Corporate Counsel

Are you looking for an opportunity to define your future in the commercial real estate industry based on your own unique skills and experience?

At Berkadia, we are committed to a culture that strives for excellence – a place where your contributions are valued, you are empowered to create positive impact, and you can grow your career. Be Your Best Self. Be Berkadia. 

The Corporate Counsel is a key legal advisor responsible for providing guidance to all the company’s business lines and corporate departments.   This role will navigate the interconnections between complex legal issues and the company’s various business activities and objectives supporting critical strategic initiatives.  The Corporate Counsel will collaborate closely with senior leaders to drive the organization forward, focusing on legal standards and business outcomes, while ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.    

We Innovate to shape the future of CRE, so in this role you will:

• Provide strategic legal advice and innovative solutions to support Berkadia’s lending, investment sales and servicing businesses, as well as various corporate support functions (including HR, IT, Transformation and Finance). Proactively problem-solve and address emerging issues in real time so the business can meet its objectives and minimize risk and friction.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior management and other colleagues within the organization, proactively engaging in business issues and risk assessment.  
• Draft, review, and approve policies, procedure, and legal documents related to lending, investment sales, servicing, HR, IT, Transformation and Finance. 
• Provide legal guidance and support to Berkadia’s HR teams for onboarding and offboarding, employee relations and performance matters, incentive programs, and training and development programs. 
• Provide support to the company’s Finance department with respect to lines of credit extended to the company, commercial paper and other capital/liquidity sources. 
• Review and negotiate company vendor and technology contracts, confidentiality agreements, mortgage financing applications and engagement letters, investment sales listing agreements, and help resolve related issues, such as fee disputes and contracts compliance matters. 
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, ensuing alignment with company policies and industry standards, including real estate mortgage origination and servicing and investment sales brokerage requirements, as well as managing the maintenance of the company’s corporate records and filings. 
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop and implement strategies that enhance operational efficiency and legal compliance.  
• Identify and mitigate legal and business risks associated with strategic initiatives, providing guidance on potential disputes and resolutions.  
• Manage relationships with external counsel and other stakeholders to ensure effective legal representation and advice and cost/expense management.  
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes in real estate lending, brokerage and licensing, employment, intellectual property and other relevant laws and industry practices that could impact the company’s business. 
• Provide training and guidance to other departments on legal standards and best practices related to real estate lending, brokerage and licensing, employment, intellectual property and other relevant laws and industry practices. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

We are passionate about your growth, so to achieve success in this role you should have: 

• Deep understanding of federal, state, and local regulations and compliance requirements related generally to typical corporate counsel issues and specifically to real estate finance and brokerage. 
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, capable of effectively managing relationships with various stakeholders and resolving complex legal and business issues. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify legal risks and develop strategic solutions that most effectively facilitate the company’s business operations and objectives.
• Master's degree or equivalent​ 
• ​​5+ years of experience in a similar position​ 
• Juris Doctorate Degree 
• Actively licensed in good standing to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.  

We believe People Matter, so we offer benefits that go beyond:

• Monthly paid volunteer hours and donation matching to benefit our communities 
• Employee Resource Groups that help you grow with us
• Fertility and family planning services  
• Up to 12-weeks of fully paid parental leave   
• Mental health care, including free counseling sessions:  
• We'll help you fund your learning journey with generous tuition reimbursement 
• Pet insurance discounts 
• And more! 

Be Your Best Self. Be Berkadia. 

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Berkadia, as an equal opportunity employer, celebrates our employees’ unique differences, which we believe drives personal and company-wide innovation and creates a people-first culture where your career can take the long view. To achieve these goals, we are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals, without regard to race, religion, age, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partner status, military and veteran status, disability, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state and local laws.   

In keeping with our commitment, Berkadia takes the necessary steps to provide a workplace free from harassment and discrimination, as well as access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation to take part in the interview process, please contact talentacquisition@berkadia.com.

You have rights under Federal and State employment laws. No question in this Application is intended to elicit information in violation of any such law, nor will any information obtained in response to any question be used in violation of any such law. If you apply for this role, you are acknowledging Berkadia's Application Policy and Berkadia's Privacy Policy. Please click the following links for more information about: EEOC, Employee Rights under the FMLA, EPPA.