Associate General Counsel - Real Estate & Construction Attorney

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Associate General Counsel - Real Estate & Construction Attorney

Job Profile Title

Associate General Counsel

Job Description Summary

The Office of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine seeks a full-time Real Estate & Construction attorney to advise and provide legal support for the University, Penn Medicine, and its real estate subsidiaries regarding a broad range of real estate and construction matters, including real estate development, purchases and sales, leases and other matters. The attorney will be expected to advise and assist the University’s Senior Vice President for Facilities and Real Estate Services and her staff in developing and negotiating legal documents for construction and real estate transactions and attending to the business/legal details of such transactions including strategies to mitigate legal and financial risks.

Job Description

• LEASING: Prepare and negotiate  commercial leases including retail, office and laboratory leases as well as residential leases, easements and other real estate documents; provide advice to the University's real estate team in dealing with day‑to‑day landlord/tenant issues, property management concerns, and the interpretation of leases and other contractual documents; manage related litigation; draft and negotiate licenses and other similar agreements regarding the use of facilities in connection with sporting events, theatrical productions, food and merchandise vending, musical performances and other activities.

• DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION: Draft, negotiate, and administer construction-related agreements, including: general contractor agreements, design-build contracts, owner-contractor agreements, architect and engineering agreements, subcontract agreements, consultant agreements, advise project teams on contract compliance and risk management, analyze and negotiate change orders, claims, delay disputes, and project modifications, counsel stakeholders and manage litigation regarding construction defects, warranty issues, and performance disputes, review insurance requirements, bonds, indemnification provisions, and risk transfer mechanisms, and guide project teams through project closeout and warranty administration processes.

• ACQUISITION/DISPOSITIONS & DEVELOPMENT: Structure, negotiate, draft, and review purchase and sale agreements, ground leases, joint venture and partnership agreements for commercial, industrial, multifamily, mixed-use, retail, and residential properties. Conduct legal due diligence associated with acquisitions and development projects. Review and analyze title commitments, title policies, surveys, easements, encroachments, and restrictive covenants. Advise on property ownership structures, joint ventures, and investment arrangements. Prepare and negotiate financing documents, loan agreements, mortgage instruments, and security agreements. Coordinate real estate closings and post-closing obligations. Support portfolio management initiatives and strategic real estate investments.

• ZONING: Advise clients regarding zoning and building code issues and prepare, file and prosecute zoning and building code appeals. Advise clients regarding planning, permitting, environmental requirements, and land-use regulations. Represent clients before zoning boards, planning commissions, municipal authorities, and governmental agencies. Coordinate entitlements and approvals for development projects. Assess legal risks associated with development opportunities and site selection. Monitor regulatory changes that may impact development projects.

• UTILITIES/ENERGY: Provide advice regarding utility and energy matters; draft and negotiate utility agreements, renewable energy projects, power purchase agreements and other energy purchasing arrangements and related easements and documents.

• LEGAL COMPLIANCE: Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local real estate and construction laws. Monitor legal developments affecting real estate ownership, development, financing, environmental matters, and construction activities. Provide legal guidance regarding building codes, licensing requirements, environmental regulations, fair housing laws, ADA requirements. Advise clients as to real estate tax and transfer tax consequences of proposed transactional structures; file and prosecute, as appropriate, tax assessment and tax exemption applications and appeals. Develop and implement contract compliance programs and best practices.

• THIRD PARTY CONSULTANTS: Draft, negotiate and structure agreements with real estate brokers and other consultants involved in real estate management and transactions; manage and oversee the work of outside attorneys dealing with real estate and related issues.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Graduation from a recognized college or university; graduation from an ABA accredited law school with a J.D. degree; Must be admitted and in good standing in Pennsylvania. Minimum 5 years’ professional experience as a practicing real estate attorney. Familiarity with environmental law, especially laws and regulations relating to the management and abatement of environmental conditions affecting real estate, and familiarity with real estate related aspects of the bankruptcy code are a plus. This position requires a sophisticated understanding of both the legal and business aspects of real estate development and real estate transactions; precise analytical and reasoning skills; impeccable verbal and written communication skills, the ability to identify, frame, and resolve complicated and sensitive problems creatively and with professional discretion; and the ability to interact and function effectively both individually and as a team member in both an academic and a business environment.

• Demonstrated excellence in legal research, analysis and reasoning and drafting, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical advice.

• Impeccable oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present and advise various audiences in all areas and at all levels including senior leadership, and to tailor communications appropriately.

• Ability to identify, frame, and resolve complex and sensitive legal and operational issues, using sound judgement, creativity and discretion. Ability to interact and function effectively in both a higher education environment, as well as in an academic medical center setting.

• Strong legal writing, negotiation, and advisory skills, with a practical, solutions-oriented approach. Ability to manage sensitive matters with sound judgment and discretion. Experience working directly with executive leadership.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with high emotional intelligence and the ability to build credibility quickly across many different stakeholders.

• Demonstrated capacity to manage a high volume of complex work in a fast-paced environment, including the ability to prioritize, balance competing demands and concurrent matters, and respond in a timely and service-oriented manner for timely resolution of issues.

• Ability to work effectively in a decentralized, matrixed organization, navigating institutional structures and bringing the right stakeholders into discussions as appropriate.

• Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team while also leading initiatives and influencing outcomes without direct authority.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

President's Center

Pay Range

$152,625.00 - $263,917.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay