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Job description
Vertex Hospitality is seeking a Real Estate Counsel to lead and support all legal aspects of the company’s real estate portfolio. This role will primarily be responsible for structuring, reviewing, and negotiating commercial leases and related agreements, while proactively identifying and mitigating legal and operational risks. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in retail or restaurant leasing and can partner effectively with operations, finance, and franchise stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Draft, review, and negotiate commercial leases, amendments, renewals, and terminations
Lead and support Letters of Intent (LOIs), ensuring alignment with business and financial objectives
Partner with internal stakeholders to structure favorable lease terms, including rent, CAM, tenant improvement allowances, and use clauses
Oversee execution of agreements (lease, MSAs, etc) and maintain consistency across multiple brands and locations
Serve as the primary legal point of contact in negotiations with landlords and their counsel
Advise on deal structure and risk allocation in lease negotiations
Support resolution of landlord-tenant disputes, including defaults, notices, and enforcement actions
Review and advise on a broad range of real estate-related legal documents, including: Guarantees, Estoppels and SNDAs
Vendor and construction-related agreements
Identify legal risks and provide proactive, business-oriented solutions to mitigate exposure
Develop standard templates, clauses, and playbooks to ensure consistency and reduce risk
Monitor lease compliance and advise on potential defaults or breaches
Draft and respond to legal notices, including default and cure communications
Partner with external counsel as needed for escalated disputes or litigation
Provide clear, practical legal guidance to non-legal stakeholders
Support new store development and expansion initiatives across multiple brands
Establish and maintain organized lease documentation and tracking systems
Create scalable processes to support a growing, multi-brand portfolio
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company standards
Qualifications
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
Active bar membership in good standing (or ability to register as in-house counsel)
3–7+ years of experience in commercial real estate law (retail/restaurant experience strongly preferred)
Strong experience negotiating commercial leases and LOIs
Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives in a fast-paced environment
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex legal concepts
Highly organized with strong attention to detail
Bilingual Mandarin required.
Total Compensation Package: $200,000-$250,000/year
Worksite address
queens, NY, 11417, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.