•    Excellent organizational skills 
•    Energetic, positive team player

If based in New York, the base salary range for this position is USD $200,00.00 - $250,00.00. Actual base salary offered will be determined by several components including but not limited to the candidate's experience, job-related knowledge, and qualifications. Base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits offered in connection with the advertised role. Total compensation may vary based on role, location, and individual performance. For roles located outside of Chicago, please disregard the posted salary range as these roles will follow a separate compensation process based on the local market.