Legal Counsel - Real Estate

In this role, you will work within one of the leading Data Centre providers, undertaking critical strategic work relating to their expansions within EMEA. They require an accomplished Real Estate Lawyer looking to go in-house, coming with at least five years post qualified experience.

The Company

This company is a leading Data Centre provider headquartered in the US with recent expansion into the European Markets, including their new HQ in London. In addition, they are looking to add to their EMEA legal team based in London.

The Role: Corporate Counsel, Real Estate - EMEA

A large scaling-up operation is happening in the US and Europe with recent land acquisitions across the continents.
They are looking for a Corporate Counsel (London based with Hybrid Working) to be responsible for:

• Providing legal advice and corporate governance in support of Site Selection and Acquisition teams in purchasing property suitable for hyper-scale data centre development across EMEA.
• This position involves managing, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of legal documents related to site acquisition activities.
• Managing legal due diligence for each specific target market and instructing and coordinating with external law firms supporting these activities.

Essential functions:

• Providing practical, proactive, business-focused, solutions-oriented and sound legal advice that enables the business to achieve its business and strategic objectives whilst fully and appropriately managing legal risk.
• Comprehensive legal support to and collaboration with the site acquisition team on all matters, including complex business transactions, governance and contract management and instructing and management of outside counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
• Relevant legal activities with all stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions.
• Play a key part of the Legal team in its delivery of high-quality legal services and risk management,

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for legal work and instructing of outside counsel associated with site selection and acquisition.
• Structure, review, draft and negotiate various documents, including vendor contracts, sale and purchase agreements, amendments, NDAs and exclusivity, and other agreements.
• Support global legal strategy for commercial contracts, including contract management and governance and maintain organisation of all real estate and site selection legal documents.
• Providing timely day-to-day support across all functions within the group, in particular, related to acquisition and development
• Ensuring external advice is fit for purpose and any advice is understandably communicated to the business.
• Attend negotiations with the business and third-party vendors, such as land owners, landlords, real estate brokers and third-party technical professionals.
• Assist with legal due diligence efforts
• Coordinate with external counsel on regulatory and other legal requirements for real property acquisition across targeted markets
• Develop and maintain knowledge of laws for real property acquisitions in targeted markets.
• Assist with preparation of standard forms and templates
• Coordinate with the Finance team on insurance and tax requirements related to site acquisition and development.
• Support the Legal department in continuous improvement initiatives and standardising working practices across the region.

Requirements:

• Qualified England & Wales Solicitor
• Minimum of 5+ years post qualification experience with a leading law firm or in-house legal team.
• Extensive real estate experience
• Good knowledge of and experience in commercial real estate/property transactions. Familiarity with various forms of acquisition-related agreements and arrangements, such as Sale and Purchase, Leasehold and Development agreements and share purchase vehicles.
• Familiarity with end-to-end acquisition transactions.
• Knowledge of planning/zoning and related laws, regulations and procedures would be helpful but not necessary.
• Exceptional drafting and negotiation skills
• Experience working in multiple jurisdictions preferred.

This is an excellent position for a Corporate Counsel 5+ PQE to join and work for this global, rapidly expanding company from the City of London (hybrid working available, three days in the office two from home).

Please apply for immediate consideration.