Vice President, Division General Counsel ($287,600.00 - $409,100.00)

Position Summary:

The Irvine Company is a diversified, privately held real estate operating and investment company, highly respected for its stewardship and master-planning of the Irvine Ranch in Orange County, California. Today, the Company’s real estate portfolio totals approximately 130M square feet, with a focus primarily on coastal California. Approximately 65% of the Company’s portfolio is in Orange County, with 35% in Silicon Valley, San Diego, West Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City.
 
The Company operates under a holding company structure with each of its four primary real estate operating divisions (Apartments, Office, Retail, and Community Development) functioning as wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent. While the parent provides strategic-level guidance and oversight, corporate services and support (IT, HR, Corporate Finance, Legal, Accounting, etc.), each division is staffed and managed as a fully functioning real estate operating company at scale.
 
Although privately held, the Company is managed similarly to a public company, with strong corporate governance and executive management reporting to a board of directors. The Company is structured to operate in perpetuity.

The Vice President, Division General Counsel - Apartments Division, will be responsible for providing comprehensive legal support to all facets of the Company’s Apartments Division. This position will report directly to the Company’s General Counsel and lead a team of attorneys. This position will be based within the Apartments Division offices.

Job Duties:

• Leadership and Team Development: Lead and mentor a team of attorneys and paralegals supporting the Company's Apartments division. Foster a culture of collaboration, ethical conduct, and accountability, setting the highest standards for legal excellence and responsive client service.
• Operational Legal Counsel: Provide expert day-to-day legal advice and support to Apartments division leaders on a wide range of landlord-tenant matters and on-site operating issues, including lease violations, compliance with affordable housing regulations, fair housing issues, and complex environmental concerns (e.g., Proposition 65, mold, radon, asbestos, vapor mitigation).
• Policy and Procedure Development: Collaborate strategically with business teams to develop and implement legally compliant operating procedures and policies, ensuring seamless integration with business objectives and risk mitigation.
• New Development and Reinvestment Support: Offer comprehensive legal advice and support for new development, onboarding of new apartment communities post-construction, and significant pipeline of major capital and reinvestment projects, including the enforcement of contractor warranty claims and adherence to relevant statutes, such as SB 721.
• Training Program Administration: Design, develop, and manage the administration of legally compliant training programs for operating personnel, enhancing their understanding of legal requirements and best practices.
• Lease Document Management: Continuously review, update, and refine lease documents, related forms, notices, and other agreement templates to ensure ongoing compliance with evolving legal developments and industry standards.
• Legislative Impact Analysis: Collaborate with the Company’s corporate affairs group to analyze the operational impacts of new legislation. Proactively advise the Apartments division on new laws and other legal developments that could affect business operations, ensuring proactive adaptation and compliance.
• Litigation Management and Oversight: Strategically manage and oversee all aspects of tenant litigation, including breach of lease, habitability claims, ADA claims, FHA/HUD claims, and class actions. This includes the efficient management and oversight of outside counsel services and expenses, ensuring cost-effectiveness and favorable outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications / Other Expectations:

Education & Experience:

• Graduate of a regionally or nationally recognized law school.
• 10-15 years of practice experience with increasing responsibility.
• 5+ years of experience in private practice at a leading law firm preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in representing multi-family clients or other substantial landlord/tenant experience is preferred. 
• Experience with construction law issues is preferred.

Certifications:

• Admitted to California Bar

Other:

• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and intellectually challenging environment
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the capacity to simultaneously manage multiple matters, effectively direct outside counsel, communicate proactively with internal clients, and consistently deliver timely results
• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build and maintain robust relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing legal risks and adeptly navigating complex legal challenges
• Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and reporting skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel and Google Docs and Sheets