Vice President, Private Real Estate Attorney

Job Title: Vice President, Private Real Estate Attorney

Department: Legal & Compliance

Reports To: Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Private Real Estate

FLSA Code: Exempt

Estimated Salary: $265,000 - $300,000

Job Summary:

Primary responsibility is to provide legal counsel for the private real estate business of Cohen & Steers, an SEC registered investment adviser and NYSE listed public company. Specific duties will include transactional support for property acquisitions and dispositions, including joint ventures and related financing arrangements, as well as legal guidance and filings related to the governance and statutory framework applicable to private fund and non-traded REIT vehicles. General duties will include assisting the team on contract review and negotiation covering platform and selling agreements and partnering with Compliance to ensure all regulatory requirements are met. The position will augment the legal support capabilities for the firm’s private real estate business and report directly to the private real estate legal team leader. Cohen & Steers is committed to an inclusive culture, valuing diversity in support of our people and clients.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:

• Work as part of a team and independently, assisting on all private real estate transactions, including:

  • Handle complex private real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions and joint ventures formed on behalf of the Cohen & Steers investing entities involving all real estate investment sectors, including retail and open air community centers, office, multifamily, mixed-use, medical office, industrial, hospitality, senior housing and student housing.
  • Perform legal and regulatory transactional due diligence on real estate managers and sponsors
  • Draft and negotiate term sheets, loan documentation, purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, property management agreements, leasing agreements, and other transaction documents on behalf of the Cohen & Steers investing entities, specifically private funds and non-traded REITs.
  • Directly advise and interface with senior management, governance and other internal committee, business partners, key clients, and outside counsel.
  • Oversee and manage outside counsel on public registration and public filing requirements for non-traded REIT
  • Partner with Cohen & Steers’ compliance department to ensure regulatory obligations applicable to the private investment platform are met.
• Contribute at a senior level to investment structure, design and organization, including:
  • Prepare and review complex documents, including fund documents, subscription agreements, prospectus amendments, and credit facility documentation.
  • Assist with structure and formation of private equity funds, closed-end funds, and non-traded REITs.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Minimum of seven to ten years legal experience supporting private equity and/or real estate transactions. Relevant in-house experience a plus.
• Experience working with outside counsel and other third-party advisors.
• Significant experience with real estate transactions, strong drafting skills and extensive experience with investment fund documentation, including private placement memoranda, subscription agreements, partnership agreements, NDAs, joint venture agreements, cost sharing agreements, purchase and sale agreements, and loan documentation.
• Sophisticated knowledge of capital markets law and regulation, general M&A and joint ventures, and SEC regulations.
• Ability to manage a wide and diverse workload and contribute to a new strategic business initiative.
• Comprehensive understanding of related tax (UBTI and ECI), ERISA, and real estate issues, and working knowledge of 1933 Act (Regulation D, etc.), Investment Company Act, Investment Advisers Act, Delaware LLC and Limited Partnership law, and public plan sunshine statutes.
• Experience dealing with legal and regulatory issues relating to real estate companies, negotiating, and drafting commercial contracts, and interacting with management, clients and non-legal personnel.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with minimal supervision, and to multi-task and prioritize deadlines.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and attention to detail.
• Admission to the US bar, preferably in New York.
• Demonstrates inclusive behaviors in support of a culture that values diverse perspectives.
• Is able to abide by the firm’s hybrid work arrangement policy in New York City office (4 days in-office/1 day remote).

Note: This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The job title or duties and responsibilities may be changed by the Company at any time.