Our client, a publicly held Real Estate Investment Trust with $1B+ in AUM, is seeking a General Counsel to join their team. This role presents an exciting opportunity for an attorney with robust experience with REITs, regulatory filings, and residential mortgages to take on a visible leadership position. The new hire will be responsible for overseeing all legal matters, public filings, and regulatory compliance while working closely with executive leadership.
Key Points:
- Firm has an extensive track record of strong investment performance in the residential mortgage space.
- Leadership role as the firm consolidates legal functions under one leader, reducing reliance on external counsel.
- Direct exposure to executive leadership and the board in a highly visible, impactful role.
- Hybrid work model (New Jersey-based, two days in-office per week).
- Strong preference for candidates with Big Law to REIT experience or Big Law serving REITs, particularly those familiar with public filings and residential mortgage regulations.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee all trading, risk management, and compliance legal matters, including contract negotiations and internal policy revisions.
- Manage SEC and NYSE filings, including 10-Qs, 10-Ks, proxy statements, and investor disclosures.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks, internal policies, and external audits.
- Lead all corporate governance matters, including board meeting preparation, resolutions, and restricted stock agreements.
- Support capital markets activities, including financing documents, MSR bid letters, and at-the-market offerings.
- Oversee legal aspects of shareholder communications, annual meetings, and investor relations materials.
- Manage and consolidate outside counsel relationships, reducing legal costs and improving efficiency.
Qualifications:
- 8+ years post-JD experience, ideally from Big Law or in-house at a REIT or residential mortgage firm.
- Extensive experience with public filings, mortgage-backed securities, and residential mortgage regulations.
- Strong understanding of SEC, NYSE, and mortgage-related compliance frameworks.
- Experience handling public company filings, risk oversight, and corporate governance matters.
- Proven ability to lead and consolidate legal functions within a growing organization.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
Compensation Expectations: $300-500K base; $500K-$750K all-in