Associate Counsel

Associate Counsel

Douglas Elliman is looking for a business-minded attorney to join its small, highly engaged legal team. This is an expansive in-house role with meaningful responsibility from day one, direct access to senior leadership, and the opportunity to advise a fast-moving national real estate business on issues that matter in real time. Practical experience and judgment matter more than pedigree. The company is in a period of significant growth and innovation, and the right candidate will have a significant role in these exciting initiatives. 

The Opportunity

• Serve as counsel to Douglas Elliman’s U.S. operations across the United States, with the business continuing to expand internationally.
• Work across a wide range of matters, including brokerage operations, litigation, contracts, employment, regulatory/compliance, risk management and strategic business initiatives.
• Advise a business supporting thousands of agents nationwide.
• Work directly with senior leadership and partner closely with Marketing, HR, Finance, Operations and other business teams.
• Join a public company with an established national brand, while working in an environment that is entrepreneurial, fast-moving and highly collaborative.
• Gain significant exposure and responsibility in a legal department where legal is viewed as a business partner, not simply a control function.

Who We’re Looking For

• Approximately 3–6 years of relevant legal experience.
• Strong residential real estate brokerage law experience preferred.
• Practical experience and judgment matter more than pedigree; BigLaw experience is not required.
• A strong communicator who can distill legal issues into clear, practical advice.
• Someone comfortable making decisions, taking ownership and operating with a high degree of independence.
• Able to manage multiple matters at once and thrive in a fast-paced, responsive environment.
• Strong litigation/dispute-resolution, drafting and negotiation skills.
• Curious about the business and interested in working closely with agents, managers and senior leadership.
• Prior real estate paralegal experience may also be valuable.
• Innovative and creative thinker.

What You’ll Do

• Advise on day-to-day brokerage matters, including listings, buyer representation, commissions and referrals, MLS/NAR issues, licensing, advertising, fair housing and consumer protection.
• Manage litigation, arbitrations, subpoenas, regulatory matters and consumer complaints, including working directly with outside counsel and developing strategy.
• Draft and negotiate commercial, brokerage, employment, settlement and other agreements.
• Advise on employment and independent contractor matters, agent recruiting and compensation, policies and internal investigations.
• Help the business solve problems quickly and pragmatically, with a strong focus on keeping transactions and strategic initiatives moving.

Schedule

• 5 days per week in the office initially.

Compensation

• $175,000–$220,000 base, depending on experience.
• Discretionary bonus.